Improving CPU QB Logic Can Fix A Lot Of Corresponding Gameplay Issues

I’m a frequent CPU vs CPU gameplay player of Madden and have been for years since 2016 when I started up my CPU vs CPU league called the Relocation Football League (RFL). So having done full seasons year to year since then of every game (over 250+ fully simmed games a year), I have a ton of experience in the games fundamental style of play.

One position that can fix a lots of the gameplay issues is QB. 9/10 if you have the QB behaving properly in a close to realistic fashion, the gameplay is amazing to watch.

Unfortunately the programming issues that I see frequently plague the game with that position are issues with these situations below:

1.) Not throwing the ball away when a play is completely covered and the pass rush is closing in. In general I feel this is the biggest issue with them not getting the ball out enough, just to avoid a sack. You guys have a trait for this but it isn’t as prevalent. The guys with this trait should be looking to get rid of it when pressure is there without open options. The sense of pressure trait should determine how fast they come to that decision as intended but again, it just isn’t prevalent enough. 

• Creates less sacks

• Makes QB’s throw realistic completion percentages 

• Keeps games in realistic ranges of real life scores

2.) QB’s are too accurate. If you incorporate more throwaway passes as mentioned above, this could definitely help but they are still finding ways to complete on average 70% or more easily (in a season at that). I don’t feel that accuracy rating are playing enough of a factor in misses. Some missed passes in the NFL is intentional just to get rid of the ball but sometimes based on coverage and pass rush factors too, guys just whiff it out of range. That doesn’t happen nearly enough in-game. Ratings should definitely interfere more than they are. This also could be a factor of Defense such as Zone defense not being good enough to properly defend against the pass. Even an elite QB should be looking at finishing the season in the high 60’s to just barely touch 70-71%. 

• Stops unrealistic completion percentages

• Keeps game scores in realistic ranges

• Surprisingly enough from experience limits INTs because in some cases, due to high accuracy, QB’s will accurately throw an INT directly to a defender lol. Yea it was accurate but the defender was sitting right there 😂

2.) Not moving appropriately in the pocket based on the pressure and at times even running towards a defender, resulting in a sack. You guys have made strides with RB BCV, I would like to see that same awareness translate a bit behind the LOS for QB’s. Rarely ever do I see a QB step up in the pocket as a QB does irl and deliver a pass. The programming seems to only make them decide to run backwards or backwards first to then roll out towards the left or right. There just doesn’t appear to be much field awareness for the QB’s of the defenders rushing in.

• Limits sacks

• Will extend plays properly with good protection 

• Won’t feel like a robot is out there stiffly moving around in the pocket 

• Will simulate pocket awareness better

3.) QB’s unrealistically run backwards 10 or more yards when he knows he has no chance to escape and taking a big unnecessary sack. 

• Simulates better pocket awareness 

• Less unnecessary sacks

• Lessens too many long down situations 

4.) Non-Scrambling QB’s still not taking off when a clear lane and great pass protection presents itself. A Balanced or Pocket QB doesn’t 100% stay in the pocket. You should make the archetype and awareness in some way play a factor in the delayed time in which they decide to take that action. 

• Lessen’s sacks

• Allows realistic play extension & more manageable downs

5.) The biggest fix that can make the QB’s better is the play calling. I feel the game doesn’t adapt as much throughout the game to adjust to the appropriate gameplan. With a team struggling to stop the run, the team on short yardage situations to be more inclined to run the ball. Too frequently, especially at the goal line, PA passes are being called and resulting in sacks because of the QB issues mentioned above (Mainly because of no throwaways). Overall a deeper realistic dive into situational playcalling I believe will boost the gameplay tremendously!

• Will frustrate less people thanks to a draw play not being called every 3rd and long unless a team is trying to forfeit their drive

• Creates realistic gameplay situations & scores

• Allow appropriate players to be utilized as they would irl (Especially star players. Half the time they don’t get utilized enough).

I believe fixes to these areas will make gameplay extraordinarily better in those key areas. Not only for CPU vs CPU players like me that, yes, do exist and are growing & user players for an even greater challenge online or against the CPU.

Year by year you guys are slowly improving the gameplay to make it less bot like. You smooth these out, I believe it’ll make the game much better to play for the long haul. I’ll be dropping more feedback for other things later I feel can improve. I just want to see this game be as great as I know it can be 💯

P.S. When are we going to get the camera back behind the kicker for kicks on Slow Super-Sim Mode? 😭