10 Best Madden 25 Offensive Playbooks, Ranked

In Madden 25, having a great offense is the surest way to win games and have as much fun as possible. Still, no matter how good your offensive players are, you’ll never truly get the nest out of them if you don’t have a good offensive playbook. Just like in real life, there are several different playbooks to choose from in Madden 25. Here are some of the best you should try the next time you play Madden 25.

10 Best Madden 25 Offensive Playbooks

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks playbook has one formation that can only be found within their playbook in Madden 25: The Gun Normal Flex Snug formation. This exclusive formation makes this playbook worth your time as you line up with a formation you can’t find anywhere else in Madden 25. This formation’s exclusivity within this playbook earned it a place on this list. However, there’s so much more to this playbook.

The Seahawks’ playbook is great against defenses that have difficulty dealing with spread formations and misdirection plays. Despite its versatility, the Seahawks’ playbook is weak against man-to-man defensive formations or formations that possess strong pass-rush capabilities, so keep that in mind during playcalling to mitigate these weaknesses.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• Single Back Bunch X Nasty: Great for both passing and running plays.
• Pistol Trips: Offers flexibility in play-calling
• Gun Bunch TE: Effective in both short and deep passing scenarios.
• Gun Empty Tray Stack: An excellent formation for exposing coverage schemes and exploiting man-on-man mismatches.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: This playbook requires a dual-threat QB with substantial passing accuracy and mobility to unlock its true potential.
• Running Back: For your RB, you should look for versatility, a player who can run between tackles and catch passes out of the backfield. A player like this would thrive here due to the diverse play calling.
• Wide Receiver: Your receivers must have precise route-running capabilities and enough pace to create significant separation. These attributes are essential for formations like the Singleback Bunch X Nasty, which demands precise route timing.
• Tight End: Your TE must be effective at blocking and competent at receiving, particularly in formations like the Gun Bunch TE.

New England Patriots

The Patriots’ playbook offers a more subtle grind to victory. It is pass-heavy, with short-medium passing routes, quick decision-making, and the ability to spread the opposing defense. With pacey passes to your receivers, constant possession, and keeping the pressure on the opposing defense, this formation frustrates your opponents to their defeat. Remember, while this playbook has numerous effective pass-heavy plays, a defensive setup with excellent pass coverage or effective pass rush capabilities can mess up the timing of your plays, which is very important for the success of the Patriots playbook. Also, as this playbook relies heavily on passing, you will struggle to establish a consistent running game.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• Singleback Ace Slot: This formation places two tight ends on the line, providing a balanced setup for passing and running plays.
• Shotgun Bunch: Excellent for quick passes and exploiting mismatches in the defense.
• Shotgun Y Off Trips Pats: This formation provides versatility and unpredictability with various route combinations.
• Pistol Tight Y Off Flex: This formation allows you to add deception to your play-action passes and inside runs.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: To maximize this playbook’s emphasis on short—to medium-range passing routes, you need a quarterback with impressive accuracy and quick decision-making.
• Wide Reciever: To thrive, your WRs must have excellent route-running skills and reliable hands.
• Tight End: Your TEs must be capable of pulling off incredible blocks and providing reliable passing options. This is especially required for formations like the Singleback Ace Slot.
• Running Back: To improve your offense’s flexibility and effectiveness, you need RBs who can serve as effective check-down options and possess impressive pass protection.

Run N’ Gun 

The Run n’ Gun playbook is the best way to get cheap yardage and inch towards points on the board. This playbook is most effective against zone defenses as it is excellent for creating mismatches with the diverse formations it contains. Run n Gun is especially great for spread passes, which force defenses to cover more ground. This, in turn, opens up opportunities for quick passes and yards. Ultimately, it is very effective, and the results can’t be argued against.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• Shotgun Bunch Quads: An excellent formation for creating mismatches and confusion for defenses.
• Shotgun 5WR Trio: A fantastic formation that uses five wide receivers to spread opposing defenses thin. It is excellent for quick slants, outs, and exploiting mismatches against linebackers.
• Singleback Bunch X Nasty: This formation is versatile for running and passing plays, making it challenging for defenders to anticipate your routes.
• Pistol Bunch TE: This formation gives you flexibility in play-calling, which keeps your opponents guessing.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: For this playbook to work at its best, your quarterback must be a signal caller with quick decision-making and impressive accuracy in short to medium throws.
• Wide Reciever: The formations in this playbook are great at creating space. You need quick receivers who can exploit those spaces.
• Running Back: To further enhance the element of unpredictability, you should line up with versatile RBs who are excellent at pass protection and can still be relied on as extra receiving options.

