Justin Tucker, the Baltimore Ravens' iconic kicker, has long been celebrated for his unparalleled precision, holding the title of the most accurate kicker in NFL history. As the 2024 season progresses, however, Tucker finds himself grappling with unusual challenges, falling below his own exceptional standards.
A Dip in Precision
Entering the 2024 season, Tucker maintained an impressive 89.7% career field goal success rate, but by Week 11, his accuracy had stumbled to 79%. This marked a concerning departure from his usually consistent performance. With six missed field goals, Tucker is nearing a personal low point, just shy of his career high of seven misses in a single season back in 2015.
Among kickers with at least ten attempts this year, Tucker's accuracy currently places him as the seventh-worst. Such statistics are an anomaly for a player known for clutch performances and remarkable precision throughout his tenure with the Ravens.
Stumbles Against the Steelers
In a recent divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tucker's struggles were starkly highlighted. Before the game, he had successfully converted 15 of 19 field goals for the season. The first quarter against the Steelers, however, brought unexpected adversity. Tucker missed two field goals in quick succession—a 42-yarder and a 50-yarder—making it the first time he or any Ravens kicker had missed two attempts in the opening quarter of a game.
Despite these setbacks, Tucker remains flawless on shorter attempts of 20 to 39 yards, boasting a perfect 9 of 9 record thus far this season. It's in the longer distances where the inconsistencies manifest, with Tucker recording 4 of 6 on attempts from 40 to 49 yards and 2 of 6 from beyond 50 yards. Over the past two seasons, his success beyond the 50-yard mark has also waned, with just 3 of 11 successful conversions.
Maintaining Confidence
Tucker's ability to maintain composure under pressure is legendary, and he continues to exhibit skill in other facets of his kicking duties. His extra-point conversions have remained dependably high, connecting on 37 out of 38 attempts in 2024.
As the Ravens look to recalibrate after their bye week following the Steelers game, Tucker faces six more opportunities to improve his performance and return to his historic levels of reliability. For the Ravens, having a kicker with Tucker's track record is an asset, and the team remains optimistic that these recent struggles are but a temporary blip in an otherwise stellar career.
With Tucker's prolific skills, it's reasonable to expect a return to form soon. His career has been defined by resilience and an unwavering commitment to excellence, qualities that are sure to guide him through this turbulent phase.