Renowned for his exceptional accuracy and strong leg, Justin Tucker has long been considered one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL. However, recent performances indicate that the Baltimore Ravens kicker is navigating through an uncharacteristic slump that is raising eyebrows across the league.
A Dip in Performance
On an otherwise typical day against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tucker missed three field goals and an extra point – a performance blip that shook fans and followers who have come to expect the highest standards from the kicker. The missed kicks point to an ongoing trend of inconsistency that has shadowed Tucker's recent performances.
Historically, Tucker has set a high bar. Before the current season, he boasted a career average conversion rate of 90.5%. In 2023, his statistics largely stayed in line with that storied past, as he made all 20 field goals within 40 yards and converted 51 of 52 extra point attempts. He also achieved 11 out of 12 success on longer-range kicks spanning from 40 to 49 yards.
Yet, it’s Tucker’s trouble with distance that has drawn attention. In 2023, he struggled notably with kicks 50 yards or more, managing just one out of five attempts. Similar challenges have bled into the current season, particularly evident since Week 8 as he connected on only seven out of 12 field goal attempts, with crucial misses from distances of 50, 47, 50, 47, and 53 yards.
Identifying the Issue
Analyzing these numbers, it seems the issue is less about ability and more about mechanics. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick weighed in on the matter, providing pointed insights that resonate with those tracking Tucker’s career. “Obviously there's something that's a little bit off from a technique standpoint. But I don't see that there's like a lack of talent. I think there's something mechanically that he's not doing consistently. If you have the key to unlock that problem, then probably everything could be great.”
Belichick’s comments underscore a sentiment shared by many in the football community: Tucker's talent and raw ability remain undisputed. His technique, however, seems to have hit a snag requiring attention and adjustment.
Recovering His Form
Last season provided glimpses of Tucker's resilience and potential to bounce back. Following the Ravens' Week 13 bye, he delivered perfect performances by obliging all 21 extra points and hitting all 15 field goals thereafter. This resilience paints a promising picture that despite his recent struggles, Tucker is capable of reclaiming his peak form with the right focus and adjustments.
Belichick added additional support, recognizing the latent expertise ingrained in Tucker’s approach: “Clearly this extends back even to last year a little bit, too, because there were some accuracy issues last year in the '23 season as well as the current season. So I think Coach Harbaugh is doing the right thing. I would stick with Justin Tucker. This guy was the most accurate kicker in the history of football. He gets great height on the ball. He's been super consistent. He's obviously having a little bit of a rough patch right here, but it doesn't look to me like his talent level has declined. There's something mechanically that just isn't quite right all the time. I think they just gotta work hard and try to find that.”
Looking Ahead
As all eyes focus on the procedural and mechanical adjustments the Ravens’ coaching staff might explore, optimism remains high about Tucker’s capacity to climb back to his former levels of excellence. Making 26 of 26 extra point attempts and 12 of 15 field goals in the season’s opening seven weeks demonstrates that his skills are intact, albeit needing refinement.
In the complex world of sports, a slight hitch in timing or technique can make the difference between ordinary and extraordinary performances. For Justin Tucker, refining those last details may very well hold the key to returning to the summit of his craft. From all indications, the fix is well within grasp given his commitment to excellence and consistency over the years.
The narrative surrounding Tucker’s recent missives is a compelling reminder of the fine margins inherent in professional sports. With unanimous backing from both fans and experts, the journey back to the pinnacle for this exceptional kicker will be watched with keen interest in the weeks to come.