Detroit Lions 

The Detroit Lions offensive playbook is a bit of a hidden gem in that the value of this playbook doesn’t immediately jump out at you at first glance. However, if you know what you’re looking at, you’ll quickly realize just how good this playbook can be. When done right, formations like the Gun Empty Bunch Open and the Gun Doubles are challenging to stop, even for the best defenses.

These formations are excellent against defenses that struggle to cover multiple receiving threats. With this playbook, your offense has the double threat of intense running and dynamic passing plays, keeping most defenses off balance. However, as it requires precise tweaking before you can indeed start to reap the benefits, it is not suitable for beginners. Also, if you rely too heavily on certain formations, your movies may begin to become predictable, so switch it up as much as you can.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• Gun Trips TE: Great for creating vertical and underneath route opportunities by placing three receivers on one side and a tight end on the line.
• Singleback Doubles: Effective for inside runs and quick passes with two wide receivers on each side.
• I-Form Pro: Great for power running plays and play-action passes.
• Strong I Close: By placing a tight end and full back close to the line, this formation gives you improved blocking for inside runs and quick passing options.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: Your QB must have a strong presence in the pocket and the ability to read defenses quickly.
• Running Back: Your RB must be capable of running between tackles and catching passes out of the backfield.
• Wide Reciever: Your receiver must be fast enough to create separation and have precise route-running skills.
• Tight End: Your TE must be capable of impressive blocks while serving as an extra receiving option.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ playbook is the best to use when playing online, as most players only want to throw as much as possible. This playbook allows you to absorb pressure and take a few hits on running plays before hitting back in a big way, like sacrificing pawns in chess. You’re completely covered due to the scoring capabilities Mahomes and Kelce offer the team.

Best Formations In This Playbook

Bunch TE: By placing three receivers in a tight bunch on one side and the tight end next to them, this formation creates defensive mismatches and confuses the opposing defense.

Y Off Trips Nasty: This Chiefs exclusive formation offers versatility in passing and running plays.

Shotgun Tight Open: This formation evenly distributes four receivers, providing opportunities for quick passing and exploiting defensive gaps.

Singleback Bunch X Nasty: This tight setup positions receivers close to the line, making it difficult for defenders to anticipate your routes.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: This playbook’s success depends on a quarterback with a powerful arm and excellent mobility, as it features deep shots, RPOs, and extended plays that make it unique.
• Running Back: Your RB must have strong pass-catching abilities to thrive in the numerous shotgun and spread formations that make up this playbook.
• Wide Reciever: A slot WR with quick cuts and short-route expertise is crucial for underneath throws in formations like Shotgun Tight Open. You will also need a Deep Threat WR1 to stretch the defense on verticals, while a Route Runner WR2 runs intermediate and quick routes.
• Tight End: In this playbook, your TE primarily serves as a receiving option. A Vertical Threat TE can exploit mismatches against linebackers, while a Possession TE secures tough catches in traffic. Good blocking ability also helps in play-action setups.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers’ playbook contains a good mix of running and passing formations, which make up almost every meta formation in Madden. The versatility of high-level formations and plays makes this playbook great. However, it is very much a pro or expert player’s playbook and would take some learning or getting used to for people who are new to the game.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• Strong I Close: This formation enhances blocking for inside runs and provides quick passing options by bringing the tight end and fullback close to the line.
• I Form Tight: This formation is ideal for power-running plays and play-action passes.
• Singleback Bunch X Nasty: This formation keeps receivers closely packed together, making it difficult for defenders to jam them at the line. It works well against man coverage due to natural “pick” routes that create separation.
• Shotgun Tight Y Off: This formation spreads the defense while keeping the tight end close for extra blocking or quick passes.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: This playbook emphasizes precise throws, making a Field General quarterback crucial, especially in quick passing and play-action plays.
• Running Back: This playbook uses a lot of inside running, so a Power Back who can break tackles is ideal.
• Wide Reciever: Your WR1 (outside) should have good deep route running and release ability to beat man coverage. The WR2 should be a possession receiver, which is excellent for making contested catches. The Slot WR should be quick and have good short route running for underneath throws and crossing routes.
• Tight End: Your TE is crucial to this offense, especially in play-action and short passing. A Vertical Threat TE can stretch the field in formations like Shotgun Tight Y Off. Meanwhile, a Possession TE will dominate over the middle on drag and curl routes.

