Blockers with this ability reduce a rusher's chances of using a quick block shed move while run blocking.

Blockers with this ability reduce a rusher's chances of using a quick block shed move while pass blocking.

Ballcarriers with this ability are effective at recovering from attempted tackles regardless of their current stamina.

Defenders with this ability have a greater chance of forcing fumbles when landing Perfect Hit Sticks

Defenders with this ability have a larger timing window for landing Perfect Hit Sticks

Ballcarriers with this ability retain more of their forward momentum during tackles while travelling at high speeds.

Recover faster from broken tackles when carrying the ball and avoid stumbling when running into other players

Blockers with this ability reduce an edge pass rusher's chances of using a quick block shed move

The most devastating defensive players often excel via versatility. When they enter the zone; they have an increased chance of defeating pass blocks; and knocking catches loose.

Raw power can often be a pass rusher's greatest weapon. When these players enter the zone; this ability increases their win rate and block shed speed even vs. double team blocks.

Receivers with pure route running are like artists. When in the zone; their route can be built before the snap

Some athletes defy classification as much as they defy boundaries. When they enter the zone; they are highly likely to win the first interaction they have with a defender.

The best defenders are capable of dismantling an offense like they knew the playcall the whole time. When they enter the zone; they can see offensive play art via coach cam.

Bottleneck defenders realize that the best way to stop a route is to act early. When they enter the zone; they are highly likely to dominantly win any man press encounter.

Not all receivers need fancy footwork. When they enter the zone; they have increased success chance on stiff arm and truck attempts following the catch.

Truly devastating receiving threats are the ones that catch and can't be caught. When they enter the zone; they have increased fakeout rates on spin/juke/hurdle after the catch.

The best physical receivers don't just come down with the ball; they carry it home. When they enter the zone; they are nearly guaranteed to break their first post-catch tackle.

Vanguard players are the reason running backs thank their blockers in the postgame interview. When they enter the zone; they are nearly guaranteed dominant impact block wins.

Effective D-Line captains aren't just examples to follow; they are motivators. When they enter the zone; all opposing blockers have their resistance bars wiped out.

There are tacklers and then there are these guys. When they enter the zone any successful hit-stick  made while running towards the line of scrimmage will result in a fumble.

The most physical coverage defenders prevent catches from happening even when their target has hands on the ball. When they enter the zone; they are nearly guaranteed knockouts.

The most tenacious defenders beat their blocks by sheer force of will. When they enter the zone; their rush move attempts are free.

Elite quarterbacks are molded by endless hours of film study. When they enter the zone; they have full vision of the seconday's defensive coverage before the snap.

True legendary receivers make the impossible possible. While in the zone; they have greatly increased success rate on aggressive catches 50+ yards from the line of scrimmage.

The most effective ball carriers prioritize maintaining possession over all else. When they enter the zone; no tackles made against them will result in a fumble.

Momentum Shift players demoralize their opponents. When they enter the zone; all on field opponents are knocked out of the zone or lose any progress towards entering the zone.

When Selfless players are making plays their teammates are motivated to perform better. When they enter the zone; all on field teammates enter the zone as well.

While in the pocket; passers with this ability are almost guaranteed to break the first sack attempt by any blitzing defender

Run Stuffers can singlehandedly disrupt an offense. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their win rate and block shed speed against one-on-one run blocks.

Freight Trains are relentless runners who refuse to go down on first contact. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their chance to break the next tackle.

The game's top defenders excel in all situations. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their chance of defeating run blocks; and disrupting catches via tackles.

Some running backs have the talent to be elite receivers. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their success rate on possession and RAC catches against single coverage.

Zone Hawk defenders lock down a part of the field. When they enter the zone; this ability increases the rate of interceptions while in zone coverage.

Elite pass rushers are a mix of strength; speed; and tenacity. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their win rate and block shed speed against one-on-one pass blocks.

Some players thrive on making defenders look silly. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their fakeout rate on the next juke; spin or hurdle.

Wrecking Ball runners don't avoid contact. They create it. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their success rate on trucks and stiff arms.

The slipperiest quarterbacks are capable of exploding out of the pocket at the slightest sign of trouble. When they enter the zone; their scramble speed is increased.

Many passers use a combination mobility and aggressiveness to make big plays. When they enter the zone; they have perfect accuracy while throwing on the run.

Shutdown defenders have the talent to erase receivers from the game. When they enter the zone; their coverage is tighter and interceptions are more frequent on contested catches.

A surehanded receiver is a quarterback's best friend. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their success rate (and decreases knockout chance) on possession catches.

RAC receivers fight for every possible yard after making a catch. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their success rate on RAC catches

Aggressive receivers overpower defenders and attack the football. When they enter the zone; this ability increases their success rate on aggressive catches against single coverage.

Quarterbacks with generational arms have the power to stretch any defense to its breaking point. When they enter the zone; their maximum throw distance is increased

Successful quarterbacks stay cool and stand confidently against the blitz. When they enter the zone; all blitzing linebackers and defensive backs are highlighted. Can be bluffed.

For great quarterbacks; vision and anticipation are paramount. When they enter the zone; their first open receiver is highlighted and they ignore defensive pressure.

Accurate passers know that ball placement is the difference between a touchdown and a turnover. When they enter the zone; all passes are thrown with perfect accuracy.

Some pass rushers intimidate quarterbacks with their sheer presence. When they enter the zone; they can apply significant pressure on quarterbacks even while engaged with blockers.

