BACKBREAKER

This is one of those achievements where a guide may not be that helpful, but if I may offer some advice that could make this a little easier.

If you are only trying to earn this accomplishment (and by extension the Quarter Pounder with Cheese achievement), you may wish to set the Mode to Pro, Difficulty to Easy, Quarter Length to 15 min, and Timeouts to 0.

There are two main situations where sacking the quarterback is most likely.

1) During obvious passing situations
2) When an offensive lineman is blocking someone else and you get through free and unblocked

Depending on your play style, you may wish to maximize your opportunities to get into the backfield.

On any down where the first or goal is longer than 10 yards, the AI will likely attempt to pass. This means that the quarterback will hold the ball longer, and vis a vis, you'll have more time to get at him. Look to put yourself into 2nd or 3rd and long situations.

Once in a passing situation, go to the defensive plays BY FORMATION, 4-4, and select the Cowboy 2 zone blitz. This play has a cornerback blitzing while the four man line rushes and the 4 linebackers hang back.

I also recommend that you choose the CB on the opposite of where the tailback/half-back is standing so there isnt anyone there to pick you up.

Come in aggressively and on a line with your focus enabled on the QB. He will likely be into the 5th step of his drop back when you get inside his tackle box.

If the tackle turns to set a block on you, either spin around him or swim. Chances of a CB bull rushing past an OL arent very good, so the best bet is to avoid him. Another good way to avoid the tackle is to delay your rush and wait until he has turned his attention to the defensive end that should be rushing as well.

Now, this blitz scheme will give you a very fast defender rushing the quarterback, perhaps without anyone in the way. However, you should know that its also a very risky maneuver from a defensive standpoint. If you miss, or if you get blocked, the AI will likely complete a pass to an open receiver (the beauty of the zone blitz however is that your area has already been accounted for in the scheme, so you arent abandoning your post when you rush).

As an additional note, if you really want to up your chances, I would suggest taking the Oakland Scourge against the Albuquerque Atoms. The Scourge has one of the top defenses and the Atoms are among the worst offensive teams in the game.