Justin Tucker Experience Uncharacteristic Struggles in 2024 Season
Justin Tucker, known for his unwavering precision and clutch performances, has long held the title of the most accurate kicker in NFL history, boasting an impressive 89.7% success rate over his career. However, the 2024 season has brought unexpected challenges for the Baltimore Ravens' dependable kicker, revealing a dip in form that is unusual for the record-holder.
A Season of hnding Difficulties
As of Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season, Tucker's field goal success rate has dwindled to 79%, a significant decrease from his career average. This has positioned him as the seventh-worst kicker among those with at least ten attempts. Before the season's halfway mark, Tucker had missed six field goals, approaching his career-high of seven missed attempts set in 2015.
One of the standout moments of Tucker's troubled season occurred during a crucial divisional game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite having made 15 of 19 field goals prior to the matchup, Tucker faltered in the first quarter, missing two attempts—one from 42 yards and another from 50 yards. Notably, this was the first time Tucker, or any kicker in Ravens history, failed twice in the opening quarter of a game.
Distance Makes the Difference
While Tucker remains perfect from a more manageable distance, successfully converting all nine of his attempts from 20 to 39 yards, his accuracy has waned beyond that range. For kicks ranging from 40 to 49 yards, Tucker has made 4 out of 6 attempts in 2024. The greatest concern lies in his deep field goals; he has only managed 2 successful kicks out of 6 from beyond 50 yards this season, and across the past two seasons, he is merely 3 of 11 from this distance. These unexpected struggles from longer ranges underscore the difficulties facing the kicker once celebrated for a near-automatic accuracy.
Reassessing the Routine
One facet of Tucker's game that remains consistent is his proficiency in extra point attempts, where he has converted 37 of 38 thus far in 2024. This steadiness in extra points suggests that the issue may be less about formality and more about the complexity added by distance and game situation in longer field goals.
Despite these unusual statistics, the Ravens still have ample opportunity to recalibrate their approach. Following their matchup against the Steelers, the team has six remaining games post-bye week to not only solidify their position in the league but also possibly to help Tucker regain his storied form.
The current dip in Tucker's performance stands as a reminder of the ever-evolving challenges present in professional sports. As a player who has been nearly synonymous with reliability for over a decade, the coming weeks will be pivotal in evaluating Tucker's adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity. With a bye week to regroup and strategize, both Tucker and the Ravens have the chance to turn the season around, reinforcing faith in a kicker who has delivered so consistently in the past.