Analyzing Justin Tucker's Uncharacteristic 2024 Season
The Baltimore Ravens have long relied on Justin Tucker's leg as a crucial weapon in their arsenal, renowned for his precision and touted as the most accurate kicker in NFL history. With an unprecedented career field goal success rate of 89.7%, Tucker's reliability has been nearly unquestionable. However, the 2024 season has introduced a rare chapter in Tucker's illustrious career—one that includes uncharacteristic wobbles.
As of Week 11 in the 2024 season, Tucker's field goal accuracy has dipped to 79%, unsettling statistics from a kicker accustomed to topping the charts. This significant downturn places him among the seventh-worst kickers in the league when considering those with at least ten attempts. Notably, Tucker had already missed six field goals, inching dangerously close to his career-high of seven misses in a single season set back in 2015.
Struggles Evident Against Pittsburgh
The recent divisional game against the Pittsburgh Steelers marked a particularly rough outing for Tucker. Having come into the game with an already shaky record of 15 out of 19 field goals, Tucker faltered early, missing two crucial attempts in the opening quarter. The errors were notable not just statistically but historically, marking the first time Tucker—or any Ravens kicker—missed two field goals in the first quarter of a game.
The missed opportunities included one from 42 yards and another from 50 yards, both of which would generally fall under Tucker's domain of specialty. Historically a powerhouse from long range, Tucker's discomfort from beyond 50 yards was palpable. He remains a mere 2 out of 6 on such attempts for the 2024 season and a concerning 3 of 11 over the last two seasons.
Unblemished Short Range Record
Despite the long-range setbacks, Tucker maintains a perfect record within the 20 to 39-yard range, victorious on all 9 attempts thus far. This consistency up close offers a glimmer of the standard excellence associated with his name. Meanwhile, efforts from 40 to 49 yards remain steadier, with Tucker securing 4 out of 6 attempts. Such numbers, while respectable for many, highlight the disparity from his typical dominance.
Success at Extra Points
Tucker's success rate on extra points has stayed reassuringly high, having missed only one attempt out of 38 this season. This aspect of Tucker's play remains stable, but it does little to mask the larger narrative of his struggles with field goals this year.
Looking Forward
As the season progresses, the Baltimore Ravens are afforded a brief respite—a bye week following their match against the Steelers. This break comes at a potentially opportune time for Tucker to recalibrate and for the team to strategize. With six crucial games remaining in the regular season, each kick will undoubtedly carry weightier implications, both for playoff aspirations and for Tucker’s quest to reestablish his trademark precision.
The hope remains that this dip is merely a temporary setback in a storied career defined by excellence. For now, Tucker and the Ravens must adapt, recognizing that even the most reliable weapons occasionally require recalibration. Whether Tucker can return to his record-setting form will unfold in the weeks to come. What remains clear, however, is that Justin Tucker’s legacy, underscored by an overwhelming history of success, isn’t written in a single season’s statistics, but rather in the resilience and drive to overcome them.