[Bondsfan]

Not sure if I just got lucky, but my defense improved immensely the last two games. Here's the strategy I used for anyone who was struggling as bad as I was:

1st down... Base defense with Man coverage, either cover 1 under, cover 2 man, etc. the cpu runs alot on 1st down and I get the best run defense with base man coverage. Even when they come put with 4 wr, they usually run, so I stay in base and stuff the run. Rarely do I blitz out of man, I usually only send the 3 down lineman and on LB out of the base 3-4.

2nd and short... Cover 2 with a blitz. If you are 2nd and short, the cpu is going to convert on 2nd or 3rd down, so your only hope is they run and you stuff it and you get lucky on 3rd n short, or you sack the qb and force a 3rd and long. A cover 2 blitz gives me the best chance for either situation.

2nd and long: cover 2 with a formation to match the number of receivers; sometimes mix in cover 2 blitz

3rd down: protect the sticks; otherwise same as 2nd and long. Lots of cover two, more likely to blitz on 3rd n long, especially blitzing a db to get the qb to throw early.

So thats the play calling strategy. I control an interior lineman on 1st down and 2nd and short, to help stuff the run. On passing downs I control a mlb to try and shut down the dumps underneath. On third and long, out of the dime, there is a play where the two slot cbs blitz. I show blitz and control one on the strong side of the field, and drop back instead. The other side gets you pressure, and the qb will throw to the strong side more likely, so the added coverage buys more time for a sack or an int.

In summary, use man on 1st down only during run defense. Use cover 2 all other downs and mix in blitzes.