Behind the Slump: Justin Tucker’s Unexpected Struggles
In the often unforgiving world of professional sports, even the most reliable talents can hit a slump. This may be the case for Justin Tucker, one of the most lauded kickers in NFL history. In a league where the margin for error is razor-thin, Tucker’s recent spell of inconsistency has raised eyebrows and sparked conversations about what might be behind his uncharacteristic performance dip.
Examining the Numbers
Heading into the 2023 campaign, Tucker was revered as the epitome of consistency among NFL kickers, boasting a career average conversion rate of 90.5%. His accuracy was legendary, making virtually every extra point and kick seem like a foregone conclusion. Even in 2023, the shine was far from lost as he made 51 of 52 extra point attempts and was a perfect 20 for 20 on field goals inside 40 yards.
However, his performance began to waver as the season progressed. A closer statistical look offers some insight into the quandary. In the current season's first seven weeks, Tucker remained dependable, nailing all 26 of his extra points attempts and hitting 12 out of 15 field goals. But since Week 8, the narrative has taken a turn. Tucker has succeeded on only 7 of his 12 field goal attempts. Disturbingly, some of these misses have come from ranges that once seemed routine for him, including missed kicks from 50, 47, and even the dreaded 53-yard line. Perhaps most telling is his 1 of 5 success rate on kicks from 50 yards or more this season.
The Mechanic’s (Non-)Decline
There is a glimmer of solace for Tucker and his supporters, however. The overwhelming consensus remains that Tucker’s lack of sparkle doesn’t stem from an erosion of natural talent. “Obviously there's something that's a little bit off from a technique standpoint,” mused Bill Belichick—a man renowned for his football acumen. “But I don't see that there's like a lack of talent. I think there's something mechanically that he's not doing consistently. If you have the key to unlock that problem, then probably everything could be great.”
Belichick’s sentiments echo a broader belief that his slump is a temporary mechanical issue rather than a long-term decline. Even as evidence of Tucker's superior past performances come to the fore, the consensus seems to be that his talent is intact, albeit shackled by minor, correctable discrepancies in technique.
Treading Familiar Waters
Despite the current struggles, it’s worth noting that Tucker is no stranger to overcoming adversity. Last year, post-Week 13 and its subsequent bye week, he displayed tenacity and resolve by making all 21 extra point attempts and converting all 15 field goal attempts. Such feats reaffirm the prevailing belief in his ability to rebound.
Belichick also pointed out that these issues extend back to last year a bit. “Clearly this extends back even to last year a little bit, too, because there were some accuracy issues last year in the '23 season as well as the current season. So I think Coach Harbaugh is doing the right thing. I would stick with Justin Tucker,” he said, extolling Tucker’s consistent history. “This guy was the most accurate kicker in the history of football. He gets great height on the ball. He’s been super consistent. He's obviously having a little bit of a rough patch right here, but it doesn't look to me like his talent level has declined. There's something mechanically that just isn't quite right all the time. I think they just gotta work hard and try to find that.”
Looking Ahead
The spotlight remains firmly on Tucker as he faces the pressure to return to his hallmark form. With coach John Harbaugh’s confidence backing him, and the known issue being something as fixable as mechanics, the expectation is that Justin Tucker will return to his high-caliber performances sooner rather than later. For now, the Ravens and their fans can only support their kicker, hoping this chapter becomes a footnote in an otherwise exemplary career.