In Madden 26, the ability to generate consistent one-play touchdowns is one of the most decisive offensive advantages a player can possess. Among the game’s most reliable explosive concepts is PA Verticals from the Gun Bunch Tight End formation-an alignment available only in select playbooks such as the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Benkert’s Dimes. When executed correctly, PA Verticals can score against virtually every zone coverage shell and even specific man-coverage structures. This article provides a structured, instructional walkthrough of how to install, adjust, and fully optimize this meta play, whether you are building a competitive roster through grinding or choosing to buy Madden 26 coins to accelerate your team development.

Core Setup and Pre-Snap Requirements

Before detailing the coverage-by-coverage reads, the base operation of the play must be established. First, set Coaching Adjustments → Auto Pass Protection → Base; this ensures the offensive line maintains stable protection rules and prevents unintended rollouts. Next, block the running back. Without this, the built-in play-action rollout can pull the quarterback into pressure or expose the pocket edge to unblocked rushers. Blocking the running back also creates cleaner spacing for the downfield routes.

The universal setup involves three adjustments:

1. Tight End (A/Y) – Place him on a corner route.

2. B Receiver (outside bunch WR) – Put him on a streak.

3. Optionally – “Custom stem” the Y/slot receiver down to accelerate his crossing angle and prevent collision issues versus pressure fronts.

This simple structure is the backbone of the play and supports every zone-beating variation.

Beating Cover 2 Zone

Against Cover 2, the streak from the B receiver serves a critical purpose by pulling the deep half safety vertically. As that safety expands, the inside vertical route gains a clean runway to split the safeties. Although it appears the streak might be the primary read, it is actually a manipulator, clearing space for the inside receiver to break open directly up the seam. The result is a consistent one-play score if the ball is delivered with a firm bullet pass.

Beating Cover 3 Sky and Match Variants

Against both Cover 3 Sky and matching Cover 3 concepts, the same adjustments apply. The key is understanding how the streak isolates the free safety. As the safety widens or backpedals to respect the vertical outside threat, the crossing receiver gains grass across the middle. Custom-stemming the route helps ensure he reaches the open window before pressure forces the quarterback off his spot. In match Cover 3, the pattern-matching safety attempts to track the crossing receiver, but the vertical stretch eliminates his ability to close in time, yielding another high-percentage explosive play.

Exploiting Cover 4 Quarters and Palms

PA Verticals is especially punishing against match-based Cover 4 structures. When the offense aligns three eligible receivers to the bunch side, one of the deep safeties is forced to match the vertical route from the B receiver-even though that assignment originates on the opposite side of the formation. This creates extreme leverage loss; the safety must navigate across the entire field, which leaves the streak wide open long before he can recover. This same behavior appears in both Cover 4 Quarters and Cover 4 Palms, simplifying the identification and execution process for players who struggle to distinguish between match principles on the fly.

Cover 6 and Cover 9 Rotations

Cover 6 and Cover 9 blend half-field Cover 2 rules with half-field Cover 4 rules. To exploit them, identify which side of the defense is playing the Cover 2 half—typically revealed by the cornerback aligned closer to the line of scrimmage. Run the bunch toward that side. The identical streak-and-corner combination generates the same cross-field stress on the deep defenders, giving the B receiver another uncontested sideline fade for a touchdown.

Non-Matching Cover 4 and Adjusted Reads

Against Cover 4 Drop or opponents who manually disable matching by shading underneath, one modification is recommended: hot-route the slot receiver to a true post and stem him upward. This creates sharper separation and ensures he clears the deep safety’s leverage cleanly. When delivered with proper timing, the post route once again produces a straightforward one-play touchdown.

Adjustments Versus Man Coverage

The standard setup works against Cover 2 Man, provided the slot receiver is not forced into a heavy press animation. The defender typically attempts to press but cannot establish leverage, allowing the receiver to release cleanly up the seam.

Against Cover Zero, a separate approach is required. Convert the tight end to a stick-nod, motion him outward briefly, then motion him back to flip the play. Block-and-release the running back so his defender is held shallow rather than dropping. This isolates the tight end for a decisive break that routinely wins for a score.

Against Cover One, shorten the left-side routes to avoid traffic and put the running back on a wheel. This isolates him against linebackers or man-assigned safeties, creating a high-value sideline fade that can convert into another explosive gain.

With disciplined adjustments and a clear understanding of how each coverage reacts to the vertical stretch, PA Verticals from Gun Bunch TE becomes one of the most complete and efficient one-play-touchdown concepts in Madden 26, especially for players looking to maximize value on the field without relying on expensive roster upgrades or cheap Madden 26 coins to stay competitive.