January 29, 2024   2 MIN READ

Figured Him Out?

Five Seasons Since Last Great Vic Fangio Defense

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Has the Vic Fangio defense been “figured out?”

It’s been a question making the rounds since the Eagles announced the hiring of the longtime defensive coordinator, who was the NFL’s 2018 Assistant Coach of the Year while coordinating the defense of the NFC North champion Bears.

Fangio, who was defensive coordinator of the Dolphins this past season, produced the 10th-ranked overall defense and 22nd-ranked scoring defense although Miami suffered multiple injuries to many of their best defensive players.

Vic Fangio

GETTY IMAGES: New Eagles DC Vic Fangio inherits a defense that ranked seventh-worst in 2023.

In his 23-year career as a defensive play caller, Fangio has produced a top-five total defense five times and a top-five scoring defense six times.

But his last great defense was 2018 with the Bears, who ranked third overall and first in scoring. Since then, his defenses with Denver and Miami have ranked 12th, 21st, eighth and 10th, respectively.

Twice in the last four years, his scoring defenses have ranked in the 20s.

In Philadelphia, Fangio inherits a defense that ranked seventh-worst in the NFL in 2023, leading to firing of coordinator Sean Desai, who had his play calling duties stripped away mid-season.

Interestingly, the Eagles – who’ve been running Fangio-style defenses for the past three years – might be one of those teams who have figured Fangio out.

The Eagles have won their past five games against Fangio, going back to 2023 – including a 31-17 win at the Linc this past season:

What’s that saying? If you can’t beat ’em …

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

About The Author

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Geoff Mosher is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years experience covering the Eagles, the NFL and other college and pro sports across several different multimedia platforms. He is co-host of the acclaimed Inside the Birds podcast, the leading podcast for intel on the Philadelphia Eagles, and co-host on 97.3 ESPN's drive-time show. He has also hosted on Philadelphia's sports-talk station, 94.1 WIP and 97.5 The Fanatic. Geoff was the lead Eagles Insider from 2012-2015 for NBC Sports Philadelphia, where he wrote for the website and appeared daily on the station's TV shows, including Quick Slants, Philly Sports Talk, Eagles Pregame/Postgame Live and Eagles Extra. Prior to joining NBC Sports, Geoff worked the Eagles beat from 2005-2012 for the Wilmington News Journal, where he broke several major news stories and also won an Associated Press Sports Editors award under the category of Breaking News for his coverage of the sudden death of Phillies play by play broadcaster Harry Kalas. Geoff has appeared on ESPN's SportsCenter, NFL Network, NBC Sports Network, FOX29, 6ABC and has conducted interviews for Sirius/XM NFL radio and countless other radio stations across the country.

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