Madden NFL 25 Franchise Season 2 Week 4 Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings

National Football on EA Sports two teams in this one going in the right direction thanks for having us in Mike T GRE these come [Applause] in all right just about set for football the crowd is definitely ready so are we off we go on EA SP and they'll bring him down to shy of the 30 yd line here's the Minnesota offense taking the field for the first time they are led by the man who led Michigan to the National Championship in 2023 quarterback JJ McCarthy they find themselves coming off a win last week that came right down to the end and the best teams in the NFL M they can win close games and they can win different style games you're not going to blow people out consistently in the NFL the league is just too good and has too much parody but the teams that are the best in one score games they're often the ones finding themselves in the best position come playoff time open Man Down field it's Addison and they'll move this ball way down into the Red Zone inside the 20 yd line a big play for Minnesota 38 Ys well they've come out swinging here on this opening drive through the air and that's exactly what they wanted to do generate some early chunk plays and try to get some points on first down here's McCarthy oh intercepted what a bad start on the third play stop playing baby let's get to it baby come on come on boy come on baby come on score is first and Mike early on that's exactly how they drew it up they wanted to come out and establish themselves with this first drive of the game and then all of a sudden disaster strikes not only do they turn the ball over the defense is able to take it all the way back for the pick six Harrison bucker now for the extra point the kick is good and the Titans will take a seven nothing [Applause] lead 7even nothing is our score as this kick is sent into the air this one taken at the 10 oh he's got room past the 30 and it will finally get him down but he gets all the way close to the 40 yd line the Vikings offense ready to come back out for this next possession off the bootleg it's McCarthy his pass stra side going to be caught by Addison and he's brought down after a game of six on first down they'll work now on second and [Applause] four here's a first Carry for their running back he's going to be stopped just short of the first down marker at the 47 they'll look to pick this up thir and a yard try to pick this one up on the ground and he's going to be brought down right on that yellow line but the official signal he's got enough for the first down they'll stay on the ground and they'll take this down inside the 35 a 19 yd pick up there first down Minnesota he'll put Addison in motion right back to him on first down and they're going to get him down this time not as easy as the last carry this time they Dro him behind the line of scrimmage second down every team makes an emphasis on winning first down but as a defense when you're able to take them back for a loss second and long you can really become more of a pass Centric defense and really tips the scales into your favor and he can't get away they football on defense and bring him down for no game they come to the line needing 11 here on third down McCarthy from the gun here on third down a throw on the move is caught a pick up of 14 on that one it'll be a Vikings first down from the shotgun it's a up the middle and the defense all over this one they knock them down it'll go down as a loss of two here's a second and 12 back to the ground he'll get it again and they'll stop it at least it's an improvement over the last play they're not losing yard but they didn't gain any here and now it's going to be third down coming off that edge Mike you have to quickly determine is this a is it a run and once he realized it was a run he's able to shed his blocker make the play no game to the air on third down is McCarthy and that is incomplete he was looking for Jordan and it's going to Beth down rikard's kick is good and the Vikings are on the board it's seven to three and I can tell you firsthand Mike when you find yourself trailing in a game you don't feel very good about coming away with field goals but in this case it does get them a little bit closer and cut into this deficit and a solid run back there he'll get this out past the 30 yd line the Tennessee offense taking the field for the first time they'll be let out by the young man in his second season in the NFL really solid allaround performance last week Mike I think the biggest factor that led to the win is his ability to continue to protect the football he executed the offense ran it exactly how they designed all week in practice now it might not have been Earth shattering performance statistically they got the win if he can continue to play that style of ball it's going to be a tough group to match up with they'll come out throwing here to start the drive escaping the danger throwing incompleted terrific start to this drive gain of 23 and a first down we talk so much about starting Fast And then trying to sustain that throughout the course of the game that's exactly what they're doing here they've got the early lead but they're not content to just sit on the ball they're looking to extend it nice start here to this drive once they cross Midfield then it goes into go mode you're trying to come away with points