Challenges for the Ravens' Star Kicker
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, known for his exceptional precision and consistency, is facing a challenging season. The 34-year-old athlete has been celebrated as the most accurate kicker in NFL history, boasting a career field goal percentage of 89.7%. However, this season has not entirely reflected his usual prowess.
Tucker currently holds the seventh-worst field goal percentage in the league, hitting only 79% of his attempts for the season. This statistic contrasts sharply with his typically high standards. In a recent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens suffered an 18-16 loss, and Tucker's performance was under significant scrutiny.
A Difficult Game Against the Steelers
For the first time in his career, Tucker missed two field goal attempts in the opening quarter of a game. These missed opportunities, both lengthy attempts, set a precedent for his career with the Ravens, marking a rare lapse in his otherwise reliable record. Despite these early challenges, Tucker managed to convert a 54-yard attempt in the third quarter, a testament to his ability to adjust under pressure. His sole extra-point attempt in the game was also successful.
When asked about a possible common cause for his missed kicks this season, Tucker responded, "Not really, no." He clarified his standpoint by adding, "Each kick is its own kick," suggesting that each attempt poses its distinct challenges and circumstances.
Analyzing Tucker’s Season Performance
Throughout the current season, Tucker has made 15 out of 19 field goal attempts before the crushing game against the Steelers. His record is flawless from 20 to 39 yards, successfully converting 3 of 3 and 6 of 6 respectively. However, between 40 to 49 yards, his accuracy dips slightly to 4 out of 6. The biggest challenge seems to lie in the 50 to 59-yard range, where Tucker has struggled, achieving success on only 3 of 7 attempts. In fact, over the last two seasons, his success rate for 50-plus-yard attempts stands at a disappointing 4 out of 12.
His current performance puts him just a miss away from equalling his personal record of seven field goal misses in a single season, a figure last seen in 2015. Despite these struggles, he has been nearly flawless on extra-point attempts, converting 38 out of 39 attempts this year.
Resilience Amidst the Pressure
Justin Tucker's consistency over the years has established him as a key player in the Baltimore Ravens' lineup. Even as he faces a rough patch this season, his ability to make adjustments, as evidenced in the Steelers game, speaks volumes about his mental resilience and professional approach. Tucker admitted to making a "tweak before his third attempt" against Pittsburgh, highlighting his proactive approach to overcoming challenges.
As the 2024 season unfolds, with six games remaining on the Ravens' schedule, Tucker's continued accuracy will be crucial. Each game presents an opportunity for him to return to his gold-standard form, and even amidst the current pressure, Ravens fans and teammates alike look to him as a reliable figure in tough situations.
This season may test Justin Tucker more than any in recent memory, but given his track record and mental fortitude, it would seem premature to discount one of the NFL’s finest kickers. He remains integral to the Ravens' ambitions, poised to respond with the professionalism and skill that has defined his career. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Tucker to see if he can once again prove why he is revered as the most accurate kicker in the history of the game.