Justin Tucker, once hailed as the most accurate kicker in NFL history, finds himself grappling with a rare slump that has extended over the past two seasons. The Baltimore Ravens' kicker, known for his extraordinary reliability, has encountered unexpected hurdles in recent games, sparking discussions among fans and analysts alike.
A Rocky Patch in Philadelphia
Tucker's recent performance against the Philadelphia Eagles underscored these struggles. He uncharacteristically missed three field goals and an extra point—a dismal outing by his standards. This performance comes as a surprise to those familiar with Tucker’s career average, which boasted a stellar 90.5% conversion rate before 2023.
Maintaining Consistency Inside 40 Yards
Despite these challenges, Tucker's accuracy remains unfaltering on shorter attempts. In the 2023 season, he converted all 20 field goals from inside 40 yards, underscoring his continued proficiency from shorter distances. These statistics reflect the consistency that has defined his career, yet the issues from long range persist.
Struggles Beyond 50 Yards
The primary concern lies with Tucker's performance on longer attempts. In 2023, he successfully made just 1 of 5 field goal attempts from beyond 50 yards. Furthermore, since the eighth week of the current season, he has missed crucial kicks from distances of 50, 47, 50, 47, and 53 yards. Such figures would have been unthinkable for the kicker who once instilled confidence in all circumstances.
Insight from the Experts
New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick offered his perspective on Tucker’s situation. Belichick noted, “Obviously there's something that's a little bit off from a technique standpoint. But I don't see that there's like a lack of talent. I think there's something mechanically that he's not doing consistently. If you have the key to unlock that problem, then probably everything could be great.” Belichick’s observations highlight a mechanical issue rather than a decline in talent.
Backing from the Ravens
Despite his recent struggles, Tucker remains a pivotal figure in Baltimore. Coach John Harbaugh has shown unwavering support for his kicker. As Belichick pointed out, “Clearly this extends back even to last year a little bit, too, because there were some accuracy issues last year in the '23 season as well as the current season. So I think Coach Harbaugh is doing the right thing. I would stick with Justin Tucker. This guy was the most accurate kicker in the history of football.”
By maintaining confidence in Tucker, Harbaugh recognizes the value of a player whose career has been defined by consistent excellence. Prior to the recent downturn, following last season’s Week 13 bye, Tucker exhibited textbook form by making all 21 extra point attempts and converting all 15 field goal tries.
Looking Forward
For a kicker of Tucker’s caliber, overcoming this setback seems not only possible but probable. His ability to analyze and rectify any mechanical flaws could prove to be the key to a turnaround. As the season progresses, both fans and coaches remain hopeful that Tucker will regain the form that made him a household name in the NFL.
With his proven track record and a history of resilience, Justin Tucker's narrative continues to be one of intrigue in the league. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on him, not only to see if he can overcome these obstacles but to witness the precision that once set him apart as the gold standard of kicking in professional football.