Justin Tucker Faces Challenges in Uncharacteristic Season
In a surprising turn of events, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, renowned for his precision and reliability, finds himself amidst an inconsistent season. At 34 years old, Tucker is no stranger to pressure moments, holding the distinction of being the most accurate kicker in NFL history with a staggering field goal success rate of 89.7%. However, this season presents new hurdles that have seen his performance level drop below expectation.
This decline in form was highlighted starkly in the Ravens' narrow 18-16 defeat to their arch-rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tucker's struggles were evident early in the game as he missed two long-distance field goal attempts in the opening quarter—a first for any Ravens kicker in the franchise's history. The questions about Tucker’s form seem valid considering his field goal percentage has plummeted to 79% this season, placing him seventh-worst among NFL kickers with at least ten attempts.
In a candid post-game discussion, when asked about a potential common underlying issue causing these misses, Tucker demurred, stating succinctly, "Not really, no." He further clarified his perspective, emphasizing that "each kick is its own kick," a reflection of his focus and attention to every attempt individually rather than attributing misses to a larger trend.
Adjustments Amidst Turbulence
Tucker has made some adjustments during this tumultuous stretch, as evidenced in the game against Pittsburgh. Despite the early frustrations, he redeemed himself with a successful 54-yard field goal in the third quarter. This was achieved after he "made a tweak before his third attempt," a testament to his resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.
This season, Tucker has been flawless from 20 to 39 yards, executing 3 out of 3 and 6 out of 6 attempts, respectively. His accuracy dips slightly in the 40 to 49-yard range with four successful conversions out of six. The real challenge comes with distance; between 50 and 59 yards this season, he has managed only three successful attempts out of seven. Over the past two seasons, this difficulty with longer attempts has become noticeable, as he has converted only 4 out of 12 from beyond 50 yards.
Nearing Unwanted Milestones
As the Ravens look ahead to the remaining six games on their 2024 schedule, there is an added layer of personal significance for Tucker. This season, he finds himself on the brink of tying his personal record for the most missed field goals in a single season, a mark currently at seven, last recorded in 2015. With one fewer miss, Tucker will equal this unfortunate milestone, an outcome he clearly would prefer to avoid.
Still, not all statistics have been grim for Tucker; his performance on extra points has been nearly impeccable. He has successfully converted 38 out of 39 attempts this year, maintaining his typically high standards in this aspect of his game.
The Ravens' special teams star remains a vital component of their squad, and his ability to bounce back and deliver when it counts will be crucial in the games ahead. Despite the recent struggles, Tucker's legendary prowess and competitive spirit are expected to shine through, serving as a catalyst for his return to form. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Tucker to see how he navigates this challenging phase and endeavors to restore his standing as the league's most accurate kicker.