Ive played this game a long time, and gave up on trying to figure out how this game decides who covers who. I have gone through and read countless PBP's not only of my games but the games of some of the elite coaches. As soon I think I have something figured it, POOF its all different. I have seen the #1 LB cover the #1 RB on one play and on the next hes covering #1 TE, and the FS is covering #! RB. Does anyone have an idea on how the computer determines who covers who on a given play. Does #1 LB cover the best offensive player (RB/TE) on that play? Does #1 C take best WR?

Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a definitive answer. I could be wrong because I don't know anything either, lol. There are too many variables to each play, as to how the offensive coach has the receivers set, how many and at what levels. Then how the defense is set up, blitzing and coverage depths.

I always heard it was zone coverage not man to man

Following up to ragin's comment, all old dev chats dating back for 20 years that mentioned this noted it was not man coverage but zone as noted. If you dig, you can find the anatomy of an offensive play and how it kind of works and the assumption is defense is the same way. Coverege distance e.g. short, med, long has a lot to do with it and then based on the players in the game stats/info is assigned. You can manipulate it somewhat on who is in the area or coverage with the line settings for LB's and coverage depth for the D. You can always have the safeties covering TE/RB with the proper settings for instance. If you LB are not so great and your players at safety/secondary are better that may work in your favor. With all this said, player ratings and talent will always beat a great game plan...

I have read and have always thought it was a zone, but when you are setting up the defensive formation it said LB's cover RB/TE and C's cover WR, and Safeties are set to depth. If it is a zone then I would like to know where each defender is playing in that zone.