Ravens' Justin Tucker Faces Uncharacteristic Struggles in the 2024 Season
Baltimore Ravens' kicker Justin Tucker has long been celebrated as one of the most reliable figures in the NFL. With a career success rate that sees him positioned as the most accurate kicker in the league's history—boasting an impressive 89.7%—Tucker has consistently set the bar high. Yet, the 2024 season tells a different story, one that sees Tucker grappling with unprecedented challenges.
As of Week 11 of the 2024 season, Tucker's accuracy has notably dipped, with a field goal success rate of just 79%. This is a stark contrast to his career average and places him among the league's lower-tier performers this season—seventh worst among kickers with at least ten attempts. A surprising development for the kicker who historically shatters records rather than missing kicks.
By Week 11, Tucker had missed six field goals, a tally that edges dangerously close to his career high of seven misses back in 2015. This year, his journey on the field has been a departure from the expected narrative of precision. The Ravens' recent divisional game against the Pittsburgh Steelers accentuated this uncharacteristic struggle. Heading into the contest, Tucker had successfully converted 15 of 19 field goals, but by the end of the first quarter against the Steelers, he had already missed two more.
In a scenario that was a first in both his career and Ravens history, Tucker missed two attempts in the opening quarter—distressing misses from 42 yards and 50 yards. This puzzling development may stem from several factors, perhaps mechanical adjustments or even evolving defensive patterns from opponents.
Breaking down his performance this season, there are segments where Tucker remains as consistent as ever, maintaining a perfect 9 for 9 record from distances between 20 to 39 yards. But the trouble appears to emerge as the distance increases. From 40 to 49 yards, Tucker's record sits at 4 of 6. The situation becomes even more challenging when examining attempts from beyond 50 yards, where he has achieved only 2 of 6 field goals in 2024. Over the past two seasons, this number extends to 3 of 11—a pattern that certainly invites scrutiny.
Despite these field goal inconsistencies, Tucker's ability to convert extra points remains almost impeccable, having succeeded on 37 out of 38 attempts this season. This shows that while long-range kicks have faltered, his short-range repertoire remains largely unaffected, underscoring his continued reliability, at least in situations not involving extended distances.
These performance fluctuations come at a critical juncture. The Ravens still have six games remaining after their bye week, a strategically opportune time for Tucker and the team to recalibrate. The Ravens will certainly be banking on Tucker's historical prowess to rebound, leveraging his experience and skill to navigate through the remainder of the season.
The Baltimore squad and their coaching staff must now consider both strategic and psychological approaches to revitalize Tucker's game. Whether this involves analyzing game footage, adjusting training regimens, or perhaps even looking at the impact of in-game pressure, the Ravens will undoubtedly leave no stone unturned as they work towards harnessing Tucker's undeniably remarkable talent.
As the 2024 NFL season unfolds, all eyes will be on Tucker's formidable return. His track record suggests he is more than capable of overcoming this rough patch and restoring his standing as the league's premier kicker. For Ravens fans, the hope is that Tucker's temporary setback will soon become a mere footnote in a storied career defined by resilience and record-breaking success.