Madden 20 November Title Update adds new Playbook formations and more

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New playbook formations, the Omaha X-Factor ability and some improvements to Connected Franchise highlight the Madden 20 November Title Update.

Madden 20‘s November Title Update has been released, and it’s one of the more exciting ones the game has seen yet.

Among the highlights is a massive update to various team playbooks. For the New Orleans Saints, new formations and packages built around Taysom Hill has been added.  Taysom Hill is one of the more versatile players in the league, able to play multiple positions on the field.

There’s the new Taysom Hill QB Shotgun formation as well as unique package adjustments in the Taysom Hill formation that allows the QB3 to be subbed into other offensive skill positions such as halfback, tight end and wide receiver.

In addition to this, several teams have received some new defensive formations. The new Nickel Triple defensive formation has been added to the Bears, Giants, Redskins and Texans. The Cowboys have an I Form H Slot offensive formation. Head over to the patch notes for a full look at what teams received playbook updates.

Watch Madden 20 Playbook Update Deep Dive with AW! from EAMaddenNFL on www.twitch.tv

According to EA, this is only the first wave of updates to defensive playbooks, with more coming in the future.

One of my biggest gripes with the Madden franchise has been the game’s inability to keep up with the innovation of offensive and defensive playcallers. While it’s a little late to the party with the Taysom Hill formation, it’s nice to see EA finally catching up to the creativity of the NFL offense.

Defensive playbooks have always felt a little flat with a seemingly lack of variation between teams. Today’s update should hopefully make teams feel different on defense.

While Connected Franchise has sort of fallen by the wayside as Ultimate Team has become the primary focus for EA, it hasn’t completely been abandoned. Today’s update introduces a fifth year option.

"In Coach Mode, during the Free Agent Recap week, if the user’s team has qualifying personnel, the user-Coach will experience a scenario to decide whether or not to sign eligible players to a fifth-year option; corresponding news stories that reference the ‘Fifth Year’ contract will populate as well"

I know CFM has gotten the short end of the stick for the past few games, but these smaller improvements are still appreciated. I’d still like to see CFM get more attention next year, but the fifth-year option adds another layer of realism to contracts and free agency.

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The last major highlight in the November update is the new ‘Omaha’ X-Factor ability. Inspired by legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, Omaha “allows the QB to see defensive-back coverage play-art via pre-play coach cam when in the zone.”

That’s a pretty awesome ability that will give you a clear advantage over the defense, but in Ultimate Team it is only available on Peyton Manning. In Franchise mode, it’s available as a Zone ability for Field General quarterbacks.

The Omaha X-Factor ability is unlocked with four consecutive completions of five-plus yards in the air on Arcade and Simulation, and six consecutive completed passes on Competitive. Throwing two incomplete passes or an interception, or getting sacked or fumbling will knock a player out of this. Defenders are able to hide their assignments using the “Bluff Blitz” hot route.

Watch Madden 20: Title Update Overview with Clint from EAMaddenNFL on www.twitch.tv

In addition to these new additions, the November title update also features plenty of bug fixes. Check out the full patch notes here.

The November Title Update follows last week’s roster update which added Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey to the Madden 20 99 Club. He’s the fifth player in the game to boast the perfect 99 overall, joining RE Aaron Donald, WR DeAndre Hopkins, LOLB Khalil Mack and QB Patrick Mahomes.