every single time you have the ball it's a good way to start this game game here in the first quarter first and [Applause] 10 he'll look to throw this one downfield complete to Cooks and a mo his ball way down into the Red Zone inside the 20 yd line a second a big play to start this drive 29 yd on this one [Applause] go the red zone now he'll drop to throw a nowhere to go he's going to be taken down the best thing they did here Mike is keep their Rush Lane Integrity what that means is you have to rush the quarterback as a unit keep him in the pocket keep him on that X and when you do man he becomes a sit and duck for this pass rush work to do now as they come up on second and long a shotgun snap he'll look to throw well it goes without saying you want to play wide receiver in the NFL like how well can you change directions how fast can you get your body from one direction to another and when you can cut like this guy I'm not sure how you H third and six [Applause] back to throw got his man it's complete to Thomas and he's going to have the first down they convert on Third and it sets up a first and goal and he's come out of the game on here he's to throw an incom on this opening drive and as he now approaches the opponent side of the field and they start thinking points on that other sideline this defensive play caller has to looking at that call sheet saying what can I do to slow this guy down because with the way this game is started he could be in for a big day they run here it's four trying to create some space but will not buy much he'll get a yard they'll mark it at the three [Applause] [Applause] second and [Applause] goal so we'll get a second and goal when we return will go again from the three it is second and goal again it'll be four let's give him a yard down to the three yd line [Applause] big play coming up third and goal they'll try and run it it's four powering forward he's in Jone four touchdown Tennessee it's his fourth down of the year so on Third and goal they run it in sometimes Greg that's four down territory they didn't need to do it on fourth down taking care of it on the third down for the touchdown yeah when you find yourself down here this close mik you have to finish these drives off I'm with you I think he was going to give his two shots there to punch it in but he only needed one both teams ready to go once more as the kicks away this one brought in at the 16 yd line nice job by the return team as he takes it across the 30 yd line the Vikings offense ready to take over possession of the football they trail out 14-3 so an 11o deficit as they start things out with first and [Applause] 10 Drive will scar on the ground he work his way ahead for a gain of about four here's a second and six they'll stick with him again and he'll manage to work this forward to the 37 Kenneth Murray the linebacker there on the stop come up to Third and three from the gun here's McCarthy he look middle and he's got his man complete and he is short of the goal line but they are in business at the one yd line following the completion we'll get a stoppage here for an injured player the training staff going to look and will step out out for a moment well a chance to get right back in it here first down and goal here's a designed run and he's not going to get in in fact he'll lose yardage they push him backwards trying to catch the defense off guard with this designed quarterback run doesn't go down for a sack but either way defense was ready for it able to bring the he's got his big tight TJ hackinson touchdown Vikings rer good with the extra point and the Vikings are back within four it is 14-1 the kickoff team is out on the field and we're back to it as the kick away safe kick taken at the five a good return as he takes it across the 30 out comes the Tennessee offense they get set to see what they can do the sits at four so they'll try to add on to that this drive begins with first and 10 we the drive starts with a carry by four and he'll work forward for about three it's second [Music] down 79 Bronco he'll drop the throw that's a short one taken in by P and they bring him down but not until he gets the 45 yd line that's the first grab of the game for the men leading the entire league in receptions coming into the weekend he gets his team a first down [Applause] now they'll set up to throw Cooks able to pull that one in and good yardage there after the catch they'll wind up with a gain of seven on first down the receiver thought he had a nice soft spot in that zone coverage and he settles down to give a nice Target to the quarterback but the defense had eyes on them the entire time rally tackle prevents that from turning into a big Play here's second and three to go this giv to Ford heading right and they'll take this down inside the 35 14 on the pickup that's good for a Titan first down down and a nice pick up there by the back with an explosive Run play and it's important to point out Mike this offensive play caller he's still working off that opening script it doesn't necessarily have to just be the first possession using formations using Run game and pass unmask the defense and understand where to take the play calling as the game unfolds so they come to the line for first down and 10 now 6 65 18 bill look to throw catch is made there on the left side by Cooks they'll come up here on second down and five a run Straight Ahead that's Ford