Packers: Tackling is the biggest concern ahead of regular season

If there’s one area the Green Bay Packers most need to improve before the start of the regular season, it’s the tackling.

Tackling has seemed to be an issue for the Green Bay Packers defense just about every season, but with such high expectations entering 2019, it’s an area they need to improve quickly.

According to Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com, the Packers missed 19 tackles against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, and 24 the week prior against the Oakland Raiders.

Yeah, that’s not good enough.

But it’s also not surprising. The Packers have only played in two preseason games, so they are going to make mistakes as they prepare for the new season.

But the tackling will need to improve by the time the regular season opener comes around, as the Chicago Bears offense features a number of players who can force missed tackles and make big plays.

Tarik Cohen is arguably the best pass-catching running back in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, he forced 16 missed tackles last season. Of Cohen’s 725 receiving yards in 2018, 524 came after the catch, which ranked 11th in the NFL. If Green Bay’s defense continues to miss tackles, Cohen could have a big game in Week 1.

PFF also noted that Bears rookie running back David Montgomery forced 185 missed tackles on carries over the past two seasons, which was more than any other RB in the 2019 draft class.

Both Cohen and Montgomery could cause some real problems for Mike Pettine’s defense if tackling remains an issue.

The hope will be that once the regular season gets underway, the defense will have had time to correct its mistakes and be ready to go.

But Pettine’s defense can’t afford a slow start in the season opener. The Packers have an opportunity to make a statement with a victory over the NFC North champions, but if they continue to miss tackles, it’ll be a long night at Soldier Field.