San Francisco 49ers 

This playbook focuses on freeing the Halfback using the Pistol and I-Form blocking schemes. It heavily uses strong, fast players to make the plays work and get the job done. If you have the right players for this playbook, you will run the opposing defense into the ground by the third quarter. It’s a fun and satisfying way to win in Madden, beating your opponents to submission with pure pace, power, and aggressive plays.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• Singleback Deuce Close: This formation is excellent for play-action, power runs, and tight-end routes.
• I Form Close: This formation is excellent for inside zone and play-action passing.
• Gun Y Off Trio Wk – If you like running RPOs, quick passes, and misdirection plays, this is your formation.
• Pistol Strong: This formation offers versatility for both inside runs and play-action rollouts.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: For this playbook to work, you need a QB with excellent short and medium throw capacity and enough mobility for rollouts and extending plays.
• Running Back: You need an agile and elusive running back who can catch passes from the backfield.
• Wide Reciever: Your WR1 must be a good route runner or deep threat with explosive speed and excellent route running. Your WR2 should focus more on possession, utilizing strong hands and awareness. Lastly, your Slot WR must be a quick separator or Route Runner who relies mainly on acceleration and agility.
• Tight End: Your TE is required to make crucial blocks while staying ready for any potential passes that may fall their way.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns playbook is a high-risk, even higher-reward sort of playbook. It’s a fun playbook that requires many moving parts to work. If you can master and use it just right, the Cleveland Browns playbook offers the most fun playing Madden 25. The Browns’ playbook revolves around a dominant run game and efficient play-action passing. It works best with a powerful RB, a competent QB, and strong blocking TEs and O-line.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• I Form Tight: This is ideal for power running and play-action passes. The tight alignment helps with strong run blocking and quick passing options.
• Singleback Bunch: This is great for short and medium passing, with crossing routes that beat man coverage. It is also helpful for screen passes and play-action rollouts.
• Gun Y Off Trio Wk: This formation is designed for RPOs, quick passes, and outside zone runs. The spread look forces the defense to respect both the run and pass.
• Strong Close: This formation is for inside zone runs and deep play-action shots. The fullback helps lead the block, making it an excellent formation for power backs.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: For this playbook, you need a QB with short and medium throw accuracy who can throw under pressure.
• Running Back: Your RB must be a powerful runner who can break tackles. A running back like that guarantees you dominate inside runs and short-yardage plays.
• Wide Reciever: You need a pacey WR capable of running deep routes and catching in traffic.
• Tight End: Your TE must be capable of run blocking and being a reliable check-down option.

Indianapolis Colts

Bunch formations are some of the most effective in Madden and have been for many years. The Colts’ playbook has a variety of highly efficient bunch formations to choose from, making it a very effective and reliable playbook for all players. It thrives on short-to-medium throws and efficient running to control the game’s tempo. The Colts’ formations are a great way to disorient opposing defenders and get some easy yards or touchdowns under the opposing team’s nose.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• Singleback Bunch: This formation dominates with short and medium passing games, crossing routes, and screens.
• Gun Tight Y Off: This formation relies on quick throws, RPOs, and spacing concepts to beat zone defenses.
• I Form Close: This formation relies on play-action and inside-zone runs with your fullback lead blocking.
• Gun Trey Open: This is a spread formation for balanced passing and running plays.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: You need a QB who can perform quick, accurate throws and execute play-action efficiently.
• Running Back: You need a versatile running back to handle inside and outside runs and contribute to the passing game.
• Wide Reciever: Your WR must have strong route running or deep threat capabilities, which is best for creating separation on deep and intermediate routes.
• Tight End: Your TE should provide solid blocking and be a reliable play-action target.

Miami Dolphins 

The Miami Dolphins’ playbook is an acquired taste. You either love it, and it works great for you, or you hate it, and it’s not for you. The Dolphins’ playbook is unique in that almost every play has auto-motion. This playbook will serve you best with a pace-loaded offense. With how many quick throws and trick plays this playbook contains, you’ll run circles around the best defenses and probably have the most fun on offense with this playbook.

Best Formations In This Playbook

• Gun Bunch: This formation is great for quick passing, crossing routes, and spacing concepts to beat man and zone coverage.
• Gun Trips TE: This formation is most effective for RPOs, quick reads, and deep shots down the seams.
• Singleback Bunch X Nasty: This is the ideal formation for balanced play-action, short passing, and inside runs.
• Gun Spread Y-Flex: This formation stretches the field horizontally for quick slants, bubble screens, and deep shots.

Best Player Archetypes for this Playbook

• Quarterback: A Field General is best for quick, accurate passing and running an efficient offense. An Improviser helps extend plays, roll out, and make throws on the run in RPO-heavy schemes.
• Running Back: A Balanced RB will serve you best for inside and outside runs while contributing to the passing game.
• Wide receiver: You need a Deep Threat or Route Runner, which is ideal for stretching the defense with speed and explosive plays.
• Tight End: A Vertical Threat TE will help attack the middle of the field and create mismatches.