The best quarterbacks learn to take calculated risks. When they enter the zone; they can't be intercepted (by AI defenders) and have increased throw speed.

Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes 20+ yards from the LoS.

Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes 10-20 yards from the LoS.

Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes less than 10 yards from the LoS.

When lined up as a tight end; players with this ability have access to four additional hot routes during pre-play adjustments; and react more promptly to playmaker inputs.

Defenders with this ability don't allow broken tackles; cause heavy fatigue penalties; and will clear a ballcarrier's progress towards entering the zone when landing a hit-stick.

When lined up as a receiver; players with this ability have access to four additional hot routes during pre-play adjustments; and react more promptly to playmaker inputs.

Defenders with this ability force more catch knockouts and react quicker in deep zone coverage; 20+ yards from the LoS.

Passers with this ability have access to four extra hot routes during pre-play adjustments; make hot routes faster; and receive more immediate playmaker reactions from WRs.

Players with this ability can detect user-controlled defenders before the snap; as well as 3rd and 4th down blitzers. Can be bluffed.

When lined up at running back; players with this ability have access to four additional hot routes during pre-play adjustments; and react more promptly to playmaker inputs.

Passers with this ability have access to four extra hot routes during pre-play adjustments and receive more immediate playmaker reactions from WRs.

Defenders with this ability can make jumping; 180-degree INTs while lurking in a zone in the middle of the field; have a greater INT rate; and don't tire after INTs.

Defenders with this ability use faster; more dominant pass rush moves while rushing from the interior of the defensive line.

Players with this ability grant improved blocking to the entire offensive line.

Kickers with this ability experience a slower kicking meter for better power and accuracy on kicks over 45 yards.

Players with this ability are harder to knock out of The Zone

On 3rd down; receivers with this ability have a better chance to win contested catches against single coverage up to 25 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Passers with this ability have perfect accuracy on any high point throws under 20 yards.

Defenders with this ability generally react much faster to receiver cut moves when in man coverage and inside the numbers

Defenders with this ability generally react much faster to receiver cut moves when in man coverage and outside the numbers

Defenders with this ability will clear a ballcarrier's progress towards entering the zone with a hit-stick tackle.

Defenders with this ability will cause heavy fatigue penalties when tackling a ballcarrier with a hit-stick tackle.

Kickers with this ability can see the entirety of the kicking arc

Players with this ability are much less likely to be fooled by WR runoffs

Players with this ability will distract defenders for longer with their runoffs

Players with this ability will frequently win impact blocks against defensive backs.

Players with this ability will recover from the effects of fatigue at an increased rate between plays.

Ballcarriers with this ability will cause increased fatigue penalties against their tackler when tackled via a non-conservative tackle.

Defenders with this ability will cause increased fatigue penalties when tackling a ballcarrier with a non-conservative tackle.

Defenders with this ability will win pass blocks when they correctly use the Guess Play adjustment to predict a pass. Incorrect guesses will result in a loss.

Passers with this ability are immune to throw penalties caused by defensive pressure while on the run

Passers with this ability are immune to throw penalties caused by defensive pressure while their feet are set in the pocket

Blockers with this ability defend against swim/club pass rush moves as if they had an additional resistance point

Defenders with this ability will frequently prevent additional yardage gains while tackling

Ballcarriers with this ability will frequently attempt to gain extra yards while being tackled

Defenders with this ability will have full vision of plays the offense has run a scaling number of times each quarter; via coach cam.

Locker room pep talks go a long way. Players with this ability can easily enter the Zone in the 2nd half.

Defenders with this ability generally react much faster to receiver cut moves when in man coverage

Defenders with this ability are highly likely to force catch knockouts against running backs

Defenders with this ability apply bonus fatigue to their target after a successful zone chuck

Pass rushers with this ability will have all of their pass rush move points restored after sacking the QB

Ballcarriers with this ability will replenish a portion of their stamina upon successfully performing any skill move

Defenders with this ability will receive dominant bull rush wins when their pass rush points are full. This consumes an additional point

Defenders with this ability will ignore one bar of blocker resistance when attempting speed pass rush moves

Defenders with this ability will ignore one bar of blocker resistance when attempting spin pass rush moves

Defenders with this ability force more catch tackle knockouts in man-to-man versus medium routes; 10-20 yards from the LoS.

Defenders with this ability will ignore one bar of blocker resistance when attempting swim/club pass rush moves

Defenders with this ability will start and 3rd or 4th down with at least half of their maximum pass rush points

Defenders with this ability are granted a free pass rush move once per play after spending a pass rush point

Defenders with this ability will grant a bonus pass rush point to all defensive linemen on any 3rd or 4th down

Defenders with this ability are less likely to increase their blocker's resistance bars when performing shed wins

Defenders with this ability are refunded a pass rush point when they successfully shed blocks

Offense

Defence

Special Teams

Blockers with this ability are almost guaranteed to win any double team block they are engaged in

Blockers with this ability have stronger protection against dominant bull rush moves attempted by defenders

Make game day every day when you buy the MVP Bundle, which includes Madden NFL 25, EA SPORTS™ College Football 25, 4600 Madden Points, and more. Get 40% off when you buy on Xbox until 12/02.

Learn More

Split image showing the Madden 25 holiday deluxe edition cover featuring Christuan McCaffrey on the left, and the College Football 25 holiday Deluxe edition on the right, featuring a collection of players entering a stadium.

EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25 Matador Notes

Matador

40% off^ the MVP Bundle