Yeah the tables kind of turn = offense is actually really really hard to pull off. You can't get away with a garbage QB as easily as you used to. IN this game, good QB's are much more valuable than the NES version. You're going to have to throw into coverage and good QB's can complete balls to WR/TE's with LB's on them. That's an important tool. I'm starting to think I need to just bomb it out when a guy guesses run and plays deep defense with a linebacker. I need to just challenge him and use my guy's receiving skills.
EDIT: You can still zig-zag in this game, but not everyone can do it. You need a quick player and ideal positioning to zig-zag. Power running is still here and it's very very fun.