"After scoring just eight points against the Daniel Jones-led Colts in Week 1, Miami scored 27 against New England. As disappointing as the total points allowed were, how the points were allowed was more disappointing. Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff are prided on their fundamentally sound teams, but we didn't see a lot of that on Sunday. The previously mentioned special teams inconsistencies and flags were upsetting, but the inability to tackle was a major concern."
"In fact, Mike Girardi of Boston Sports Journal wrote on Bluesky, "Pats won yesterday despite missing 12 tackles. That's their highest miss-tackle rate since week 4 in 2021 (per Next Gen Stats)". Missing tackles at such a high clip is a primary concern, and for good reason. The Patriots defense desperately needs to improve their tackling The 2024 Patriots were solid tacklers."
"They ranked seventh fewest in missed tackles, five a game. The first-place Colts had nearly ten missed tackles each Sunday. Despite being sound in this respect, the Patriots made additions to their defense, particularly their linebacker corps. Robert Spillane was the marquee addition, but Jack Gibbens was also brought over from Tennessee after a productive '24. Christian Elliss received a new contract, too."
The Patriots earned their first 2025 win but displayed multiple issues across units. Kicking was inconsistent, Morgan Moses drew three penalties at right tackle, and Pop Douglas continued to struggle. The defense allowed 27 points to Miami and showed poor fundamentals, particularly in tackling. Next Gen Stats recorded 12 missed tackles, a rate not seen since 2021. The 2024 team had been a strong tackler, and the roster included offseason additions to the linebacker corps such as Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens, and Christian Elliss. Robert Spillane missed a career-high five tackles on Sunday.
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