Bug or Feature: Whether Rams can fix their missed tackle problem
Were Rams’ tackling woes isolated to 2025 and what can we expect in 2026?
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 25: Jared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams screams prior to the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images I’ve written often about the Los Angeles Rams’ tackling woes over the past year. What at first glanced seemed like a late-season blip now appears to be a more troubling multi-year trend for several of LA’s core defensive building blocks.
Poor tackling may be a feature rather than a late-season bug. Background content on the tackling topic: Blip or Trend? Rams have a recent tackling issue (December) A problem the Rams cannot seem to fix (December) PFF grades in loss to Falcons: Missed tackles galore (December) The most positive aspect of Rams’ wildcard win (January) Bug or Feature?
The silver lining for 2025 is that the Rams were one of the best tackling teams in football from September into November. Their ability to bring down ball carriers took a turn for the worst in late November into December. The more troubling indicator is that the tackling issues were driven by mainstays on defense: Nate Landman, Jared Verse, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske.
For example, Nate Landman missed only seven tackles through Week 12 (11 games) and this includes a performance in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints where he had three misses alone. From Week 13 through the NFC Championship (nine games) he missed 18 tackles. This turn in performance raises concern whether Landman will live up to the mid-season contract extension he was given last year.