A Rare Dip in Form: Justin Tucker's Challenging 2024 Season
Justin Tucker, the highly revered kicker of the Baltimore Ravens, boasts a reputation that few in the NFL can rival. Renowned for his precision, Tucker has maintained the title of the most accurate kicker in NFL history, with an impressive career success rate of 89.7%. However, the 2024 season has thrown a curveball in Tucker’s otherwise stellar career, highlighting rare struggles for the otherwise impeccable kicker.
A Season of Uncharacteristic Challenges
As the 2024 season progresses, Tucker’s performance has seen a noticeable decline. By Week 11, his field goal accuracy had dropped to 79%, a significant dip that placed him seventh-worst among the league's kickers with ten attempts or more. This decline comes as a surprise to many, considering Tucker’s consistently high standards over the years.
In the span of just eleven weeks, Tucker missed six field goals, nearing his career high of seven misses in a single season set back in 2015. This anomaly has been a talking point among fans and analysts alike, with many trying to decipher the reasons behind his uncharacteristic performance.
Struggles Against Pittsburgh
One particularly noteworthy game was against the divisional rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Prior to the contest, Tucker had successfully converted 15 of 19 field goal attempts. However, during this intense game, Tucker missed two critical field goals in the first quarter—a 42-yard attempt followed by a 50-yard effort. This marked the first instance of Tucker, or any Ravens kicker for that matter, missing two field goals in the opening quarter of a game.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Despite the rough patches, Tucker remains perfect from the 20 to 39-yard range, having converted all nine attempts in 2024. From 40 to 49 yards, he is 4 of 6, revealing some inconsistencies but still displaying competence. Nevertheless, issues are most pronounced from beyond 50 yards. In 2024, he is just 2 of 6 on attempts from this range and holds a concerning 3 of 11 success rate across the last two seasons. On the bright side, his success on extra points continues, with 37 successful kicks out of 38 attempts this season.
A Testing Time for Ravens and Tucker
The Ravens, with six games remaining after their encounter with the Steelers, will certainly be focusing on refining strategies and making adjustments where necessary. As the team heads into a much-needed bye week, they have the opportunity to regroup and plan their approach to the remaining season.
For Justin Tucker, the upcoming games provide a chance to rebound and reaffirm his standing as the NFL’s most accurate kicker. With his exceptional track record and undeniable talent, it would be premature to count him out. More than just statistics, Tucker’s career reflects resilience and a knack for rising to challenges. Ravens fans and NFL aficionados alike will be eagerly watching how this esteemed kicker navigates the rest of the 2024 season.