EA Sports
Welcome to the Week 11 Madden matchup preview, where we break down the three best games of the week from the perspective of the Madden player. So pick up those controllers and get ready for some gaming action.
Last week, the Cardinals managed to hold off the Seattle Seahawks. It was a big win for Arizona, but their fans seem to suddenly think they're world-beaters and are already preparing for the parade. Pick up the sticks and play as the Bengals. Silence the "zonies" and show the world that Andy Dalton is an elite quarterback. Success in this game starts with you putting pressure on Carson Palmer. If Palmer is able to set his feet he is a top five quarterback. But if pressured, his abilities fall off a Tempe Butte sized cliff. If Mike Iupati is playing, it's going to be much harder to get to Palmer, but you can see some success by varying blitzes with linebackers and corners. If Iupati is not playing, forget varying your blitzes and aim them directly at his replacement. When you take over on offense, establish the run and look to use Tyler Eifert against the Cardinals corners and linebackers.
Washington Redskins vs. Carolina Panthers
Sticking with the theme of pulling off an upset, assume the role of the underdog and play as the Redskins in this one. In all honesty, I have no idea how the Redskins keep winning. DeSean Jackson is a shell of his former self and Alfred Morris hasn't done much for fantasy owners either. When you play this game, you are going to need to try to limit the mistakes made by Kirk Cousins and need to set yourself up so you aren't in any third-and-long situations. On defense, you need to make sure that Greg Olsen is covered well. Make the Panthers garbage wide receiving core beat you. If you can contain Cam's scrambling, you should walk away with the win.
I would not have thought that I would be writing about how you'd need to play as the Packers to try to right the ship against a red-hot Vikings team. Do your best to try to pull things together defensively in this matchup. It's going to be tough to try to stop this Vikings team with the Packers' dumpster-fire defense. Your first objective will be to stop Adrian Peterson, which is going to be about as difficult as it sounds. If you can force the Vikings into third-and-long situations, make sure that your defense is keyed in on Stefon Diggs, who is the only real passing threat. On offense, you can try to solve the anomaly that is Eddie Lacy. Give the ball to Lacy or James Starks and pray that they are able to fall forward for some positive yards. Don't expect too much against a stingy Vikings defense.
