Defence...
	Find a play that works...
	Long-pass plays...

On defence, do not pull the player you control too far out of formation. The AI will eagerly exploit this gap in your line.

Find a play that works for you and stick with it. While you can unlock additional plays with cash, a good long-pass play should be all you need.

Short-pass plays leave your quarterback surprisingly vulnerable to sacks, so start with long-pass plays until you are comfortable with the game.