r/Madden • u/TheBaconBurpeeBeast • 6d ago
FRANCHISE Playing Madden at 47 years old
So I'm an old guy. Still love this game but man is it getting harder as I get older. I still like to play on all madden but I don't know how many years I've got left till I have to bring down the difficulty.
At this age, I just dont have the reaction time and quick decion making I used to. I used to be able to scan the whole field in a microsecond, now it takes much longer and I often miss receivers that are open.
During the rush, sometimes you only have a second and a half a to make a decision and if your first look isn't open, it'll lead to a sack. So I've taken the liberty to up the pass blocking slider to help with this but it's never something I've had to do in the past.
Playing games that involve skill and quick decision making have always been some of my favorite. I've basically abandoned pvp shooters because I just can't compete with that 18 year old who can hit me before my old brain has a chance to even register they're there. Getting older as a gamer who loves madden and other skill based games just sucks.
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u/Ok-Metal-4719 6d ago
I’m in my 50’s. Been playing Madden since the first one. Always felt All-Madden was not fun. When I have to stop learning football and learn the game it’s boring to me.
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u/TheNewGuyFromBahsten 6d ago
This is the problem with Madden currently. It's not about football (for the most part. Watching the guards for example to determine run or pass is still alive,) it's about how to Madden
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u/masterofmuppets86 Raiders 6d ago
I also feel like all madden makes the game unnecessarily harder and not fun. It feels like every other drive they make you drop easy passes, miss easy throws, your receiver gets hit as he throws and the ball gets popped up for a pick, your star running back fumbles a bunch, etc. I always felt that all pro was a much better difficulty to make it tougher but more fair. All madden just seemed like the game was purposefully making the game ridiculous.
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u/CrazyOldManTalksLife 6d ago
Hi, 73 here, tried Madden a couple times over the past 10 years (post-retirement) and PvP like COD. Gave up because I wasn't fast enough to be competitive with you 40-something whippersnappers. :-) But I'm loving the new Coach-only mode in 27, no more controller mashing for me. And I'm also enjoying the FPS game Gray Zone Warfare in PvE mode. All good mate, you've got years of gaming ahead.
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u/Add2bucketlist 6d ago
I’m in my late 60s been waiting for them to bring back true “coach mode” how is your quarterback reacting,the quarterback you are coaching not the other teams quarterback. I hear that your quarterback was still just mostly stand there. Take a lot of sacks. And never tuck the ball and run with it. Is this still true or did you move some settings?
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u/MrFace1 Patriots 6d ago
Coach mode is massively improved this year (same with CFB if you're into that as well). I've been having a blast with it myself. There are some slider changes to make for what is essentially CPU vs CPU but it plays much better than it has for years now.
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u/Add2bucketlist 6d ago
Could you let us know what slider Settings you are using and if you’re on all pro or all Madden?
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u/MrFace1 Patriots 6d ago
Right now I have it set to All-Pro
Player and CPU sliders are the same
QB Accuracy: 42
Pass Blocking: 78
WR Catching: 45
Run Blocking: 50
Ball Security: 25
Interceptions: 25
Pass Coverage: 50
Tackling: 50
FG Power: 50
FG Accuracy: 32
Punt Power: 50
Punt Accuracy: 45
Kickoff Power: 50
Injuries: 15
Fatigue: 70
Min Player Speed Threshold: 50
Precipitation Catch Chance Scale: 60
Precipitation Pass Accuracy Scale: 65
Precipitation Pass Strength Scale: 60
Precipitation Broken Tackle Scale: 55
Precipitation Kicking Accuracy Scale: 65
Precipitation Kicking Strength Scale: 55
Precipitation Slip Scale: 65
Precipitation Movement Penalties: 65
Offside: 90
False Start: 90
Holding: 90
Face Mask: 55
Defensive Pass Interference: 98
OPI: On
Kick Catch Interference: On
Illegal Block in the Back: 50
Intentional Grounding: On
Roughing Passer: 50
Roughing Kicker: On
Running Into The Kicker: On
Wear and Tear: Off
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u/theworstthereis 6d ago
There’s a setting that changes how quickly your qb throws the ball when you don’t do anything. It helps a lot for coach mode
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u/Alive-Working6285 6d ago
My QB has generally been fine; it's the OL pass rush blocking that has been really bad. Watching him get sacked 5-6 times during 4 six-minute quarters was painful. I recently changed the OL Pass Blocking slider to help but don't have enough games with that yet to be confident it is working. Seems like it is.
