In the high-stakes world of NFL football, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker stands out as a paragon of precision and skill. Known as the most accurate kicker in NFL history with an impressive career field goal percentage of 89.7%, Tucker's reputation is both earned and well-deserved. However, like any athlete, he is not immune to the occasional dip in form.
The Uncharacteristic Struggles of Justin Tucker
The current season has presented challenges for the highly esteemed kicker. Tucker, who is 34 years old, finds himself with a field goal percentage of 79% — ranking as the seventh-worst among kickers with a minimum of ten attempts. This surprising statistic has sparked conversations among fans and analysts alike, particularly following the Ravens' recent narrow 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In that game, a rare string of misfortune struck as Tucker missed two lengthy field goal attempts in the first quarter — an unprecedented event in his career with the Ravens. Prior to these misses, he had converted 15 of 19 field goal tries, maintaining a standard performance level.
A Veteran’s Perspective
Despite these setbacks, Tucker continues to display a resolve shaped by years of experience. When questioned about the potential reasons behind the unusual misses, the kicker remained unfazed. "Not really, no," he replied, suggesting no common cause for his missed kicks. The veteran further elaborated, "Each kick is its own kick," emphasizing the individuality of every attempt and perhaps alluding to the unpredictable nature of the game.
Tucker does not rely on complacency. After missing his initial attempts against the Steelers, he made some critical adjustments before successfully converting a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter. His adaptability remains a testament to his enduring skill and mental resilience. Such changes are part of any athlete's toolkit, and Tucker's willingness to tweak his approach mid-game underscores his commitment to his craft.
Solid on the Short to Mid-Range
While his long-range statistics this season might seem troubling, Tucker remains flawless from shorter distances. He has perfected his performance from 20 to 39 yards, making 3 of 3 and 6 of 6, respectively. His record from 40 to 49 yards remains strong as well, standing at 4 of 6.
The real challenge lies in the 50 to 59-yard range, where his current season performance is 3 of 7. This range is often a stress point for even the most seasoned kickers. Over the past two seasons, this has become a pattern, with Tucker making 4 of 12 attempts from beyond 50 yards.
Future Outlook
Tucker's track record with extra-point attempts paints a different picture, however, showcasing his reliability in scoring situations. This year, he has successfully made 38 out of 39 extra-point attempts and showed his proficiency with a clean conversion in the game against the Steelers.
Despite the challenges, the Ravens' faithful remain hopeful for a turnaround in Tucker's fortunes as the team navigates the remainder of their 2024 schedule. With six games left, the kicker is one missed field goal shy of equaling his personal record of seven misses in a single season, a record he last set in 2015. Whether he manages to avoid this unwanted milestone remains to be seen.
In the world of professional sports, slumps are inevitable, even for the best. Justin Tucker finds himself in an unfamiliar territory, but his career speaks volumes about resilience and excellence. As he continues to fine-tune his approach, his fans eagerly await the return of the kicker known for raising the standard in the NFL.