The Philadelphia Eagles faced a crushing defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, missing a staggering number of tackles along the way. But how exactly did this happen?

In their 33-16 loss, the Eagles were credited with 16 missed tackles, contributing to 105 extra yards allowed—making it the second-highest total given up by any team this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Complaints about the tackling performance are not new; the Eagles had already let up 92 extra yards in their previous game against the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo. While that game was marred by poor field conditions, the Eagles can’t rely on similar excuses.

Statements from head coach Nick Sirianni shed some light on the team’s tackling woes. During the Eagles’ bye week, he plans to analyze the game tape to identify patterns in their tackling issues. "What are the common themes of the tackles we're missing?" Sirianni pondered, stressing the importance of rectifying these fundamentals. The coach's passion for detail is evident, but he acknowledges that their recent performance deviated significantly from the high standards he expects.

Among the players, linebacker Nakobe Dean stood out as the biggest offender, racking up five missed tackles. Safety Reed Blankenship didn't fare much better, missing three tackles before falling ill during the game.

Interestingly, the inconsistency in missed tackle statistics highlights a deeper issue. While Next Gen Stats pegged the Eagles at 16 missed tackles, ProFootballFocus documented just 10. Regardless, both numbers indicate a serious problem that needs addressing.

In contrast, the Eagles showcased their tackling prowess during a Week 3 victory against the New Orleans Saints, where they remarkably missed only three tackles. This performance raises the question: what changed? Perhaps the effectiveness of their base defense during that game contributed to their improved tackling efficiency. Over the first two weeks of the season, the Eagles registered a total of 25 missed tackles, placing them fifth in the NFL in those statistics. Shockingly, they currently stand with 44 tackles missed for the season.

As they prepare to remedy this glaring issue during the bye week, tackling will undoubtedly be at the top of Coach Sirianni's agenda. "First and foremost, I ask myself, ‘What did I not do well enough?’" Sirianni reflected, indicating that a coach's responsibility is crucial to the team's performance.

The Eagles must act fast to turn the tide; their tackling needs an overhaul if they aim to be contenders this season. Can Nick Sirianni rally his team to fix these disastrous defensive lapses? Only time will tell! Stay tuned as the Eagles work to transform their tackling game.