and he is forunate to get past the line of scrimmage call it a yard at most they catch up from the linebacker spot to make the tackle here's a third down and [Applause] [Applause] four he'll get rid of it and complete it his second grab on this drive good for 11 y from a first down Landing a lot of body blows on this drive might just the ability to Ste March the ball down field and remain so efficient both run and pass as they continue to wear this defense out they have to find a way to end this drive with points anything short of that be a bit of a let down throwing now from the gun that's into the hands of the veteran cooks and good yardage there after the catch they wind up with a gain of s on first down [Applause] y here's a second and three fourth [Applause] coming up the middle here's four and this defense up to the task there gain of just two and it's third down [Applause] out of the gun he'll throw he'll try to run and he will get into the end zone touchdown Titans [Applause] and bucker on for the extra point his kick is good and the Titans are out to a 21-10 [Applause] lead both teams ready to go once more as the kicks away they play it short Tak it at the 15 yd line and he's brought down right at the 35 yd line out comes the Minnesota offensive unit as they get set to take over they look to make some inroads here they're down 21 to 10 in this one as they come up on a first [Applause] down from the shotgun it's a throw from McCarthy and he's going to be taken down as we hit two-minute warning here in this first half Open Mat down field it's hackinson and he'll be taken down but they are in business inside the 30 yd line they'll come up here first and 10 working out of the shotgun it is McCarthy and he's in beon Johnson touchdown Minnesota rer the extra point the kick is good and the Vikings are back within four it's 21- [Music] 17 the kickoff team is out on the field and we're back to it as the kicks away this is fielded inside the five and he'll be brought down just beyond the 25 yd line the Titans offense ready for this next possession they'll see if they can put something together here beginning with first and [Music] 10 open the this drive on the ground with four the hole closes quickly he'll pick up about three second and seven they'll throw out of the gun that's right side and brought in by Williams and they will bring him down on the other side of Midfield the Titans will use the first of their timeouts as they'll stop it with just over 40 seconds to go in the first half to the air now on First and 10 and that one knocked away it's incomplete a rare Miss for a quarterback that we've seen really come out on fire throughout this entire cont test I mean his completion percentage Mike is well above League average and frankly it's really the biggest reason why they find themselves out in front and nice work there after the catch he's a little short of the first down after a gain of seven they'll throw here on Third and short yardage taking off he'll try to get there here's a timeout Tennessee their second as they'll stop with 17 seconds go in half number one y on First and 10 they'll set up to throw he'll take off again he tried to buy all the time he could but when he saw that space he quickly turned from thrower to Runner and he's able to pick up a nice game on first down let go [Applause] he'll run again and the Titans are going to have the first and goal coming up he's out BS right around the 5 Y Line Harrison bucker on now for the field goal oh he missed it from short range a bad Miss it's no good and the lead holds steady at four the drive begins at the 20 here first and 10 so we have reached half time and both teams ready to play on so we'll do the same as we get set for quarter number three both teams ready to get back at it as we get back underway here on EA Sports now here comes turn from the nine and this will work out quite well he'll get it all the way out to the 30 yd line the Titans offense going to have a first crack in it as we begin this third quarter they'll start out first down and 10 they'll run with four and he's going to be brought down up past the 45 16 yd on the game and a quick first down this is where you have to be careful Mike you find yourself winning in the second half human instinct says all right let's just sit on the ball and protect the lead and let the clock run out you can't do that stay aggressive do what got you here continue to mix the run with the pass keep your foot on the gas and try to extend this lead they'll go back to the for on first down and he'll get this across Midfield as he's brought down following a pickup of [Applause] five he's going to run it good decision to take off he gets 15 yd and a first down anytime the quarterback has the ability to extend the play with his legs it just puts so much pressure on the defense here you are thinking you have all the routes bned up there's nowhere to go with the ball and next thing you know he breaks the pocket and he's able to pick up the first [Applause] down they give it and four and he's brought down after a gain of a couple they'll come up on a second down and eight now this time they'll look to throw and nice work there after the catch he's a little short of the first down after a gain of seven the drag route we used to say this is day one install every single offense in the NFL has this sort of Route especially for the tight end