Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

[Unlucky 13]

I didnt see a thread for this already, so sorry if there's one that I missed.

I'm playing on AA, default sliders. Ive played about 15 games against the CPU, against all different quality of teams. On average, I throw 2-4 picks a game, with a high of seven. The most frustrating part is that I run a very safe offense. I rarely throw deep down the field, and my offense is mostly based on comeback routes and playaction.

I want and like a challenge in the game, but in this year's game, the CPUs defenders, particularly strong safetys, seem to have an unhuman ability to change what they are doing in order to intercept a pass thrown to a reciever that they arent covering. Multiple times a game, I'll throw a pass to a reciever that should be very open, and the instant that I release the ball, a defender (again, usually a SS, but sometimes a LB) will break away from what he is doing to run to the exact spot that he needs to be in to pick the pass.

Anyone else struggling with this? IS there a way to get around it other than dumbing the CPU defense down via sliders?

Thanks!

[BleedGreen710]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

In my mind, the problem is that only defenders undercut throws and change direction to better be in position to make the play on the ball. Receivers just run their route and wait for the ball to land in their hands lol its ridiculous

[DorianDonP]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

Yeah it seems only the DBs really play the ball/run towards the ball/have awareness that a ball is in their vicinity. Receivers act like idiots in comparison, letting balls hit them in the head or running by while the corner/safety jumps for the ball.

I lower both the CPU and User INT to around 25 to limit high numbers of picks every game. It results in lot of dropped picks from both sides but it's better than the alternative IMO.

[Speedy_Bronco]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

I used to throw a ton of picks.

But most of those came off of curl routes where defenders would just run in front of the receivers on man coverage. I waited too long, on curl routes, you throw when the receiver begins to curl. Not after. And I fell victim.

Now I only throw picks on stupid throws. Which I think is fair, if I'm gonna throw terrible balls, they deserve to get picked off.

Are you just getting picked in general? Or are they just coming on throws that you aren't realizing that will always lead to picks?

[DataBull]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

They seem legit this year, though. For the moment I am chalking it up to the fact that we got used to absolutely dreadful safety play, and now the safeties are doing their job. When I throw to open receivers, I don't get picked.

Also, I've found that on even some medium throws I need to lob it more. I had gotten used to zipping most throws on a line last year.

I'm not complaining, it's the only thing defenses do halfway decent this year, and it isn't ridiculous super linebackers or psychic DBs. They are actually in a position to make the play.

Incidentally, I've found that some receivers will generally win the battle with a DB while others will sit there and watch the DB intercept it. I'm not sure if that is awareness, but some skill or another has an impact in that regard.

[Unlucky 13]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

Are you just getting picked in general? Or are they just coming on throws that you aren't realizing that will always lead to picks?

Like anyone else, I throw stupid picks sometimes. where Im mad at myself as soon as I hit the button, but those arent what Im talking about here.

The ones that are getting to me are comback/hook routes, where the DB is playing way off of the WR, I throw the ball at a point where the DB covering the WR absolutely cannot make a play on it, and another player in the general area instantly breaks from covering his man, changes direction with inhuman ability practically defying physics, and runs 15-20 yards to the ball to make the play.

Or, alternatly, a throw to a man running a crossing route who has several steps on his man and no defender near him in the direction that he is moving. I throw the ball, its headed right to the spot it needs to be, and a player way downfield (close to the camera) breaks and runs in that direction, leaps, spinning in the air, covering way more ground than someone should be able to, and takes the ball away.

Plays that simply would not happen in real life, and in previous generations of Madden and NCAA would be safe, good decesions.

[UWfan206]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

I am also throwing lots of picks.

Last game I played with Florida offline in my dynasty threw 4 picks and my receivers dropped 9 total passes from Jeff Driskell. And I was playing against Arkansas at home in the rain...

[jbrew2411]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

I'm playing on default AA but with the interception slider at 40 for both human and CPU. I only play offline dynasty mode and have the offensive/defensive pass interference sliders at default as well. Through week 8 I have yet to throw a single pick with Georgia and have only picked off 5 myself, 3 by one player in the same game. I have never been a fan of the comeback routs in the NCAA series due to the way the receivers play the ball. I like outs, drags, and in routs the best. If you are throwing a ton of picks on comeback routs then stop running them. I also read a thread a few months back where the Offense/Defense PI sliders can cause players to play more aggressive then they should. I use to set mine at 100 but after playing Madden 13 for about 2 weeks and 30 picks later I found that thread, made a change, and saw my INT totals drop. I now leave the PI at default as well as all other penalty sliders.

