• Bears
• Cardinals
• Eagles
• Falcons
• Panthers
• Rams
• Saints
• Titans

Okay, let’s get into the guts of the 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3. The key to this play is a designed A-gap blitz, and the pressure typically comes from the middle LB. He’s the one who is supposed to shoot through that small lane between the center and the right guard. Occasionally, one of those outside linebackers might get free, but nine times out of ten, you’re counting on that middle guy to cause chaos. This is a brilliant way to attack a pass-happy opponent, since it often gets pressure right up the gut of the offensive line.

So, how do we make this blitz even more effective? Well, the simplest trick is to take control of that middle LB before the snap. Just move him up a couple of yards, right behind the nose tackle. By doing this, you’re shortening his path to the QB. It’s a small change, but it shaves off those crucial seconds that can be the difference between a sack and a completed pass. Once you have him positioned, let the play do its work. The guy will shoot right through that A-gap and apply pressure, and you don’t have to do anything else. This simple adjustment is a great way to improve the 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3.

There’s another smart adjustment you can make with the 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3. You can take an outside LB and put him in a curl flat zone. After you do that, you can switch off to a defender in the secondary, like a safety, to control the coverage. This gives you a five-man pass rush with an added defender in coverage, all while still getting that A-gap pressure. It’s a fantastic way to confuse your opponent, since it looks like a heavy blitz but you have a guy dropping back into a key zone. Furthermore, the defense is balanced, which helps against a variety of offensive sets.

One thing to remember about the 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3 is that the “show blitz” adjustment doesn’t work for it. Some other plays will bring your LBs right up to the line of scrimmage, but that isn’t the case with this particular play. I just wanted to point that out, so you don’t get frustrated trying to make that work. So, you have a couple of solid options here. You can run it by default and get pressure, which is a great starting point. Madden NFL 26 provides a great platform to learn and grow as a player, and this play is a perfect example.

Another way to run this is to come over to the outside LB, put him in a curl flat, and then switch back to the blitzing middle LB. You can then drop back after he shoots the gap and go after the QB yourself. The cool thing is that you still get that five-man rush with a guy dropping back into coverage, plus you get to be in control of the blitzer. This play has a lot of versatility. So whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned pro, the 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3 can really elevate your game. The pressure you can get with this is just top-notch.

The 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3 is an amazing weapon in your defensive arsenal. What is the most important thing to remember? It’s that you don’t always need to send a bunch of guys after the QB to get pressure. Instead, you can confuse the offense by having a guy come free through the A-gap. It forces a quick read and can lead to turnovers. It’s all about creating chaos and forcing your opponent to make a mistake. Therefore, having a go-to play like this is essential to being a good defensive player in Madden NFL 26.

• Manually Adjust the Blitzing LB: Take control of the middle LB and manually move him up right behind the nose tackle before the snap. This shortens his path and provides quicker, more consistent pressure on the QB.
• Watch the Offensive Line: Observe your opponent’s offensive line protection. If they slide protection away from the A-gap, this blitz has an even higher chance of succeeding. Use the 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3 after you have scouted your opponent’s tendencies.
• Mix in Coverage Adjustments: Don’t just run the blitz raw every time. Consider putting an outside LB in a curl flat or other zone to add more coverage defenders. This makes the play unpredictable and prevents your opponent from easily countering it.
• Control a Secondary Defender: Once the blitz is set, immediately switch to a DB or safety. This gives you manual control over a coverage player, allowing you to react to quick passes or scramble attempts.
• Do Not Use ‘Show Blitz’: As we mentioned, this adjustment does not work with this specific play. Trying to use it will not bring your linebackers up and could actually mess up the play’s timing.

• Middle LB: Look for a fast, athletic LB with high pursuit and block shedding ratings. These skills will allow him to shoot the A-gap effectively and get to the QB quickly. Speed is the most important attribute.
• Outside LBs: High speed and agility are crucial here, especially if you plan to manually put them in zones or rush the QB. Their ability to quickly react and change direction is key to the play’s versatility.
• Defensive Tackles: While they aren’t the primary blitzers, strong DTs with good finesse or power moves can occupy the offensive linemen, creating a clearer lane for the blitzing middle LB.

Q: Why is the 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3 so effective?

A: This play is highly effective because it generates A-gap pressure from the middle linebacker, often catching the offensive line off guard. The default setup is solid, and with small adjustments, it can be made even more potent. Ultimately, this play works because of its simplicity and effectiveness. It’s just a great Madden NFL 26 play.

Q: How do you defend against the Hot Blitz 3?

A: Defending against this blitz requires quick reads and a smart offensive line. Using play-action to slow down the blitzing LB or throwing a quick screen pass can beat the pressure. Sliding the offensive line protection towards the blitzing side is another viable option. If you are playing against someone who is using the 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3, this is how you beat them.

Q: Does the ‘show blitz’ adjustment work with this play?

A: No, the ‘show blitz’ adjustment does not work with this specific play. It won’t bring the linebackers up close to the line of scrimmage as it might in other defenses. You have to manually adjust the middle linebacker to get the quicker pressure.

Q: Can I get pressure without adjusting the middle linebacker?

A: Yes, absolutely. The play is designed to bring A-gap pressure by default. The adjustment of bringing the linebacker up is simply a way to get that pressure slightly faster. The play works as intended even with no user adjustments. It’s a great play for beginners for that reason alone.

Q: What player skills are most important for this blitz?

A: You’ll want a fast, athletic middle LB who can shoot the gap. It’s also helpful to have speedy OLBs who can get to the QB from the edge if they manage to get loose. Agility and speed are key for the blitzing players. This is where having a good talent evaluator comes into play. You’ve got to have the right personnel for this type of play.

Well, there you have it. The 3-3-5 Penny: Hot Blitz 3 is a fantastic defensive play that can completely change the way you attack the QB in Madden NFL 26. Whether you run it by default or use some of the quick, easy adjustments we discussed, this play can generate consistent A-gap pressure. It forces your opponent to make quick decisions, which often leads to turnovers or sacks. This play is a classic for a reason, and it’s a perfect example of how a simple, well-executed play can be more effective than a complicated one.

Now, go on and dominate!