Baltimore's Bumpy Road: Justin Tucker's Struggles in a Rocky Season
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, a name synonymous with precision in the NFL, has been facing uncharacteristic challenges this season. At 34, Tucker holds the distinction of being the most accurate kicker in league history, boasting an impressive career field goal percentage of 89.7%. Nevertheless, the current season has been less kind to him, as he endures one of his toughest stretches in recent memory.
In the Ravens' recent 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tucker's struggles were on full display. It was a game marked by missed opportunities, as Tucker failed to convert two field goal attempts in the first quarter for the first time in the franchise's history. These misses were more unusual given Tucker's general dominance on the field, and they came at a critical juncture for a team in pursuit of playoff aspirations.
Throughout the season, Tucker's performance has been below his customary standards. His field goal success rate stands at 79%, ranking him seventh-worst among NFL kickers who have attempted at least ten field goals. Before facing off against the Steelers, Tucker had executed 15 out of 19 field goals, indicating a dip from his typically high conversion rate.
Despite these setbacks, Tucker has remained resolute in maintaining his confidence. When questioned about any potential common denominators behind his recent misses, Tucker replied, "Not really, no," underscoring the randomness of such occurrences. He further explained, "Each kick is its own kick," emphasizing his mindset of treating each kick independently, irrespective of previous attempts.
However, the Steelers game wasn't entirely devoid of positives for Tucker. After adjusting his approach, he successfully nailed a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter, marking a momentary return to form. In addition, he was flawless in his lone extra-point attempt during the game.
Analyzing his performance across distances, Tucker remains impeccable from 20 to 39 yards, with perfect records of 3 of 3 and 6 of 6, respectively. His accuracy drops slightly from 40 to 49 yards, where he has managed to convert 4 of 6 attempts. The real challenge has emerged from the longer ranges; between 50 and 59 yards, he has hit 3 out of 7 field goals this season. Moreover, over the past two seasons, his record stands at 4 of 12 for attempts exceeding 50 yards.
Tucker's trajectory this season suggests he is on the brink of hitting an unwelcome personal milestone. With already six missed field goals, he's only one shy of equaling his personal record of seven misses in a single season, a mark he last reached in 2015. Nonetheless, Tucker has been nearly perfect with extra-point attempts, having converted 38 out of 39 this year, providing a silver lining to his otherwise rocky season.
Looking ahead, the Ravens have six more games remaining on their 2024 schedule. For a team and kicker used to success, these upcoming matches will be crucial in redefining their season. Tucker's perseverance and ability to tweak his technique mid-game, as demonstrated against the Steelers, may well be the key to reversing his fortunes. As the pressure mounts, all eyes will be on Tucker to see if he can reassert his mantle as the NFL's most reliable kicker.