position and depending on the speed and the run after catchability of the tight end sometimes it can lead to some of the biggest gains they'll try and run for the first down it's four really just the same approach that an offense would take on a quarterback sneak Mike you don't necessarily have to SC them for a huge game can you buy just enough space up front to pick up one yard that's exactly what they did pick up the first down a first set of down to work with it is first down and 10 hand off here up the middle and he'll plow forward for a gain of four yards [Applause] [Music] that's to the middle of the field and caugh by [Applause] Cooks rock andola baby let's get to it season two I know y'all saw my rookie season we ain't do so good but season two baby we already looking like a veteran pull already looking like a veteran you're waiting at that other off waiting get back on the field what happens they come right out extend the lead and now the task gets a lot tougher for this second [Applause] half I'm just not good with them kicks I'm still working on it I know y'all see me out here trying to get it in both teams ready to go once more as the kicks away very kick taken past the a big hole Sensational return they drag him down inside the 15 yd [Applause] line throwing here on First and 10 is McCarthy to the goal line and in Justin Jefferson touchdown [Applause] Kings now a two-point conversion attempt coming line look play action here with McCarthy that's pulled in and they're able to tag on a two-point conversion I think all of us can remember exactly where we were during a certain Super Bowl where throwing the ball this close to the goal line ended up being a disaster but unlike that time they ran this pass play to Perfection and the result two points the Titans offense in their running back getting set for his next possession they'll break the Huddle coming up now for first and 10 they'll come out throwing here to start the drive this one called in by Thomas and he'll get about eight on that one most of it coming after the catch it's second down now a hand off to four and that'll give him a first down tackle made after the pick up of three this is a situation that play callers love to be in mik they have all their options on the table and short playaction pass you can run in this case they choose to keep it on the ground play it safe pick up the first down they'll look to throw here on first down that's to conin the tight end and good yardage there after the catch they'll wind up with a gain of seven on first down so the hope is when you call these underneath drag routes you're trying to have your tight end come out the back side of the defense in space so when you put the ball on him early it leads to Big yards after the catch in this case they don't get the real big play they were hoping for but they'll definitely take it on second down it's four and he'll get the first down there a pick up of about five y I think this second down call Mike they were hoping that at worst they had themselves set up for a third down and short but there's no need for third down was able to get up on second and they get a fresh set of [Applause] downs he'll look to throw back to the oh after the catch he's hit and the ball is out but this is taken in by a teammate these are the opportunities that just kill defensive coordinators you got the ball loose you did everything you but now you got to recover it you need better pursuit to the ball more bodies around the ball carrier CU When that ball pops out you've got to be on it these opportunities don't come around often and when they do you got to seize the moment back to throw coming free is Con and that's a first down will be a gain of eight not a whole lot complicated about this play M that was understanding where the holes in the defense were remember in this Zone coverage you got to find green grass get past the first down marker be friendly to the quarterback and then the ball has to be out on time before those Zone Defenders can react to the receiver it's exactly how it played out here you can drop all the fancy plays you want but when the quarterback and the receiver see it through the same set of eyes it's virtually impossible to stop and they'll get about half of what they need it it's a pick up of five sets up second and five the drag route is such a good way to get the ball early into the hands of your tight end and take some pressure off the quarterback and give him an easy completion the size and the athleticism allows them to try to pick up more yards but do it after the [Applause] catch back to the air one more time escaping the danger thrilling incompleted and he won't quite make it to the pylon he's out of bounds right around the one yd line it's another big play in a game that's had it share 31 y if you want to score points at a high level in the NFL you have to generate explosive plays and after that big chunk pass play they find themselves now down there in the red zone and this is where you have to finish drives [Applause] from the one yd line first down and goal they'll run here it's for and he will not get in from there in fact I think he was shoved backwards a little bit second and goal this close to the End Zone it makes sense Mike to keep the ball on the ground but what you're not planning for is that you suffer a l Lo so give credit to this defense they've now changed the entire equation it's third and goal but they're not so close anymore play clock nearly expires as they set up that'll be intercepted picked off by Andrew van Ginko all right Mike file this play away if they're able to hold on and pull this game out we're going to look back on this as the pivotal moment of this game often times it takes that one big moment to S the outcome of a game deep [Applause] so no shortage of offense in this one as [Applause] we off the play fake it's McCarthy he's going to tuck it and go and the Vikings are going to have a first and goal coming up they try to finish finish off this drive with six [Applause] points from the gun here's McCarthy this one CAU at the four and good yardage there after the catch they up with a gain of seven on First on second down here's McCarthy they'll be forced to just throw that one away it's incomplete nice example there Mel the quarterback just being smart with the ball understanding it didn't quite develop the way he had intended throw that ball out of Pal's Way live the play another down he'll try and throw it with McCarthy oh he feels the pressure and he'll go down back at the six [Applause] so now out comes the field goal unit in this pressure spot this to tie things up here in the four and this one right down the middle it's good that evens the score here in the fourth quarter and this is where it pays to have a kicker you can trust Mike I mean this is as big a spot as there is quarter what does he do he comes out and he delivers to tie up this game the Titans offense make their way out to take over once more this game level following the M field goal so they need to put something together here it begins with first and 10 he'll be hit as he throws and that one will wind up incomplete could not step into the throw that time it'll bring up second down go now they'll set up to throw that's a short one taken in by P and nice work after the catch he stopped a little short of the first down marker but it is a pick up of nine [Applause] they'll run and that'll keep the drive going he's got the first down pass the 40 Y and what's that one thing you hear from coaches all the time Mike right finish strong and he's doing just that his numbers here in this one they have been terrific but he's going to give you a full four quarters and I I think at this point in the game he knows there's even more yards to be had set to go now on First and [Applause] 10 they'll run here and that one shut down pretty quickly he'll get back to the line of scrimmage nothing more what makes great linebackers stand out from the pack is their instincts and their Vision in this case the linebacker has his keys brings him right where the ball is going and he's able to make a play at the point of attack and keep this to a no game they'll look to throw and that's going to be incomplete coverage was good that time the contact jarring the ball loose and forcing third down he'll drop to throw he's going to be hit after the catch and the ball comes free and the defense has it Mike we hear that term run after catch so often and sometimes people miss that there's kind of a middle phase there's the catch before it turns into a run you have to secure the ball as a ball carrier right it needs to be put away properly held points of pressure front tip up against your body all of that is kind of taken for granted catching it is just step one you've got to secure the ball before you become a runner and a strong first down run a pick up of nine setting up second and [Applause] short he'll fake the give and now it's McCarthy to the left side here caught by Addison and he's out of bounds all the way inside the 15 yd [Applause] line he'll keep it on the ground and that'll be a pick up of three [Applause] now whistles here and a penalty Mak somebody move early up front still second down they'll stick to the ground and this is going to make the play caller happy good run eight y much more manageable third down coming [Applause] up McCarthy from the gun here on third down he puts it up justtin Jefferson touchdown Minnesota two touchdowns for him now on the afternoon rer good with extra point the Vikings will go up by seven so the lead is seven now here in this fourth quarter the tie has been broken let's see what happens on this [Applause] kickoff and he'll work this one past the 25 to right about the 28 yd line the home team's offense ready to see what they can do with this next possession big trail here by a touchdown as this drive will start with a first down the drive starts with a carry by four and he'll take this forward for about three it's second down [Applause] pass caught right side by cley he has been busy nine receptions on the game and that one a first down first at 49 yd throwing now from the done oh that's one where he just needs to unload it but he did not it'll go down as a sack and a big loss of [Applause] yards that's right side and brought in by Williams so they have these rules for the receivers Mike they call them green grass rules and the idea if you're running across the field and you're looking at the quarterback you're going to stay on the run if you're not looking at the quarterback that tells him I'm going to sit in this soft zone I'm going to what they call punch and pivot and stop and that tells the quarterback to put the ball on your chest that nonverbal communication between the receiver and the quarterback recognizing