Justin Tucker’s reputation as the NFL’s most reliable kicker is facing an unexpected challenge this season.
The Baltimore Ravens’ star, who has set the gold standard for kicking over the past decade, is experiencing an uncharacteristic slump that has raised eyebrows across the league.
In the first two games against the Chiefs and Raiders, Tucker missed two 50-yard field goals.
The trend continued in Week 3 when he failed to convert from 46 yards out.
This string of misses is a stark departure from Tucker’s usual precision, prompting NFL Insider Dov Kleiman to point out that Tucker now leads the league in missed field goals this season.
Most Field Goal misses this season:
Justin Tucker – 3
Washed? pic.twitter.com/IOmXYKU80D
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 22, 2024
Tucker has now missed six of his last seven attempts from 50-plus yards, a significant drop from his impressive 83% success rate (30-of-36) on such kicks between 2016 and 2021.
His long-range accuracy, once a hallmark of his game, seems to have faltered.
However, Tucker remains almost perfect on field goals inside 50 yards this season and hasn’t missed an extra point.
His overall consistency is still evident, especially when compared to peers like Brandon Aubrey, who missed more extra points last year than Tucker has in the past four seasons combined.
Therefore, Tucker’s value to the Ravens extends beyond mere statistics despite his current ranking at No. 4 among kickers for 2024.
He’s known for making clutch kicks under pressure and providing invaluable leadership.
Most NFL coaches would still choose Tucker for a game-winning kick in high-stakes situations.
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