With Madden NFL 25 currently giving us all a reason to think about our own private Superbowls, you’re going to need a good way to stop the opposing offense in your games if you want to make it to that special Sunday. That means finding the best defensive playbooks to aid your efforts. Remember, player stats don’t count for much if you’re making bad plays.

The best defensive playbooks in Madden NFL 25

There are some strong playbooks in Madden NFL 25, but one very important element to keep in mind is what type of sliders you use in your games. The list below is currently based on defaults and player behavior in general. I’ll be working on my perfect sliders soon, and that might change things up a bit.

• Kansas City Chiefs – Yes, the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, the cool quarterback who leads their offense, but their defensive playbook gives him so many ways to drive the ball down the field. Includes great nickel plays, like the Big Nickel Over G, which offers really good adjustments and versatility to shut down a passing play, and the Dime 3-2, which is a personal favorite.
• Multiple D – The Multiple D playbook is really interesting as it probably has the strongest nickel variations in the game and includes some very solid blitz options. It also includes the Dime 3-2 which puts a lot of pressure on almost any quarterback to find good ways to get the ball where he wants it.
• The Cleveland Browns – yes, the Cleveland Browns have one of the best defensive playbooks in Madden NFL 25. That hard-nosed, no-holds-barred style of play translates well to the game, but the plays are something you can use to your advantage even when you don’t have the right players. This isn’t just limited to the Browns, but there are some great plays in the nickel and dollar that provide solid options to shut down runs and stop passing plays.

These are currently my top three defensive playbooks, but that will likely change over time as I continue to explore the game. I must also point out that playbooks are not a panacea and a lot of it comes down to the small adjustments you make based on your opponents and their behavior and patterns on the field.

How to change your playbooks in Madden NFL 25

To change your playbooks, go to “Settings” on the main screen after loading the game. The default tab should be “Game Options” and the second section is “Playbooks.” You can set your default offensive and defensive playbooks there, but you can also leave it at “Team Specific” if you want. This means you’ll end up using the specific playbook for each team you play against. This is a great way to find out what they’re like and what options they include.

I would suggest that once you have an idea of ​​what you like, you pick a playbook and stick with it for a while, as Madden has really gotten quite complicated over the years. With so many possible customizations, the impact of sliders, player skills, and more, you’re really going to want to fully explore a playbook before deciding whether or not it’s for you. If you want, you can always head to the Creation Center menu where you can customize and create your own playbook that fits your exact needs and preferences.