The Baltimore Ravens' Justin Tucker, a name synonymous with precision and reliability, finds himself navigating a peculiar chapter in what has been an illustrious NFL career. At 34, Tucker is widely regarded as the most accurate kicker in NFL history, boasting a remarkable 89.7% field goal success rate. However, this season has presented an unexpected twist for the veteran kicker.
Troubles in Pittsburgh
In a recent clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens fell short in an 18-16 defeat. Tucker's performance in this game marked an unusual deviation from his normally flawless execution. Tucker missed two lengthy field goal attempts in the first quarter, setting a dubious first for a Ravens kicker. These misses were pivotal in the narrow defeat, but to his credit, Tucker did connect on a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter, following a mid-game adjustment. "Made a tweak before his third attempt," he said, providing insight into his methodical approach to the game.
His only extra-point attempt in the matchup was successfully converted, yet the two initial misses lingered over the outcome like a shadow. Tucker, renowned for his mental resilience, described each kick as an independent challenge: "Each kick is its own kick," he remarked when queried about the consistency of his miss patterns. "Not really, no," was his succinct response when asked about a common cause behind the misfires.
Season Performance and Pressures
Amidst the uncharacteristic blunders, Tucker's overall performance this season paints a broader picture. He ranks with the seventh-worst field goal percentage in the league at 79%, a noticeable dip from his storied career average. With a current tally of 15 successful field goals out of 19 attempts prior to the Steelers game, Tucker's specific proficiency from various distances is telling.
From within the 20 to 39-yard range, Tucker remains perfect, converting all nine of his attempts spread across these distances. Between 40 and 49 yards, he has achieved a commendable four out of six. However, it's from 50 yards or more where his precision seems to waver. Tucker has made just three of seven attempts this season within the 50 to 59-yard bracket. This mirrors a larger trend over the past two seasons, where he has managed four successful kicks out of 12 attempts from beyond 50 yards.
Chasing Previous Records
This season's challenges see Tucker nearing personal historical markers, but perhaps not of the type he would prefer. With one more missed field goal, Tucker will potentially tie his personal record of seven misses in a single season, a statistic last observed in 2015. Nevertheless, in the realm of extra-point attempts, he stands supreme with 38 of 39 converted this year, underscoring his continued reliability in that arena.
The Ravens, with six games remaining on their 2024 schedule, will undoubtedly rely on Tucker's ability to re-center and reclaim his formidable form. As any seasoned athlete understands, the essence of sport is as much cognitive as it is physical. Tucker himself embodies this with his stoic approach to recent struggles, reaffirming the notion that at the NFL level, consistency is often the ultimate measure of greatness.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Tucker, observing whether he can navigate this unanticipated detour in his career trajectory. With age and wisdom on his side, and a track record peppered with success, it would be unwise to bet against the NFL's most accurate kicker rediscovering his groove. After all, the legacy of Justin Tucker is not measured by a few missteps but by the ability to convert opportunity into excellence, one kick at a time.