The NFL season is underway, and tackling is already a critical factor in determining which teams are thriving and which are struggling. While missed tackles often get the spotlight, today, we’ll shift focus to how teams are excelling — or faltering — in this crucial aspect of defense. The San Francisco 49ers have been a standout, missing the fewest tackles across the league through the first three weeks. Meanwhile, individuals like Minkah Fitzpatrick shine in their tackling performance, while others, like Daron Payne, face challenges.
Let’s dive into the details of which teams are leading the way, who’s falling behind, and which players are making waves in the tackle department.
San Francisco 49ers Lead The League With Fewest Missed Tackles
The San Francisco 49ers are setting the standard for tackling precision. Through the first three weeks of the season, they’ve missed only 14 tackles, the fewest among all NFL teams. Their defense is performing at a consistently high level, showing incredible discipline in bringing down ball carriers and preventing extra yards. What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is that only one player on the team — safety George Odum — has struggled, missing over 25% of his tackle attempts despite playing more than 50 snaps.
A key player in the 49ers’ defensive success is Deommodore Lenoir, who has earned the team’s highest tackling grade early in the season. Lenoir has been perfect in his eight tackle attempts, not missing a single one. This level of tackling efficiency has given the 49ers a defensive edge, allowing them to shut down opposing offenses and maintain control of games. The team’s focus on tackling fundamentals and defensive discipline is paying off, positioning them as one of the most formidable defenses in the league.
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Buccaneers Top The List For Most Missed Tackles
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While the 49ers are setting the pace, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are, unfortunately, leading the league in the wrong direction. The Buccaneers have missed 41 tackles through the first three weeks, the most of any team in the NFL. To make matters worse, they have failed to clean up their tackling woes from game to game, missing at least 10 tackles in each contest.
Their most concerning performance came in Week 2 when they missed 18 tackles. These missed opportunities allowed opposing offenses to extend plays and drive down the field, putting their defense in tough situations. A closer look at their roster shows that five players, each with at least 50 snaps this season, have missed 25% or more of their tackle attempts. This type of inefficiency is unsustainable if the Buccaneers hope to turn things around.
Tampa Bay’s defense has talent, but missed tackles have been a glaring issue early in the season. They will need to focus on tackling drills and defensive fundamentals to avoid allowing these mistakes to continue costing them yards—and potentially games.
Minkah Fitzpatrick: Best Tackler In The NFL
On an individual level, no player has been more impressive than Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Through the first three weeks, Fitzpatrick has posted a remarkable 90.0 tackling grade, the highest of any player in the league. He’s managed to make every one of his 15 tackle attempts while also recording five defensive stops.
Fitzpatrick’s tackling excellence is no fluke. Over the past three seasons, he has been one of the league’s most reliable tacklers, consistently posting PFF tackling grades above 75.0. In both 2022 and 2023, he missed fewer than 10% of his tackle attempts, further proving his consistency in this department. Fitzpatrick’s ability to cleanly bring down ball carriers and make crucial stops is a key reason why the Steelers’ defense remains formidable.
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Daron Payne: Struggling With Tackling Efficiency
While Minkah Fitzpatrick is excelling, Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne is having a rough start to the season when it comes to tackling. Payne currently holds the lowest tackling grade of all NFL players who have played 50 or more snaps, with an abysmal grade of 22.3. This poor performance is highlighted by the fact that Payne has missed 60% of his five tackle attempts this season.
This trend of missed tackles is not new for Payne. Over the past three seasons, he has consistently earned low PFF tackling grades, failing to wrap up ball carriers effectively. In both 2022 and 2023, Payne missed at least 17% of his tackle attempts, showing a troubling pattern of inefficiency.
Tackling Efficiency Across The NFL
The 49ers and Steelers have emerged as two of the league’s top teams when it comes to tackling, but many other teams are dealing with their own struggles. The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams, for example, have missed 39 tackles each, putting them among the worst-performing teams in this area. The Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars are not far behind, each missing 38 tackles.
In contrast, some teams have been able to keep their missed tackle totals relatively low. The New Orleans Saints, for example, have only missed 18 tackles, while the Carolina Panthers have missed 19. These teams are showing a greater focus on tackling efficiency and defensive discipline.
The data highlights the importance of tackling in determining a team’s defensive success. While teams like the 49ers and Steelers are setting themselves up for success by limiting missed tackles, others like the Buccaneers and Commanders will need to make improvements quickly.
A Breakdown of Missed Tackles By NFL Teams
Tackling efficiency varies widely across the league, and here’s a look at where each team stands after three weeks of action:
- The Steelers, with only 16 missed tackles, are also performing well in this area.
- The Buccaneers have missed 41 tackles, the most in the league.
- The Raiders and Rams follow closely behind, each missing 39 tackles.
- Teams like the Falcons and Jaguars are also struggling, with 38 missed tackles each.
- On the other hand, the 49ers have missed only 14 tackles, the fewest in the NFL.
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