Early in the 2025 season, the New England Patriots' defense displayed a shockingly poor habit of missing tackles all over the field. It cost them and led to a dismal 1-2 start of the Mike Vrabel era in Foxborough. It was not exactly what the former (and maybe still hopeful) NFL Coach of the Year wanted to see.
Top linebackers like tackling machine, Robert Spillane, who'd averaged more than 150 tackles the previous two seasons, and the emerging linebacker, Christian Elliss, missed tackles all over the yard in the first few games. They looked like they had goose grease on their hands as they missed tackle after tackle, helping to lose to the Raiders and Pittsburgh in two eminently winnable games.
After putting aside that sloppy habit during their 10-game win streak, back it came against the Bills, and it was costly. They had 10 missed tackles against Buffalo, and if you're facing a quarterback like Josh Allen, you've sealed your fate.
After seeing his team surrender 21 unanswered points, Allen and company roared back and proceeded to take the Patriots to the metaphorical cleaners. It was a devastating loss and an embarrassment to Head Coach Mike Vrabel, his staff, and the team.
It was the wrong time against the wrong team for the Patriots to miss so many tackles
After starting poorly, Spillane has rebounded and now leads the team with 97 tackles. Unfortunately, he was on the shelf with an injury against the Bills, and no one who replaced him can do what he does - tackle.
The Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan noted that the Patriots reverted to a trend that cost them big early in the season.
According to PFF, the #Patriots 10 missed tackles yesterday were the most they've had in a game since they had 12 in their last loss: vs. Pittsburgh on Sept. 21.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) December 15, 2025
It's no coincidence that the 12 against Pittsburgh (along with five devastating turnovers) helped cost the Patriots that eminently winnable game against a lackluster Pittsburgh team, among the worst Steelers teams seen in these parts in eons.
Repeating those gaffes against Buffalo was even worse. There is little room for error when you play Josh Allen and the Bills, and the 10 misses helped cost the Patriots the game.
The Patriots have to get back to tackling, or they'll lose to Baltimore
The Ravens are in the playoff race, sitting only one game behind the often listless Steelers. They will be well motivated to beat the Patriots at home and hope for a Pittsburgh loss to the Lions to climb into first place in the AFC North.
The Ravens are never an easy game, and with New England still smarting with a couple of key injuries like left tackle Will Campbell and defensive tackle Milton Williams (hopefully Spillane will be back), it will take all they can do to scrape out a win and fly out of Baltimore as soon as possible.
Trying to tackle Josh Allen and his terrific running back James Cook is one thing. Trying to tackle Lamar Jackson, one of the NFL's most elusive players (never mind just quarterbacks), is an even more monstrous challenge.
One thing is certain: the Patriots will have to play a clean game to beat the Ravens in Week 16. Let Jackson run loose, and he'll rip them to shreds with his running and passing. Missed tackles in the vicinity of 10 will doom the Patriots to another painful loss, no matter what they do on offense.
Vrabel has to get this ironed out this week, or the Patriots may just toss the AFC East title into the trash can.