The Baltimore Ravens continue to support their long-time kicker, Justin Tucker, despite his struggles in a recent 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Tucker, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the most accurate kicker in NFL history had a rare off-day, missing three kicks for the first time in his 13-season career. He missed an extra point, a 47-yard field goal, and a 53-yard field goal, with the latter two attempts coming in critical moments during the third quarter when the Ravens trailed 14-12. This performance highlighted a significant dip in Tucker’s typically reliable kicking, and it cost the Ravens in a close game.
Head coach John Harbaugh defended Tucker after the loss, affirming that the team would not be moving on from the veteran kicker. Despite the missed kicks, Harbaugh expressed confidence in Tucker’s ability to recover. Tucker himself took responsibility for the mistakes, acknowledging that he had let the team down but vowed to keep working and improving. He explained that focusing on the next opportunity was the best way to move forward, although the performance marked a concerning trend for a player who has been consistently outstanding throughout his career.
Tucker’s struggles this season have been surprising given his historic success. With the highest career field goal percentage in NFL history, he had long been a model of accuracy and clutch performance. However, through 13 weeks of the 2024 season, Tucker’s conversion rate has dropped to 70.4%, ranking him 33rd in the league. He has missed 10 kicks this season, including eight field goals and two extra points, leading the NFL in missed kicks. This slump has raised questions about his consistency, especially given his past performances, including a record-setting 66-yard field goal in 2021.
Despite the struggles, his teammates, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, remain confident in his abilities. Jackson expressed unwavering support, calling Tucker “the GOAT” and encouraging him to block out the noise and return to form. The Ravens’ confidence in Tucker is rooted in his extensive track record of success, and both Harbaugh and Jackson believe he is capable of regaining his top form. Harbaugh emphasized that Tucker is aware of his shortcomings and that he will work hard to address them, with the support of the team.
Tucker, who was a key figure in the Ravens’ last Super Bowl championship in 2012, plans to use the upcoming bye week to focus on correcting any technical issues that may be affecting his performance. Reflecting on his past struggles, Tucker noted that this was his biggest slump since 2015, a year in which he missed seven field goals. After that season, he rebounded with one of his best years in 2016. Tucker is determined to fix his issues and return to his elite form, reaffirming his commitment to helping the Ravens win games moving forward.
