I'm getting too many sacks in franchise mode - opposing QB's won't throw the ball away

[BillsFanMike]

I am playing an offline franchise. QB's I'm playing against won't throw the ball away... once they sense the slightest bit of pressure, they take off running further and further back in the pocket until my D-line catches them and I get a 15-20 yard sack. It's not that I don't like getting sacks, but it is excessive. My DE's and one of my DT's hold first second and third league wide for sacks on the season. I DO have intentional grounding turned off.

[Mahjik]

What mode are you playing? Sim / Arcade?

What level? Rookie, Pro, All-Pro, or All- Madden?

[BillsFanMike]

Rookie (because I am one) Sim

[Mahjik]

In the lower levels, the CPU has less abilities. i.e. the player gets more block sheds, the player has better reaction players (both offense and defense). As you move up the levels, the CPU players are better.

Think about it this way. I'm making this up, so don't take it as gospel, but this is sort of what to expect.

Given a players' stats, on Rooke level, the same player will be -15% on their base stats. You move up and it's say -10% on their stats, etc, etc, etc... In short, playing on the lower levels, you will crush the CPU once you learn the game. If you want to stop crushing the CPU, increase the level.

[BillsFanMike]

Thank you Mahjik... I never really thought about it like that... I have gotten so good on Rookie level that I have stopped growing and learning how to beat the CPU. I need to move up to Pro and start learning again... I'm sure that there will be growing (losing) pains, but such is life.