The Vikings 3rd Down Pass Defense: Double Mug Cover 2 Concepts vs the Colts

The Minnesota Vikings are an excellent defense known for their split field coverage concepts. They will often play these split field concepts on 3rd down, often starting in a double mug look. This double mug look allows them to disguise some of their concepts on the back end. They will disguise pre snap often and rotate into various cover 2 configurations. They used this concept often vs the Colts

This year, the Vikings are top 10 in several categories:

• Scoring Defense- 7th, allowing just 18 points per game

• 3rd Down Conversions-4th allowing just 32% per game

• 3rd Down Conversions- 8th allowing just 4 per game

• Yards Per play- 8th in the NFL with just 5.2 yards per play

• Opponents Incompletions per game-#1 as teams throw 14.3 incompletions per game.

Double Mug Front Structure

Here are some examples followed by 5 film clips:

They play cover 2 but they invert to the #1 WR side after motion. The safety comes down to play the flat and the CB plays the deep 1/2

#2 Disguise and rotate

They show man free but rotate into a cover 2 hole look. Excellent disguise as the middle safety becomes the hole defender.

#3 Cover 2 pressure with only 4 rushers. They drop the mike and the End and bring the will

They drop the DE and Mike into coverage while playing cover 42 or what some people call cover 6, quarters to the passing strength and 1/2 field away from it.

#4 show double mug pre snap, shift to traditional after the offense makes their protection call.

shift to traditional and bring the Sam LB

Cover 2 rotation after the snap!

Film: