\u2014 Football Insights \ud83d\udcca (@fball_insights) October 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Arizona is also one of 13 teams to use man coverage at a rate of 20% or less through the first six weeks of 2025:<\/p>\n The drop-off in coverage usage for the Cardinals is quite steep after those two looks:<\/p>\n Coverage <\/p>\n Percentage of Snaps Cardinals Play in Coverage<\/p>\n Cover 4<\/p>\n 28%<\/p>\n Cover 3<\/p>\n 27%<\/p>\n Cover 2<\/p>\n 16%<\/p>\n Cover 1 (Man)<\/p>\n 15%<\/p>\n Cover 6 <\/p>\n 5%<\/p>\n Cover 0 (Man)<\/p>\n 3%<\/p>\n Cover 2 (Man)<\/p>\n 2%<\/p>\n \u201cProbably who we’re playing, that goes into that. Where you want to play coverage structure wise,” said Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon<\/a> when asked about the change. <\/p>\n “We made some tweaks to Cover 3 this year too. That\u2019s a good question, it\u2019s a long-winded answer. I think whatever you’re playing\u2014doesn’t matter what you’re playing\u2014I’d like to see an uptick of execution in the back end and that’s everybody collectively. We have a couple staples and then get to them different ways but depending on who you’re playing really goes into what you’re kind of leaning on. <\/p>\n “I always say, \u2018If you kind of have one shell that’s the staple going into the week and you want to mix two other ones\u2014you have one post-close, you want to mix two other ones.\u2019 I think one of the ways to affect the quarterback is not just play a couple coverages, so we try to be multiple in that aspect. I’d like to see us play them a little bit better.\u201d<\/p>\n Oct 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon stands on the field before their game against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images \/ Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Gannon has always been a big proponent of limiting explosive plays – and Cover 4 does just that. <\/p>\n With four defenders – two safeties and two boundary corners – dropping deep, it’s awfully tough for teams to push the ball downfield for big yards. <\/p>\n If you’re looking to limit explosives (plays of 20+ yards), you found your coverage. <\/p>\n On the other side of the coin, however, is the underneath game. With heavy commitment to the deep part of the field, Cover 4 can be exposed with only three defenders underneath. <\/p>\n If you’ve seen Arizona’s late-game defensive drives, you’ve also seen quarterbacks carve up the middle of the field and intermediate slot\/seam spots. <\/p>\n It’s always a battle of philosophies in the league. The Cardinals’ defense is certainly not the worst unit in the league despite their fourth quarter struggles<\/a>, though if Arizona hopes to rebound from their awful 2-4 start, they’ll need to find their footing. Quickly. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n