Vic Fangio’s Defense 101: Part 3 - MFC Coverages (2024)

The “Fangio defense”. Named after its creator, Vic Fangio, who was recently hired as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, this defense is known for being complex. In particular, Fangio’s defense is known for using confusing terminology that can make things sound more complicated than they are. I wanted to study Fangio’s defense again and write a series of posts where I will attempt to simplify the Vic Fangio style defense, breaking it down into easy-to-understand parts.

Numerous writers have already written incredibly in-depth articles on Fangio’s defense. I have learned the most from Honest NFL, Shawn Syed, and Cody Alexander (Match Quarters). I will frequently use their work in these articles, and I can’t thank them enough for their work and for teaching me the intricacies of Fangio’s defense.

However, while these accounts do a brilliant job explaining the intricacies of the Fangio defense, I think some of it can be too complicated or necessary for the fan who wants to understand the basics when watching the game on Sunday. Not everyone needs to analyze football, but understanding the schemes can make watching the game more enjoyable. So, my goal for this series is to simplify the Vic Fangio-style defense and break it down into easy-to-understand parts. Please read the articles in order so they make sense.

Previously: Part 1: The Basics / Part 2: MFO Coverages

Part 3: Middle of the Field Closed Coverages

In this article, I will examine Fangio’s main MOFC coverages. As a quick reminder, MOFC means there is a safety in the middle of the field, so it is ‘closed,’ as you can see below.

This is also called single-high. Fangio runs many MFC coverages despite many people thinking he only runs MFO (two-high) coverages. Although he lines up pre-snap with a MFO look, this does not mean he always ends up playing MFO coverages. You will see a lot of post-snap rotation from an MFO look to an MFC look.

Zone (Match) Coverages

I won’t explain zone match again, so please read the previous article if unsure! Remember that Fangio’s zone coverages are match coverages rather than standard spot-drop coverages.

Cover 3 / Cover 9

I am guessing all of you will have heard of Cover 3, but you may be unsure of Cover 9. Fangio prefers to call Cover 9' weak rotation Cover 3', but they are basically the same coverage. Cover 9 is what is known as ‘weak rotation Cover 3’. It is where the weak side safety (away from the passing strength) will come down and become one of the underneath defenders. Fangio prefers this as he always has his Nickel defender to the passing strength.

To be honest, you can call it Cover 3. Who cares. But be aware that Fangio guys refer to this as Cover 9. So if you hear Cover 9, just remember it’s weak rotated Cover 3. Fangio runs a lot of this coverage, and it is more popular than many people think.

Four verticals is the perfect call against traditional Cover 3 (as you get 4 receivers against 3 deep defenders), but in Fangio’s Cover 3/9, the nickel or the safety (depending on formation) will carry the receiver vertically if he runs a vertical route. So, in Fangio’s defense, you shouldn’t see the defense get outnumbered by four verticals. You can see that in the diagram below from Honest NFL.

In standard Cover 3, the safety and nickel would play the flat/curl zones. But in Fangio’s Cover 3/9, they are called seam/flat defenders, as they carry their receivers vertically if needed. Remember that, ideologically, Fangio hates giving up big plays. Even his MFC coverages rarely give up deep shots. Here’s a lovely example of Cover 9, with Fangio’s usual post-snap rotation.

Man Coverages

Fangio is known for his zone match coverages, but he plays a lot of man coverage.

Cover 1

Cover 1 is a very simple defense to spot. It’s man coverage with a single-high safety, and there is usually a ‘free’ defender (not in man coverage) who can have various roles depending on the offense's formation and personnel. The ‘free’ defender plays what we call the ‘hole’. The hole defender can vary depending on the call. Here’s the classic Cover 1 on Madden, with a linebacker as the hole defender and, therefore, not in man coverage.

Fangio has different terms for Cover 1 come down to whatever the hole defender is doing. As with all of Fangio’s coverages, It is hard to differentiate what he is running pre-snap, with the safeties usually staying in 2 High and not rotating until after the ball has been snapped. You don’t really need to know the terms. But I will tell you anyway because I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to figure out Fangio’s Cover 1 terminology. Sometimes, it is impossible to tell exactly what Fangio is running, but I can give you an idea of the three main variations to look out for.

Robber / Lurk / Hole

Robber is when a safety or linebacker becomes the hole player, depending on the running back's release.

Lurk is when a safety is in man coverage with a receiver or tight end, and the hole defender is one of the linebackers, depending on the running back's release. Lurk is a great coverage if you have a safety who is strong in coverage (aka CGJ) and a linebacker who is better suited. The linebacker can also double up as a QB spy in Lurk, so I like this call against mobile quarterbacks.

Hole is when a safety always plays the hole defender, and the linebackers are in man coverage. Many other teams call this Robber or Cross, but Fangio calls it Cover 1 Hole. Hole is a fantastic coverage to take away crossing routes, as the safety in the hole should be able to see it coming.

I said I would give you three variations. I lied. Here’s a bonus one to finish off this article. What is really cool about Fangio’s Cover 1 is that sometimes the hole defenders can take a crossing route and remain in man coverage with the receiver as they have inside leverage already. This means the cornerback, who was in man coverage, is now free to become the free hole defender. This is often known as switch. This requires a lot of skill and communication, but it is really tough for a quarterback to read.

Even quarterbacks as smart as Dak Prescott can be fooled by this one...

How beautiful is that coverage? It doesn’t get any better.

Cover 1 Dog

Finally, there is another version of Cover 1 that Fangio runs without a hole defender. This is a five-man rush, with five defenders in man coverage and a deep safety. The diagrams are a little odd here due to the motion, but you can see no hole defender.

Fangio frequently runs this from a 5-man front. I would expect to see this quite a lot next year as none of the Eagles’ EDGE defenders are great at dropping into coverage.

I hope part three of this breakdown of Fangio’s defense has given you a clearer picture of his MFC coverages. As always, I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts, and if you have any questions, just let me know!