Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has coached in the NFL since 1986. The 67-year-old is also a straight shooter who’s intentional with what he says.
So it should be noted when Fangio acknowledges that he holds the Eagles’ next opponent, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, in such high regard.
“Stafford is one of the most gifted passers you’ll ever see,” Fangio said in his Tuesday press conference ahead of the Eagles’ Week 3 matchup against Los Angeles.
Fangio has faced a lot of QBs over the course of his career. He’s been a defensive coordinator for seven NFL teams. He was the head coach of the Denver Broncos for three seasons. He’s been at least a defensive assistant in the league for 38 years. And for 17 of those seasons, Stafford has been an NFL starter.
Sunday will be the 14th time Fangio has gone against Stafford. Fangio faced the former Detroit Lions franchise quarterback as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012. As the Bears’ DC from 2015-18, he faced Stafford twice a season in the NFC North. Fangio coached against Stafford in 2019 as the Broncos’ head coach and twice last season with the Eagles.
In their previous 13 meetings, Fangio’s defenses and teams own an 8-5 record vs. Stafford. But the most pertinent matchups between the longtime coach and quarterback came in 2024, when the Eagles beat the Rams, 37-20, in Week 12 and in the NFC divisional round, 28-22.
But Stafford, who joined the Rams ahead of the 2021 season from Detroit, came close to knocking the Eagles off their perch in last year’s playoffs. Stafford was surgical in the snow, throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles needed a red-zone sack by Jalen Carter to beat the Rams and keep their Super Bowl run alive.
After their playoff exit, the Rams swapped one legendary receiver for another, letting Cooper Kupp go and signing three-time All-Pro target Davante Adams. Through two weeks, Adams has 10 receptions for 157 yards while Puka Nakua has 18 catches for 220 yards.
The Rams are 2-0 with wins over the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans thanks in large part to Stafford. The 37-year-old quarterback, who is dealing with a back injury, has been efficient, throwing for 543 yards and completing 71% of his passes (44 of 62).
Through two weeks, Stafford has been Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded QB with a 91.8 passing grade.
Add in the threat of running back Kyren Williams and the play-calling expertise of Rams head coach Sean McVay, and it’ll be an “extremely difficult assignment” for Fangio’s defense.
“Their scheme is really good and tough to prepare for, to play. And they’ve got a great quarterback operating it,” Fangio said. “... It’ll be an all-day sucker for us, for sure.”
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