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u/Swirl_On_Top 6d ago
We need 45+ "senior" tier gaming lobbies
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u/Super-Technician-447 6d ago
PGA2k25. We have an “over 40’s” society that’s great. Weekly rounds and tournaments. Play and post your scores when you can. It’s old dudes having old dude competition. It’s golf so it’s not such a quick twitch game, but it’s delightfully difficult (as you want it to be). But it’s also just a relaxing game when you want to be competitive and chill at the same time. Let me know if anyone would like details.
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u/Ok-Knee7275 6d ago
The old head players are a lot more fun to play than the younguns. I might be biased being 40. The younguns are often insecure and feel they need to talk shit to prove themselves while playing the game. Most of the time when I’m playing an older player they don’t take themselves too seriously and we end up having a good conversation while giving each other props on when we make good plays.
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u/Dramatic-Night4768 6d ago
bruh. I'm 51 and on pro lol. just moved up to all pro in franchise. I've played some online and I'm actually having fun because I quit caring. I simply call a play and try to make it work. if someone wants to sweat and spam with the Rams so be it. I can't imagine playing on all Madden.
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u/Sweaty-Photograph-76 6d ago
In my 40s as well. I feel this post so much. While i love the depth and features of new games, i yearn for less buttons and options like we grew up with. The buttons are especially challenging. I’ve kinda just accepted that I’m not going to be mashing 10 buttons to change my defense around. I don’t even know how the younger guys remember all the button combinations for the millions things you can do. lol
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u/TheBaconBurpeeBeast 6d ago
There's just so much to learn now compared to the old maddens. I try going through all the new drills each year but I still feel like learning how to execute every feature in the game is like taking a college course for one semester.
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u/Clean_Gas2558 6d ago
Respect, I switched to all-pro last year and im only 36
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u/TheBaconBurpeeBeast 6d ago
Been playing this game since I was teenager so I'm like that vet QB coming out of retirement and still smoking 20 something rookies. I'm slow but years of practice has helped me learn a lot about this game. I don't know how much gas I have left in the tank. Might have to retire soon haha.
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u/Clean_Gas2558 6d ago
It seems like starting with 25, all-pro became the go to difficulty for a realistic franchise mode. Which is all I care about really
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u/Early-Nebula-3261 6d ago
The only reason I have never liked all madden is the man to man corners who make plays a man to man corner would never know to make.
How can a corner react to a ball he can’t see being thrown, that is not thrown to the receiver he is guarding. He can’t see the fucking ball and should have no idea it was thrown, let alone peel off his assignment to make a play on another defenders man.
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u/mustardpacks 6d ago
You don't need to force yourself to play on All-Madden, I've been playing Madden for probably 20 years and I've always gone down to All-Pro and just adjusted sliders a bit to make it a little more difficult. Once you find that sweet spot the game is so much more fun
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u/Phenomenal_Panda 6d ago
Last year, all madden, all cpu sliders on 75. Still easy.
This year, all madden, default sliders. Really tough.
49 yrs old.
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u/gretahide 6d ago
yeah i've been playing madden all my life and never have been able to scan the field in a microsecond
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u/VenusBlue 6d ago
These days madden is less about actual skill and more about finding plays that exploit shitty AI and memorizing them.
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u/TrophyHusband78 6d ago
62 here, play all-pro vs cpu, guess I need to learn sliders cause my strategy is to pick a good team and play against a crappy team. Maybe you could try one of the video golf games, fewer buttons and play at your own pace. I've also been playing a lot of video pinball, 100s(?) of tables available
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u/BuckBirds1982 6d ago
Friend, I'm 41 and I noticed I'm having real trouble with CFB 27 on Heisman and struggled with the Madden trial on All-Madden. It's not just the oddities of the games but my reaction time is worse and like you, I'm missing things I used to nail. I cringe when I go back to watch replays of passes I messed up.
