Vic Fangio is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. Over 20 great years He is known throughout the league for adapting his scheme to the talent given him and putting players in position to be successful. Not known as a big blitzer, he is known for his multiple looks and really taking away what other teams do best. He'll change his looks and keep offenses on it's toes. If he has the DB's you will see some man concepts, if he doesn't have the horses to play cover 1, he will play more zone. He won't try to stick a square plug in a round hole!
He plays much of the standard coverages you will see on Sunday.
Some pass zone defense concepts you will often see:
1.Cover 3 variations (weak, strong)
2. True quarters
3. 1/4, 1/4 , 1/2 both strong and weak (also, 2 to the star wr and 1/4 opposite is a call)
4. Cover 2
5. Tampa 2
Here's some of the things about his defense:
1. They Eliminate the big play
2. They Rally to the ball
3. Communication in the secondary - they pass off routes better than anyone
4. They Disguise better than anyone- 2 safety look presnap to some single high and cover 3 coverages
5. They try to take advantage of pass rush matchups with Miller and Chubb in the past.
Here are some of the defenses Vic Fangio will play. He loves to play variations of 3 on early downs, some 1/4, 1/4 half with some man free hole concepts from a 2 high look. He really has a very solid scheme. Thus, they had the #2 defense in points allowed in 2021 at 18.9. That's playing within a very tough division with some very good quarterbacks.
On early downs
On early downs you'll see different coverages but often will see some cover 3, with much of it being 3 weak or strong based on formation. He also likes to disguise with his safeties. His safeties are interchangeable which makes the scheme successful.
You will also see a ton of 4-2 fronts with often a shade look. They use the strong safety as the C gap player in the run game. They will often go to a 4-2 vs 11 personnel, and at times vs 12 personnel, depending on what they think of your run game and who you're weapons are in the passing game.
You will also see their tite 3-4 front against teams when they get 21/12. Both of these fronts he has used over the years.
Here you see a 4-2 nickel look vs 12 in the Jets game. Safety rotates late to the 3x1 side. Again, the Broncos can bring either safety down to help in the run game.
vs the Chargers
Chargers come out in 12 with the tight end to the boundary in a 2x2 set. The Broncos go 3 weak and do a nice job vs the run.
The Jets come out in 12 personnel with 2 tight ends and 1 wr to the same side. The Broncos run cover 3 to the 2 tight end side to get the extra run defender there.
3-4 front vs 12 and 21
They will also play some 3-4 fronts vs 12/13 and 21 personnel. They played it against the Lions, probably because of the lack of threats in the passing game. They will play some 3-4 and bring an extra lb in depending on the opponent.
Lions in 22 personnel. 2 backs and 2 tight ends
vs Bunch Man principles
Broncos
The Broncs show a 2 high look but the coverage is man free with the Safety to the side of the bunch diving down to help on crossers. They used it a few times vs the Jets in week 3 as show below. 2 clips are attached
On 3rd and 6 the Jets run the concept again. The Broncos switch the coverage and how they sort the bunch route out.
