Some folks have asked if I'm going to do a data dump, but I haven't felt like going through the work of saving it off and uploading it. Instead, I thought I'd put together a quick guide to finding those passing plays with big play potential.
All of these plays are SHORT passing plays. They are designed to really be drive starters, but they have receivers that can break open. There are a few other effective short passing plays that I haven't included, but I didn't include them because they don't have the big play potential. I also included plays that I would avoid in 4.6.
Quick thing on big play receivers. You need a receiver that has near perfect B&R Avoid and good speed. With raising the 0 speed floor in 4.6 - I have a post about this somewhere - B&R Avoid became the most important receiver skill since B&R is rolled to slow receivers down. After B&R, route and speed are equally nice, but gone are the days where CBs fell down every play for no reason despite having 100 B&R.
Best Overall Books
- Run Focused (104 Singleback Normal, 113 Singleback Normal, 113 Slot Strong, 203 I Formation 3WR, 212 Twins) [WR, TE offenses]
- Pass Focused (113 Shotgun, 113 Singleback Normal, 212 Twins) [TE only offenses]
- Gen Balanced (104 Singleback, 113 Shotgun, 113 Singleback, 203 I Formation 3WR) [RB, WR offenses]
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5 Parallel Slants
Primary target: WR5(59.4% target)
Big Play: WR2 (~13.5% target), WR3(~12.8% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: The WR5 drag is kind of lame. Easily shut down by most quarter and dime defenses. Big play targets have < 60% catch rate.
104 Quick Outs
Primary target: WR3 (58.9% target)
Big play: WR3, WR4(21.2% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: It has a low completion percentage, but it makes up for it in yards gained.
113 Shotgun FL Slants
Primary target: RB1 (39.7% target)
Big Play: WR2 (18.9% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: The WR2 is the 4th read on this play and the other three reads ****. It still clocks in at 1/5 attempts going for a chance of big yards.
113 Shotgun Flare
Primary target: RB1 (47.8%)
Big Play: everyone else
Why you shouldn't use this play: There is no reason to not use this play.
113 Shotgun TE Out
Primary Target: TE1 (57% target)
Big Play: TE1
Why you shouldn't use this play: You don't like TEs?
113 Shotgun Normal Slot Drag
Primary target: WR3 (65% target)
Big Play: WR1 (26.5% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: The WR3 is only going to gain 3 yards. Is it worth the 1/4 gamble?
113 Singleback Normal Quick Slant
Primary target: RB1 (65.9% target)
Big Play: Everyone else
Why you shouldn't use this play: The main route on this sucks. Your RB1 is going to average 1 yard per catch, and the other completion percentage to the other targets is not great. The biggest play opportunity is the WR1 (6.4% target).
113 Singleback Normal SE Quick Hit
Primary targets: RB1 (37.3% target) and WR2 (31.2% target)
Big Play: Everyone else
Why you shouldn't use this play: The two co-primary targets have awful YPC averages. The WR3 and TE have decent catch percentages though, so if you want to grind, it's not the worst play for it's 1/3 chance of targetting a big play.
113 Singleback Normal TE Quick Out
Primary target: TE1 (55.8% target)
Big play: TE1, WR2 (14.1% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: You don't have a TE on your roster?
113 Singleback Normal WR Quick In
Primary target: WR2 (63% target)
Big Play: WR2
Why you shouldn't use this play: This play should be a staple.
113 Singleback Slot Strong TE Slot Curls
Primary target: WR3 (53.7% target)
Big Play: WR2 (22.1% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: The primary target on this play has an awful completion percentage because the middle of the field gets clogged up. If you can figure out how to make that work, it may be worth using. Otherwise, avoid.
122 Singleback Big Ins and Outs
Primary target: TE2 (31.4% target)
Big Play: Everyone
Why you shouldn't use this play: You really, really, really hate TEs and don't use overrides.
203 I Formation 3WR PA Fullback Flat
Primary target: FB (40.2% target)
Big Play: WR2 (21% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: This play tanked in 4.6. The FB YPC dropped significantly probably because RBs stay in to block. The WR2 is the third look on this play, and the second look isn't better than the FB. Avoid.
203 I Formation 3WR WR Out
Primary target: WR2 (42.9% target)
Big Play: WR3 (31.2% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: You should use this play. Moving on.
203 Split Backs 3 Wide WR Quick Out
Why you shouldn't use this play: Somehow the big play receiver - the WR2 - became the fifth read on this play. Do not use it like you did in 4.5.
212 I Formation Normal FL Hitch
Primary target: WR1 (46.4% target)
Big Play: WR2 (26.4% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: The bane of 4.5. You should continue to use this, but it doesn't produce broken plays like it used to.
212 I Formation Normal PA Fullback Flat
Primary target: FB (52.3% target)
Big Play: WR2 (11.7% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: Avoid this play like the 203 version for all the same reasons. FB target is not worth it, and the WR2 was reduced to the third look.
212 I Formation Twin WR Hard Slants
Primary target: TE (48.9% target)
Big Play: Everyone
Why you shouldn't use this play: Use it.
212 I Formation Twin WR Quick Outs
Primary target: TE (47.0% target)
Big Play: Everyone
Why you shouldn't use this play: Use it.
221 Strong I Big Backfield Drag
Primary target: FB (57.5% target)
Big play: TE2 (14.3% target) [really everyone else]
Why you shouldn't use this play: See above about how FB routes ****. If you can live with getting 3 yards roughly 60% of the time your player catches it, it can be worth it. Save for short yardage and try to catch your opponent napping.
311 I Formation Power PA Flats
Primary target: TE (66.9% target)
Big play: WR1 (14.9% target)
Why you shouldn't use this play: This play used to always be about the FB2, but like most backfield routes it's not effective anymore. If you have a good TE, you can save this play for short yardage and hope that your WR1 breaks loose.
Last edited at 7/10/2023 9:02 pm
