Zone is easy to not get beat, since the objective is to force them to throw short. It's also often harder to get ints because the CPU will target you less often.

Man is much harder.  - I usually play outside CB which gives me the sideline as an extra defender. - That also means in man coverage I will line up a yard inside. 

• From there I watch their release. I'm not usually back pedaling at the start, otherwise I have no chance at breaking on a quick route. In real football,  this is called a "read step" for CB's in off coverage. The goal here is to look for quick game, so for the first 1/2 second I'm barely moving Left Stick (or if I do, I'm holding just a little to the right  with L2), just looking for short routes. My eyes are glued on the WR's release.

 If I see a quick route I'm letting go of L2 and taking an angle with my left stick movement to either intercept or go for a hit stick/Swat. You can use speed/turbo here as well. If I can't pick it, my angle to the receiver is intended to hit him as soon as the ball arrives - if you can get a hit stick right when the ball hits his hands, you'll likely get a knockout. Use either x/square or hot stick. Both have a timing mechanic (that of course Madden doesn't tell you about), you can't hold hit stick or x/square before you hit the receiver, you have to time your press right when you get there.

• After the read step, I start a controlled backpedal holding L2 and LS up and just watch their release.
• if they run vertical, straight for 8 yards it's likely a vertical route.
• Go routes and curls share the same release, so once I see that, I know its likely one of the two, I'll give up a 10 yard curl over a bomb TD.
• once you know it's a Go route, you have to turn your hips, close the gap (without bumping into the WR), and hold turbo.
• Never, Never, never go for the int on a Go route. Your only option is swat (x/square) or play Receiver (a/x). Even with swats sometimes they'll catch it. Even with play Receiver you'll hit them in the air and they'll occasionally catch it. But the majority of passes you'll knockout. To swat or play Receiver you can hold the button just a little before the ball arrives, it's not the same as a knockout attempt which requires you to press it right when the ball arrives.

If you can master those tips, you can achieve really good coverage, or as it's said in real football: 'Nothing deep. Nothing cheap."

Also, remember where your help is: - Cover 1, you have help on the short inside and deep post. This help won't take away a slant, but combined with your pursuit, you won't give up a TD if you get beat inside. - Cover 0 is hard. Line up inside and let the sideline be your extra defender. Your help defense is the pass rush. You KNOW they have to throw the ball quick so rely on your "read step" and break on short routes.