Justin Tucker's Recent Struggles Highlight Turbulent Season for Ravens Kicker
As one of the most reliable figures in NFL history, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has often stood as a beacon of consistency. However, the recent tide of events has cast an unusual shadow on his career, posing challenges that even a kicker of his legendary stature must navigate.
At 34 years old, Tucker boasts the accolade of being the most accurate kicker in NFL history, with a career field goal percentage of 89.7%. This season, however, Tucker has faced a dip in form, standing at a field goal percentage of 79%. This performance ranks him seventh-worst in the league among kickers with at least ten attempts, a drop unexpected from a player of his caliber.
The Baltimore Ravens' narrow 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers brought Tucker's struggles into sharp relief. Within the first quarter of the game, he missed two lengthy field goal attempts, marking the first time a Ravens kicker has missed twice in an opening quarter. Before facing the Steelers, Tucker had successfully converted 15 of 19 field goals, a track record that seemed poised to sustain his reputation.
Attempting to explain the unexpected misses, Tucker offered a typically succinct insight. When questioned about any underlying issues contributing to his performance, he replied, "Not really, no," emphasizing the independence of each kick by adding, "Each kick is its own kick."
Yet the match against Pittsburgh did allow for a display of Tucker's customary resilience. Following a crucial timeout, Tucker made a tweak before his third field goal attempt, leading to a successful 54-yard conversion. This precision adjustment underlines his ability to adapt and overcome mid-game adversities.
Despite troubles from long-range, Tucker has remained impeccable in other areas of his kicking game. From 20 to 39 yards, he is flawless, recording a combined 9 of 9. His record from 40 to 49 yards stands at 4 of 6, demonstrating consistency from mid-range. However, distances between 50 to 59 yards have proven challenging this season, with Tucker achieving only 3 out of 7 successful attempts.
For over two seasons, Tucker has attempted 12 field goals beyond the 50-yard line, with only 4 successful conversions. This downturn mirrors his current frustrations, where he finds himself only one missed field goal away from matching his personal record of seven misses in a single season—a record last reached in 2015.
Additionally, Tucker has demonstrated near-perfection in his extra-point attempts, converting 38 out of 39 this season. Despite this area of strength, Tucker's struggles in landing long-range goals could have implications as the Ravens head into the remainder of their 2024 schedule, with six games left to play.
Moving forward, the Ravens will seek to reinforce their confidence in Tucker, navigating his recent inconsistencies while hoping his storied career resumes its familiar rhythm. With the weight of team expectations pressing down and a personal record looming, Tucker's seasoned mantra that "Each kick is its own kick" will be put to the test.
As the Ravens continue their campaign, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Justin Tucker can reclaim his throne as the NFL's most formidable kicker, overcoming one of the toughest patches in his illustrious career.