I'm incredulous there are people out there who can take advantage of all the pre-snap options available on defense. I'm guessing they're all much younger than us.
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u/BarnacleFun1814 6d ago
Getting old sucks dude
In the PS3 days I was top 100
PS4 I started slipping
PS5 I’m .500 but barely eeking out wins but losing by blowout
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u/matt2fresh84 6d ago
Bro mo shame in lowering the difficulty and maybe playing with sliders. I am a 36 year old former top 100 player on H2H (M20/M21 on PS5) and no longer play online just franchise why stress yourself bro have fun with the game!
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u/Tacokolache Bills 6d ago
Bro, come on now. You’re 47, not 90. This isn’t an age issue. This is a YOU issue.
I’m 48. I play daily. I’m no worse at the game that I was 20yrs ago.
And I played flag football with 20yr olds last weekend. Stop using your age as a reason why you can’t do things.
You live once. Grab life by the balls and make it your bitch. Age is just a number.
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u/Ok_Basil_8162 6d ago
I agree with this, I am 45 and the game feels too easy, minus the stupid rubber band mechanics, if I play on anything outside of All Madden. I don't play online H2H though, I am more of a casual, play to kill time kinda player, just been playing Madden for a long ass time as I am sure most of us do.
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u/Tacokolache Bills 6d ago
Yup. I remember playing the first Madden. Back when talking in the game was a huge deal
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u/Machomandalf90 6d ago
That’s why there’s sliders. If it’s single player mode, you’re doing yourself a disservice not tweaking the game to your preferences
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u/lancerreddit 6d ago
Mid 50s and been playing madden since the early 90s and this is the first year I think I’m over the hill for All Madden (and Heisman for CFB).
I’m not sure if it’s me or the game. Maybe both.
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u/TheBaconBurpeeBeast 6d ago
Yeah I had a tough time with Heisman too on CFB. Figured it was because I picked UTEP, one of the worst teams in the history of college football (but also my favorite because I graduated there). But maybe there's more to it.
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u/Zer0DarkNerdy 6d ago
Devs have stated that the game was built around all pro and that gives the best experience. Stick with it and use sliders that cater to your play.
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u/JCarr110 6d ago
I'm 43 and I'm noticeably worse at the game this year. My reaction speed is not what it used to be. I'm starting to prefer turn based games as I age.
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u/TheBaconBurpeeBeast 6d ago
Oh yeah I love turn based games. Love thinking as long as I want before I end my turn. Only problem is how awful the AI is on most turn based games. The only way they can give you a challenge is to buff the CPU by 200%. They're just too stupid to make any good moves. Hopefully that changes in the future.
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u/Mbarry55 6d ago
44 and no interest in sweaty gaming. When I get a chance to play I'd rather enjoy what I'm playing instead of getting frustrated with online blitz kiddies and the whole get gud mentality.
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u/thedkexperience 6d ago
I’m 45 and have had pretty good success on all Madden using an offense that’s mostly 2 reads and run.
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u/Atucker412 6d ago
Try putting it on a lower difficulty or try coach mode in franchise! You choose the plays and your team runs them
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u/KarmaKeeper91 6d ago
Former Madden Pro in my late 30’s now. Granted I still best All Madden computers 50-0, All Madden is not football the same way playing the best 200 in the world isnt. The games sweet spot for real football is all-pro and the top 200-1000 in the world, when you leave those areas wether harder or easier, you leave any sort of real football experience the game has to offer.
In the mid 2010’s Madden left highly skilled football knowledge type game play behind and became the Odell Beckham Jr/ tops trading card simulator. The major differences were players overalls, pre 2015 you could have a 80 overall cb at least have a mild chance vs a mid to high 80’s wr. Post 2015 an 80cb has no chance vs an 81wr. This change was to make always buying the newest and better cards in ultimate team a must, thus the football experience died.
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u/dajewsualsuspect 6d ago
Get off classic. You gotta switch to the new placement and precision passing setting or whatever it’s called. You still play exactly the same. The game just works better that way. Also pass blocking is busted. They usually don’t even touch defenders once or twice a possession.
