You Need to Turn Off Time-Based Catching in Madden 27

Madden 27‘s CPU-controlled teams and their absurdly unbalanced performances can often make CPU defenders forcefully intercept passes, and if you’re having issues with some of the catching and other CPU-focused controls, then we have a few fixes that you might want to check out below so that you can further enjoy this sports game without issue.

How to Turn Off Time-Based Catching in Madden 27

If you want to turn it off for all game modes entirely, hover over the gear icon in the main menu and open Edit Settings. Then, scroll down on the Game Options tab until you find the Catching header. Turn off the following options:

• Timing-Based Catching Min Throw Distance For Offense
• Timing-Based Catching Min Throw Distance For Defense

If you only have problems with the CPU’s defenders intercepting passes, you can turn off the timing-based catching for defense and leave the offense active.

However, if you only want to turn it off in your Franchise experience, then load your save and switch to the Options tab in the main Franchise hub. Now, open Game Options and select Catching. Here, you can turn off the aforementioned settings only in Franchise mode.

What Does Timing-Based Catching Do?

Timing-based catching setup doesn’t make the CPU powerful or weak. Instead, it lets the game play out based on the QB’s throw accuracy and the catching ratings of the receivers on both sides. It also changes the catching experience for the player as well. When it’s turned on, your catcher will have a meter pop up next to him, and if you manage to leave the catch button in the green zone, you are more than likely to catch the ball successfully.

So, when the ball is close to your catcher, hold down Triangle or Y, and the meter will appear. You should leave the button when the meter is in the green zone. You will have a very short time, and it requires a lot of practice to nail it. Since this is a new addition to the game, players don’t really seem to like it that much, and it gives the CPU the upper hand in forcing incompletion.

When timing-based catching is active, the player’s skill becomes more important than the catcher’s rating. If you have what it takes to green the catch, you will likely get the ball successfully, no matter how low your player’s rating is. Of course, it’s harder to green the catch with a lower-rated player, but it’s still highly dependent on your skill.

How to Fix CPU Catching Problem

Image: GameRant via EA

Turning off timing-based catching helps your side have a better chance of catching the ball. But the CPU still hasn’t lost its power in interceptions. To fix this, you need to change the Gameplay Sliders for the CPU. So, on the same settings screen, switch to the CPU Skills tab and lower the values for Pass Blocking, WR Catching, and Interceptions.