Justin Tucker: A Struggling Season for NFL’s Most Accurate Kicker
In the world of the NFL, few names have been as synonymous with precision and reliability as Justin Tucker. The 34-year-old kicker for the Baltimore Ravens is widely acknowledged as the most accurate kicker in the league’s history, boasting an impressive field goal percentage of 89.7%. Yet, this season has presented unexpected challenges for Tucker, raising eyebrows and inviting questions about the veteran’s performance.
This year, Justin Tucker finds himself with the seventh-worst field goal percentage among kickers who have attempted at least ten field goals. His current rate stands at a surprising 79%, a significant drop from his career norm. The Ravens' recent 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers threw Tucker's struggles into stark relief. In that game, he missed two lengthy field goal attempts in a shaky first quarter. Notably, this marked the first instance in Ravens history where a kicker missed twice in the opening quarter.
On this rare off day against the Steelers, Tucker was able to regain some composure. After consulting with his coaches and making a subtle "tweak" in his approach, he successfully converted a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter. Additionally, he managed to score his sole extra-point attempt, reminiscent of his classic reliability. Despite setbacks, Tucker’s dedication to fine-tuning his craft remains evident. As he put it when asked about a common thread behind his missed kicks, “Not really, no. Each kick is its own kick.”
A deeper dive into Tucker's season statistics reveals a nuanced picture. He remains flawless from short and medium ranges, going 3-for-3 on field goals from 20 to 39 yards and 6-for-6 from 30 to 39 yards. However, challenges arise with longer distances. Tucker's record from 40 to 49 yards is a decent 4-for-6, but from 50 to 59 yards, he has managed just 3-for-7. This makes his recent performances all the more puzzling given his reputation for exceptional accuracy over the years.
Comparing his current stats with previous seasons illustrates this point. Over the last two years, Tucker's performance for field goal attempts over 50 yards stands at only 4 of 12—a far cry from his once-dominant capabilities. Yet, his reliability in extra-point scenarios remains largely intact, converting 38 out of 39 this year. Despite these hiccups in his performances from long range, fans and analysts alike know that statistics can sometimes mask the complexities faced by athletes at the peak of high-stakes games.
Moreover, this season, Tucker is perilously close to equaling an unwanted personal record. With six games left in the 2024 schedule, he is just one missed field goal shy of matching his career-high of seven such misses in a single season, a figure he last reached in 2015. This looming milestone underscores the unpredictable nature of sport and the thin margins that separate triumph from adversity.
The coming weeks will test Tucker’s resolve and method, especially as the Ravens push toward important late-season matchups and potential playoff implications. That said, those familiar with Tucker’s career know what he is capable of when the pressure is highest. Even though this season hasn’t gone to script, the book is far from closed on Justin Tucker’s storied career. With each game and each kick, he continues to remind us that sometimes, adjusting and adapting is as integral to athletic success as raw talent and historic precedent.
As the Ravens look toward these final games of the season, Tucker’s form will undoubtedly be a point of focus. But in a league where the stakes are constantly high, he remains a kicker capable of recalibrating quickly. And as the saying in the league goes, the best bet is never to rule out Justin Tucker when the spotlight is the brightest and the game is on the line.