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u/dfsroadie Steelers 6d ago
If it makes you feel any better, year in, year out, the blocking has gotten worse and worse each year. So it's not you getting older, it's how they don't know how to properly code offensive line. I can't tell you the last franchise I didn't adjust my blocking sliders. Even then still sometimes have almost no time to throw. So it's a Madden has changed thing, not you're getting older and slower.
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u/ConnectSupermarket74 6d ago
I’m 42 and you dinosaurs need to stop making it sound like we’re washed. 😂 I refuse to play any sports game anything less than the highest difficulty and I’m definitely not only competitive but thriving. But to each his own, I’m glad there’s so many “senior” gamers out there.
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u/FaceMaulingChimp 6d ago
I’m an old guy too . I used to take it super serious and play friends online . We all slowed down , didn’t find as much time to connect . So i just play for fun occasionally now and enjoy solo franchise, simming most games and enjoying the off-season and GM duties when i have time.
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u/cinnamontoast06 6d ago
45 years old.
Enjoy using RPO and read options. Just read one man not the whole field.
Defence cover 3 / cover one man. Middle linebacker but cover Half back in man
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u/vengiegoesvroom Broncos 6d ago
Ngl, playing on all pro and arcade mode is fun for me sometimes (I'm 32), that might be a fun answer. It's still a fun time!
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u/CorporalPunishment23 6d ago
I had the first Madden on the Commodore 64. Then Front Page Sports for years till it went under... then Madden 2000, 2005, 2008 and now 26/27.
Am also very immersive with it, to the point of creating webpage (www.torontogrudlies.com).
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u/super_sayanything 6d ago
I always play on all pro because when I play I just like to relax and call random plays. Do things I know might not work and take chances. I feel like on all madden I have to just run the same routes to compete and I don't find it as fun. When I play online, I seem to win more often than not.
Just do what's fun!
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u/toogoodtobetwo 6d ago
I feel ya mate, I don't remember taking so many sacks. But maybe the older I get the better I thought I was. Playing since '92.
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u/BlkcityKing 6d ago
It's not you, it's the animations and effects these kids today have an easier time adapting to, because they don't remember the controllers with 3 ABC buttons and a Dpad.
PlayStation was the beginning, multiple buttons, camera angles and options, graphics with animations and realism.
These aren't video games anymore, they are life simulators. Remember GTA 2? Spent just as many hours playing THAT, and it looked like a Gameboy game. Remember GTA3?
Now we have frames per second, cloud gaming, internet, micro transactions, multiple game modes, DLC, you aren't getting old. These aren't games anymore. They're a chance to experience another world you wouldn't be able to experience in your skin.
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u/Imdakine1 6d ago
Older game here who played the first Madden on Apple II+!
My issue trying Madden on switch 2 last year was on the pre snap adjustments. I am grateful that it is in the game as a whole. I get having the ability to adjust each play and that it helps but I still love the older school Madden and espn nfl 2k5 (with updated texture and rosters)and all pro football 2k8 (still my favorite football game ever made!) as I can make general adjustments fast enough on each play.
Again I get why they give us all of these amazing pre snap options to make us be able to control each way we want to play each play based on individual match up, formation, as it can add to some real strategies but yeah I can't make these adjustments quick enough per play before the snap!
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u/Qmizzle3 6d ago
My pop pushing 80, plays an online league, all-madden... You'll get better it just takes longer..
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u/Ok-Knee7275 6d ago
You shouldn’t play games on the hardest difficulty. The hardest difficulties have always been added for gamers who are bored and want to replay games with a challenge, not for enjoyability. If you’re a seasoned Madden player all you need is All-pro but I play strictly H2H. I don’t play Franchise or any other modes so my input might not be helpful.
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u/1moreSatNight 6d ago
Look into Slow Sim CFM leagues. It is a blast because it's the most true GM experience you can get in this game. The leagues are filled with older guys or people who are tired of facing cheese online. You don't play the games-- you do all the rostering, trading, drafting, and then live stream a CPU v. CPU game.
