Matchups are key in real football, and they are the keys to victory in Madden 13. Some players have unique abilities, and thus unique player ratings for their positions in Madden 13 that enable them to wreak havoc on the opposition.
Speed is the biggest factor involved here, and I'll focus on a few players that you must account for if you're playing against them.
If you're playing with them, and you play your cards right, you can ride these players' blazing speed to victory. Speed isn't everything in football, or in Madden, but it is definitely a huge factor.
Speed ratings in parentheses.
Quarterbacks
RG3 supplanted Vick as the fastest QB on the game this year, but all three of these signal-callers are blazing fast for the position.
Of course, Pryor's passing abilities aren't as formidable as RGIII's and Vick's, but he can still make nice plays with his legs.
In a few years of your Connected Careers, he may be the Oakland Raiders' starting QB.
When defending these speedy QBs, you must use a spy to help contain them. The difficult part about that is that the spy has to have good to great speed to perform his duties.
If you're spying RG3 with a guy whose speed rating is between 75-79, he probably won't be able to contain him. Not many teams have players on their defense with enough speed to pull this off.
If they do, that speedy player is now absent from coverage, so it creates another issue.
If you have control of the speedy QB, it's important to mix it up. Don't look to run with him every play.
If you become predictable, a decent Madden player will get hip to your simple strategy and batter your QB. This could lead to Rex Grossman or Matt Kafka being subbed into the game because of injury rather quickly.
Running Backs
We know fast running backs are threats to take handoffs and tosses the distance. That threat makes you wary of stacking your defense to one side, or in the middle against them.
If you get caught in the wrong set, it could be curtains. All a speed back needs is one great block and it'll be six points.
They are also monsters in the passing game.
Properly set-up screen plays and swing passes can go for huge gains. One route I love to use is the streak out of the backfield. This is a great hot route to use against a blitz up the middle.
If you have a back like CJ2K, sending him deep and straight up the field can turn into a big play against pressure. Because of his speed, he'll likely run straight by a LB, and even safeties.
Just loft it up with a decently accurate QB and let Johnson's speed take over.
You must beware of lurking safeties that sniff out your intentions. These plays can also turn into picks.
I included Marcel Reece in this category because his freakish 90 speed rating at FB is a real weapon for the Raiders. You can really use him as a valuable weapon in the passing game.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Devin Hester (99), DaSean Jackson (98), Mike Wallace (98), Devery Henderson (98), Jacoby Ford (98), Vernon Davis (90), Aaron Hernandez (89), Coby Fleener (88)
The burners on the outside are a problem in go routes, and slants especially. But if you allow them space after any catch, they can hurt you.
The tight ends are especially dangerous here because their speed is more of a rarity. Most linebackers don't have a prayer of running stride for stride with Davis, Hernandez and Fleener.
Their size then creates a problem for most defensive backs. Teams with big-time weapons at tight end can be the hardest to defend.
At the 4:14 and 47:40 marks of the video below you can see me use Vernon Davis to hurt an online opponent.
It was a great game.
You do need an accurate QB in this situation, though. Many times, the QB will have to place the ball in tight situations, using the Total Control Passing in Madden 13 to beat the defensive backs that match up with the tight ends.
There are so many games within the game on Madden 13, and that is just like real football. That's why I love it.
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