Tucker's Troubling Turn: A Baltimore Legend's Uncharacteristic Slump
For a decade, Justin Tucker has been the unwavering constant in the Baltimore Ravens' ever-evolving roster. Known as the NFL's most accurate kicker, Tucker's career field goal success rate of 89.7% had solidified his status as a near-legendary figure in professional football. Yet, as the 2024 season unfolds, Tucker finds himself navigating unfamiliar territory — a performance downturn that has even the most loyal Ravens supporters raising eyebrows.
Through the first 11 weeks of the 2024 season, Justin Tucker's field goal accuracy has noticeably declined to 79%, placing him near the bottom tier among kickers with at least ten attempts. This statistical anomaly has positioned Tucker as the seventh-worst in his peer group, a far cry from his typical elite performance.
The sudden dip in form raises concerns among Ravens fans and analysts, as Tucker, an integral component of Baltimore's scoring machine for years, has already missed six field goals by this point in the season. Interestingly, this number puts him on the verge of matching his career-high of seven missed field goals in a single season, a record he set back in 2015.
A Rough Matchup Against Pittsburgh
The divisional clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers highlighted Tucker's struggles this season. Entering the game, Tucker had converted 15 of 19 field goal attempts, yet he faltered with two critical misses in the opening quarter. The 42-yard and 50-yard missed attempts cast a shadow over his customary precision under pressure. Notably, it marked the first occasion that Tucker, or any Ravens kicker, missed two field goals in the opening quarter of a game, further emphasizing the unusual nature of his current season.
Distance Dilemmas
One peculiar aspect of Tucker's 2024 season is the variance in his accuracy based on the distance. From 20 to 39 yards, Tucker remains flawless, having nailed all nine of his attempts. However, the trouble starts creeping in beyond 40 yards. Tucker is 4 of 6 from 40 to 49 yards this season, a respectable but not outstanding figure by his standards. More concerning is his performance on attempts beyond 50 yards — two successful kicks out of six attempts this season and only 3 of 11 over the past two seasons suggest an area in dire need of improvement.
Still Reliable on Extra Points
Despite the struggles with field goals, Tucker has maintained an impressive success rate on extra points, connecting on 37 of 38 attempts. This aspect of his game provides a glimmer of reassurance to the Ravens as they move forward into the critical phase of the season.
Next Steps for the Ravens and Tucker
Following the game against the Steelers, Tucker and the Ravens have a bye week, offering them a much-needed opportunity to regroup and re-strategize. With six games left in the season, Baltimore will be looking to their veteran kicker to reclaim his form and contribute to a potential playoff run.
Justin Tucker's challenges in 2024 illustrate an unexpected twist in the career of one of the league's most celebrated kickers. As the Ravens continue their campaign, the focus will be on how he adapts and responds. His ability to navigate through these struggles will not only shape the Ravens' prospects but could also redefine his legacy in the annals of NFL history.