For all the things the New England Patriots did well in Sunday afternoon's win over the Dolphins in Miami, there were multiple issues that the Patriots need to clean up if they're going to continue their winning ways. No victory is perfect, and you could argue that if one or two things go the other way - like De'Von Achane stepping out of bounds to nullify a touchdown - the Patriots could very well be 0-2.
Perhaps one of the biggest flaws facing Mike Vrabel and New England's defense at the moment? Subpar tackling. Over the Patriots' first two games, the defense has missed 25 tackles, a number that must improve if New England is to have any sort of success this season.
The linebackers have been some of the prime culprits, with Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss collaborating for 14 missed tackles. That's inexcusable, especially given how thin the Patriots are at the inside linebacker position.
Sunday's game at Miami marked New England's second-worst tackling output in five seasons with 10 missed tackles.
By total missed tackles, the #Patriots just had their second-worst tackling game since late in the 2020 season.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) September 20, 2024
Fortunately, the Patriots have plenty of time to rectify tackling woes
The season is still young, and New England's defense has all the time in the world to clean things up. The Patriots also need Christian Gonzalez back in the lineup, and Vrabel was optimistic the star cornerback will be able to return on Sunday against Pittsburgh.
But missing tackles is a flaw that can prove fatal, especially the way offensive coordinators tend to expose that weakness by getting the ball to skill players in space on short routes. That happened on Miami's second touchdown on Sunday, when Elliss whiffed on Achane, who subsequently cruised into the end zone.
The Patriots missed three tackles on that one play, and if they don't fix that, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers will expose that come Sunday. Elliss and Spillane are confident that the Patriots can turn these issues around, and Miami is one of those offenses that can make a defense look silly thanks to its speed.
It ultimately comes down to discipline and execution, and maybe the Patriots can fine-tune those issues and get their record above .500 early in the season come Sunday.