[Unlucky 13]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

If you are throwing a ton of picks on comeback routs then stop running them

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but suggesting that someone quit doing something that their offensive gameplan is based upon isn't the most helpful suggestion.

[RyanLeaf16]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

Try coordinator cam. I am hardly throwing any INTs this year with that camera setting. I can see the whole field and it really made a difference. I still throw a INT here and there, but it's not often.

[jbrew2411]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but suggesting that someone quit doing something that their offensive gameplan is based upon isn't the most helpful suggestion.

It was said before that curl and comeback routs have been crap shoots in the game for a number of years. If you are seeing picks on those routs then why run them? In real life if a DB is jumping certain routs then as a coach I make adjustments. In the case of the video game we are talking about you can't do some of the things you would do in real life. I can't get my WR to give the DB a false step to get him off balance, so you have to make adjustments some way. The only way to do that is play with sliders and if that don't work then don't throw to WR's running those routs. I have been playing the NCAA series since NCAA 98 and have never had success with comebacks or curls to a point I run them multiple times a game or hot route to them, I don't run them at all.

You asked for help in cutting down your number of picks. You have made comeback and curl routs part of your game plan and to this point does not seem to work. Sometimes you have to take a second look at that game plan. So you can edit your sliders, edit your PI sliders, or just stop throwing to the guys running those routs.

[john1842msu]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

I throw a lot of INTs as well. The default sliders are way too high for CB and safeties catching ability. If you lower INT slider to 35, they will still play great defense but will simply drop 1/2 of the tough INT attempts. They will still regularly catch the INT's that you throw right to them.

[Speedy_Bronco]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

Like anyone else, I throw stupid picks sometimes. where Im mad at myself as soon as I hit the button, but those arent what Im talking about here.

The ones that are getting to me are comback/hook routes, where the DB is playing way off of the WR, I throw the ball at a point where the DB covering the WR absolutely cannot make a play on it, and another player in the general area instantly breaks from covering his man, changes direction with inhuman ability practically defying physics, and runs 15-20 yards to the ball to make the play.

Or, alternatly, a throw to a man running a crossing route who has several steps on his man and no defender near him in the direction that he is moving. I throw the ball, its headed right to the spot it needs to be, and a player way downfield (close to the camera) breaks and runs in that direction, leaps, spinning in the air, covering way more ground than someone should be able to, and takes the ball away.

Plays that simply would not happen in real life, and in previous generations of Madden and NCAA would be safe, good decesions.

I *think* I've seen that before. Just not to the extent of what your talking about. That's how I used to throw those curl route picks. Only that the defender was actually just 5-10 yards away and was already running towards to receiver I was throwing to when I released the ball.

I'm sorry, but I really don't have any legit advice to give you. If the CPU are really teleporting to the ball when you pass.

[StoneCalf]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

I am admittedly not a very prolific passer. I have on occasional game where I'll get 250+ passing yards, but only when that's what the CPU defense is giving me and/or shutting my run down. Sometimes I will press to get a certain number if I have visiting recruit with a specific goal to meet (i.e. trying to impress), but most of the time that takes me out of my gameplan and gets me in trouble.

Here's my AA settings and results:

Human
QB accuracy 10
WR Catch 40
Pass Block 40

CPU
Pass Coverage 80
INT 25

Year 1 Dynasty = 11 TD's, 6 Int's
Year 2 Dynasty = 12 TD's, 5 Int's
Year 3 Dynasty = 4 TD's, 8 Int's (about halfway through)

Year 3, I increased difficulty and it's showing. Still, the picks I am throwing feel justified, and i don't plan on making any big changes. I need to make better decisions.

[TheBinnzer]

Re: Am I the only one throwing a huge number of picks?

Good call on dropping the WR catching ability. If you don't lower it to at least 40, WR will never drop the ball, even if they get blasted. The CPU will go 24 for 26 on that setting if you cant get any pressure.