In the realm of NFL kickers, Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker has long stood as an exemplar of precision and reliability. Known for his pinpoint accuracy and ice-cool demeanor, Tucker holds the recognition as the most accurate kicker in NFL history. However, the 2024 season has marked an unexpected detour in his otherwise stellar career.
A Season of Surprising Struggles
Throughout his illustrious career, Tucker has dazzled fans with an impressive success rate of 89.7%. Yet as of Week 11 in the 2024 season, his performance chart paints a different picture. The Ravens’ game against divisional rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, accentuated a decline in Tucker's infallibility, with his accuracy falling to 79%. This statistic places him as the seventh-worst among kickers with a minimum of ten attempts this season.
Up until the showdown with the Steelers, Tucker had converted 15 of 19 field goals, but during the first quarter of that game, he uncharacteristically missed two field goals. The failed 42-yard and 50-yard attempts marked the first instance where Tucker, or any Ravens’ kicker, had missed twice in the opening quarter of a game.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The 2024 season has seen Tucker miss six field goals as of Week 11, bringing him perilously close to his career-high of seven misses in a single season, which he recorded back in 2015. Delving deeper into his statistics reveals a concerning trend from longer distances. Tucker is flawless when kicking from 20 to 39 yards, boasting a 9 of 9 record. As the distance increases, his success dwindles; he is 4 of 6 from 40 to 49 yards. For field goals 50 yards or longer, Tucker has hit a rough patch, converting just 2 of 6 attempts in 2024 and a mere 3 of 11 over the last two seasons.
While his field goal success has wavered, Tucker remains reliable on extra points, maintaining a near-perfect record of 37 out of 38 this season. These statistics underline the challenges he faces as his performance from beyond crucial distances is noticeably inconsistent.
Upcoming Weeks and the Path to Redemption
With six games left in the season and a bye week following the game against the Steelers, the coming weeks provide Tucker with a vital opportunity to regroup and recalibrate. This period offers him time not only to physically rest but also to mentally reset, potentially validating his status as the league’s most accurate kicker.
The remaining games of the Ravens' regular season could either reestablish Tucker’s legendary accuracy or further highlight the unexpected struggles he has faced in 2024. For the team and their fans, there is a widespread hope that the kicker will swiftly return to his former form, seamlessly splitting the uprights, especially in crucial moments that define seasons.
As the Ravens continue their push for postseason success, Tucker’s performance will undoubtedly be under scrutiny. Whether he will triumphantly overcome this challenging phase remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Tucker's legacy is one of excellence, and he, alongside the Ravens, will strive earnestly to reclaim his spot at the pinnacle of NFL kicking prowess.