Justin Tucker: Navigating Challenging Terrains in the Field Goal Arena
Recognized as the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Justin Tucker's track record speaks for itself with an impressive career field goal percentage of 89.7%. However, even the most vaunted athletes experience occasional setbacks. This season has introduced a turbulent wave in Tucker's otherwise consistent performance, bringing both challenges and revelations.
Tucker, now 34, has witnessed a dip in his field goal accuracy, dropping to 79% this season. This places him with the seventh-worst field goal percentage among NFL kickers with a minimum of ten attempts—a surprising statistic for a player of his caliber. The Baltimore Ravens' recent 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers highlighted some of these struggles. In a rare anomaly, Tucker missed two lengthy field goal attempts in the opening quarter, marking the first instance this has occurred for a Ravens kicker.
After his misses against the Steelers, Tucker has successfully converted 15 of 19 field goal attempts leading up to the game. His precision within certain ranges remains untarnished, with flawless performances from 20 to 39 yards. Specifically, he is 3 of 3 from 20-29 yards and 6 of 6 from 30-39 yards. Yet, his accuracy diminishes beyond that range, with a 4 of 6 record from 40 to 49 yards and more noticeably, a 3 of 7 from 50 to 59 yards this season.
The season has proved particularly challenging for attempts exceeding 50 yards—a distance that has been a formidable measure of his skills. Over the last two seasons, Tucker's success rate for 50-plus-yard attempts stands at 4 of 12.
Following the game, when asked about a potential shared factor behind his missed kicks, Tucker dryly replied, "Not really, no," adding, "Each kick is its own kick." This succinct response underscores the complex and often unpredictable nature of kicking in the NFL, where each attempt is influenced by myriad variables including weather conditions, field placement, and personal adjustments.
Despite the early setbacks in the game against the Steelers, Tucker showed resilience. He made a crucial adjustment before his third attempt, successfully converting a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter—a testament to his ability to adapt under pressure. His lone extra-point attempt in the game was executed flawlessly, part of an impressive streak that has seen him make 38 out of 39 extra-point attempts this season.
With the Ravens having six games left in their 2024 schedule, the clock is ticking for Tucker to adjust and improve. He stands one miss away from equaling his personal record of seven missed field goals in a single season, a tally last recorded in 2015.
The journey of a professional athlete like Tucker reflects the ebbs and flows prevalent in competitive sports. Even for high performers, the sport insists on humility and constant recalibration. Tucker's career thus far has exemplified resilience and excellence, with this season presenting a unique set of opportunities for growth and adaptation.