If you're looking to air things out, we really like the Chiefs' playbook because it has a ton of deep passes to take advantage of Patrick Mahomes' cannon and Tyreek Hill's speed. This is our go-to when we want to bomb passes down the field.
For run-heavy teams we have a few options. If you have a mobile QB like Lamar Jackson, the Ravens' playbook is a good choice because it has so many designed QB runs. If you're running a more standard running attack, the Browns' playbook is our playbook of choice.
Finally, for a more balanced approach we like both the Patriots and Raiders' playbooks. With the Pats building around Cam Newtown, they have some nice run options to shake things up, while also providing great mid-range passing. Meanwhile, the Raiders have almost every formation you could want, making them very versatile.
Best Defensive Playbooks
| Team | Style it's Good For |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3-4 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3-4 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 4-3 |
| New England Patriots | Balanced |
| Alternate 46 | Balanced |
Depending on the defensive front you want to run, you have several good playbook options available. For players looking to run a 3-4 base front, we like both the Bucs and Steelers. The Bucs make use of fast linebackers who can quickly cover the field, while the Steelers' playbook comes with all kinds of different sets that you counter the offense.
On the 4-3 side of things, you probably want to go with the Vikings. They do a great job of getting use out of that four-man front. It's probably not going to be the playbook you use online, but it's a good option for Franchise mode.
For us, the go-to defensive playbook is going to be the Alternate 46 playbook. It gives you several different nickel sets to work with, while letting you bring heavy pressure. Like many, we really love the Big Nickel package. It's been the competitive standard for a bit now and nothing seems to have changed. If you don't want to go with an Alternate book, the Pats' playbook also gives you that versatility.