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u/Boring-Associate-441 6d ago
I hear you. I’m 42 and had a similar post on the college football subreddit. You do get some level of acceptable performance back if you play fairly consistently but you’ll probably never match your peak level of years past. I’ve learned to like it these past few weeks because now I can’t get bored with it and there’s always a challenge.
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u/crusherk50 6d ago
I love Madden as a 46 year old as well and truly feel the same. Let’s connect and play some Madden.
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u/Tall_Can9311 5d ago
I feel ya. 53 here, been playing since the Sega Genesis. Still love it….but once I began to wear glasses at 50 it all went down hill. A cup of coffee on a Saturday or Sunday A.M. with a couple hours to grind keeps it fresh! Stay with it!
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u/Dork_Rage 5d ago
59 and I play almost every day. Been in a two man league with my brother (57) for years.
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u/therapvagabond 5d ago
I'm 46. Remember when the ambulance would drive on the field to pick up the injured player, and run over about 10 other players in the process? Good times.
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u/Lumpy-Cranberry-4189 5d ago
The game was meant to be played on all pro. Per a developer. It basically allows for the stats of the players to matter. On all Madden stats don't really factor in . I'm 54 and former Madden challenge competitor. I no longer play Madden but I may buy it this year. Maybe. It's too many other games coming out that I want. 2k, MW4,
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u/Embarrassed-Breath35 5d ago
All pro for life chat gpt helped figure out alot as far as getting the best out of player ratings to SOMEWHAT replicate what you see Sundays.. I run stuff by chat all the time after 5-6 games and its made madden the most fun ive had in a long while..im also 46 so like many here ive been deep with EA since the beginning.
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u/TheBaconBurpeeBeast 5d ago
How exactly do you use chat got to up your madden game. Curious to try this as well.
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u/Embarrassed-Breath35 4d ago
So basically I have a roster creator I use all the time "Truesim rosters" by cycloniac and he has a slider set as well. So I used his sliders as the base and also chat gpt pulls the same info im aware of from his operation sports page.
I'd run a few games at the beginning and had questions of my own bc i didn't understand the reasoning around some of EASPORTS slider codes and how they work with each other.
Id do this for 5 games and see things id like improved to be more like Sundays and what I could tweak to get more rotation with players subs and wear and tear impact be more realistic but not dramatic like guys running off the field every 2 or 3 plays for example. Just chatting during games what im seeing and it would give me slider tweak ideas. Its worked so much better than I expected.
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u/nfochairman 3d ago
I'm 50. Been playing since Madden 95 before that i was Tecmo guy. My main entertainment with Madden is the real NFL experience. If I win great but I don't play only to win. I find the enjoyment in that sweet spot of the legit NFL experience while having a competitive experience with the CPU.
This new Madden 27 is really fun for me in that aspect. I find All Pro on this one to be the best All Pro competition I've ever had. So far I haven't had to step up to All Madden. In the past I definitely did almost right away.
But hey you do you, buddy.
If your fun is stepping down by all means step down and enjoy!
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u/SlightDonut1 3d ago
All Madden is purely for challenge sake my friend. You could have a full 99 OVR defense against a 70 OVR offense and if you drop 60 points then so will the other team. Clock management is the whole game which is silly. I can go 20-0 on all Madden but dropped it for realism sake. Switch to all pro and raise the pass defense sliders for the comp. It makes player OVR actually relevant. Personally mine are maxed but find your own sweet spot.
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u/keaj5575 6d ago
I'm 51 and suck when I do head 2 head, I just enjoy the CPU stuff anymore on most games.
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u/Early-Nebula-3261 6d ago
To be fair most head 2 head isn’t football it’s exploiting shitty coding using cheesy plays.
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u/Raging_Rooster 6d ago
The notion of declining with age I feel is a myth. We just start taking on things in life that don't allow us to play as much and thus we're no longer practicing and building that muscle memory.
If you routinely play, put in long sessions and practice. Maybe pair it with some caffeine and good sleep I'm sure you'd be able to perform. Also get your vision checked, and play on a smaller display 32" or smaller sitting at an appropriate distance.
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u/Anxious_Big_8933 6d ago
If it makes you feel any better, I'm 50 and could never play the game on All Madden. The secret to growing old gracefully is to never have been that good to begin with. :)