when you're open stay open that's the stuff that makes a lot of these offenses difficult to defend to the air now on First and 10 and that time the pressure too much he'll go down the defensive coaches they preached all week Mike they have to have Relentless pursuit of this quarterback when he tries to extend the play so often it results in a great play for the offense in a big pickup this time because of that Pursuit leads to a big loss now on second and long they'll drop to throw and that ball in and out of his hands it is incomplete might tell you after the game he should have come up with that one he doesn't and now third down comes up a shotgun snap he'll look to throw he'll let this one go long for Williams Oh my God my [Applause] so they're not level yet a critical extra point attempt to follow the extra point is good a big one as we are tied late in this football game tie game still time to break that tie though as you see maybe run a two-minute offense and the kicks in the air and this is not going to wind up anywhere near the landing zone so they're going to blow it dead and they'll bring the ball out to start at the 40 yd [Applause] line automatic first down they'll come up for first and 10 working out of the shotgun it is McCarthy and he can't hang on through the contact it's incomplete what a good job defensively to meet him just as the ball was arriving and it'll be second down now McCarthy to the outside he's got Jefferson certainly not the biggest play of the day but a good example of picking UPI yardage staying ahead of the chains by a well timed ball and a well timed route big play here crowd on their feet for third and four from the shotgun it's a throw from McCarthy that's taken in you're willing to throw the ball of the scks on third down you know what that tells you m the decision to go for it onth down has already been made if you're able to pick it up with yard after the catch great but if not it's a fourth and short and you give yourself a realistic shot of converting on this fourth down they'll go here's McCarthy that's over the middle and take it in he's got it and he's going to pick up the Vikings first down it's a gain of 12 facing fourth down to the air once more is McCarthy that's caught by Jefferson on the right side here's second down [Applause] throwing again is McCarthy he'll go right back to Jefferson they connect again and he's got another one Justin Jefferson touchdown Vikings that is three touchdowns in the game and four for the season2 ti5 so the lead is seven now here in this fourth quar the tie has been broken let's see what happens on this [Applause] kickoff and it'll be brought down pass the 25 decent field position to start this drive another really nice throw right there and as you can see the numbers he's [Applause] been first and 10 11 11 let's go now right away they'll set up to throw there's that man again another catch and they'll get about half of what they needed it's a pick up of five and sets up second and five 31 yd back to throw the second down throw is incomplete so now after that incompletion this brings up a critical third down but remember Mike they don't have to get it all here in one play they've got third and fourth down there's no punt there's no kick they've got to treat this like it's their final possession of the game and they've got two downs to extend this drive he's over 100 receiving yards on the afternoon now and a first down to boot well after that conversion now the conversation on the sideline is what do we we do if we score we content with just kicking an extra point and tying this thing up as this coach decide to go for the two-point conversion and try to win in regulation first things first we're going to have to score but man I hope we get to see that decision another try second and 10 they'll look to throw again there's a throw right side going to be incomplete the game is there for the taking they control their own destiny but this brings up a really big third down here but remember they don't have to force it and push the ball past the sticks even if they come up short they still have fourth down in their back pocket to try to extend this drive and see if they can pull out the win here late just didn't quite get enough into that ball you see sometimes the pressure the rush force a back to throw the ball off his back foot and I think there was a little bit of that here at play you have to be willing to step up even in the face of pressure and get enough behind that ball to put that one a little bit more on the left and this is not going to do it the defense comes through here in the final minute and it may just be enough to get them a victory so the key to this play is when you're going to play pass coverage and you're going to drop in dep you have to understand and if the quarterback drops the ball off short you need to Rally tackle you need to limit the run after the catch don't let that receiver pick up the first down that's exactly what this defense was able to do in this situation tackle him short of the chains Force the turnover on Downs so it is a win for our visitors the Vikings and it is their third consecutive Victory they continue to play great football here in this latest stretch so that'll do it for us for Greg Olsen and our terrific team behind the scenes I'm Mike too you've been watching the NFL on EA Sports follow us on X at eam Madden NFL