Losing leads late in the 4th quarter is frustrating. We often change to pass coverage that sacrifices the pressure that earned the lead. "Shortie211" uses this defensive strategy to hang on to late game leads.
Abandoning our plan and giving up several passes that lead to a score is agonizing. Striking the right balance is tough, because offenses might block with several players when big chunks are required. The decision to change coverage to maintain a lead isn't always wise. Late leads force opponents to play against both the clock and your defense. Any sack, run play, or a tackle in the middle of the field work for the defense and keep the clock running. As offensive urgency increases so do the chances of making mistakes.
Prudent offensive players will avoid strategies that leave them at the mercy of the clock. Don't be afraid to bait throws to open receivers where the clock is your friend. Leave open areas in the middle where completions don't hurt and keep a tight grip near the sidelines and the goal line.
Just like during the course of the game, pressure is the defenses friend. Keeping the lead could be as simple as turning it up with slight adjustments on the defensive front that could force opponents into a poor choice. Use personnel and positioning to cut the field in half with pressure, while coverage takes away the back end.
From any 4-down lineman defensive front, manually substitute a defensive end at the defensive tackle position on the wide side of the field using the formation subs menu in the playcall screen. Fresh legs will make pressure quicker.
On the side two Defensive End side of the line, pre-snap shift the line so the offensive tackle is covered by the interior defensive end and manually slide the outside defensive end two yards outside the tight end to get as much width on the tackle as possible. Crash the line outside (D-Pad left and UP on the Right stick). Manually rush with the defensive end.
At the snap, run three steps upfield before angling toward the quarterback. The tackle will have to make a decision. If the tackle steps toward your manually controlled defensive end, try to speed rush around the tackle. If you become engaged, use the finesse to attempt a spin to the inside and head for the quarterback. Flush the quarterback outside the pocket.
A successful rush requires opponents to slide additional blocking toward your manually controlled defender. When this occurs, simply widen your split. Be aware, shifting the line places stress on linebackers to make tackles on run plays. But with opponents fighting the clock, run plays are exactly how you want them to move the ball as long as you make the tackle before the ball carrier gets out of bounds.