Justin Tucker's Struggles: What’s Happening with the Ravens' Star Kicker?
Since he first donned the Baltimore Ravens’ jersey in 2012, Justin Tucker has been the epitome of reliability at the kicker position. His leg has secured games and championships, making him not just a player but a cornerstone of the Ravens' success over the years. However, this season, the narrative around Tucker has shifted as he navigates one of the toughest seasons of his illustrious career.
The numbers, stark and unprecedented for Tucker, paint a picture of a kicker uncharacteristically out of sync. With a field goal conversion rate currently standing at 72.7%, there is genuine cause for concern. For a kicker whose career average field goal conversion rate prior to this season was 89.348%, this drop is significant, prompting questions from analysts and fans alike.
Tucker's struggles were notably evident in a recent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he managed just 1 out of 3 field goal attempts, all of which were from beyond 40 yards. Despite consistently being tested at challenging distances, Tucker’s low success rate beyond 50 yards this season—just 3 of 7—underscores the challenges he is currently facing. A broader look at his performance over the previous two seasons shows a similar trend, with a 4 of 12 conversion rate for kicks beyond 50 yards.
Despite these numbers, confidence in Tucker from within the Ravens’ camp remains unshaken. Head coach John Harbaugh has publicly backed his kicker, stating, “The best option right now is to get Justin back on point. We certainly haven't lost any confidence in Justin Tucker. He’s definitely our best option.” Harbaugh’s words echo the sentiment of many within the organization and among fans who have witnessed Tucker’s heroics over the years.
In moments of struggle, Tucker’s response has been measured. When questioned on whether there was a common denominator for his missed attempts, Tucker reflected with candor, “not really, no,” further elucidating, “Each kick is its own kick.” These statements highlight Tucker's mental approach toward his craft—a focus on the uniqueness of each kick rather than dwelling on recent disparities.
Comparison with other leading kickers this season does add a starker contrast to Tucker’s current form. Eddy Pineiro leads with a remarkable average of 89.381% in field goal conversions, closely followed by Harrison Butker at 89.212%. Both have maintained a level of consistency that has eluded Tucker this season.
Yet in a glimmer of classic Tucker resilience, he successfully managed a 54-yard field goal, showcasing flashes of the technique and precision that has made him a household name in Baltimore and beyond. This kick, achieved after he adjusted his approach, underscores his ability to adapt and persist even in difficult stretches.
The significance of Tucker’s role cannot be understated. Having replaced Dan Bailey as the top kicker in 2016 and succeeding Nate Kaeding—a kicker renowned for his accuracy in the late 2000s—Tucker has played a crucial role in elevating the Ravens' special teams unit for years. The drop to 85.3% in 2014, previously his lowest performance, seems now to be more of an anomaly than an indication of long-term decline.
As the season progresses, the expectation is that Tucker will find his footing once more. His pedigree and previous seasons’ performances suggest that these current struggles are a temporary blip in an otherwise stellar career. For the Baltimore Ravens, getting Tucker "back on point" could be the key to unlocking the team’s full potential as they aim to make a deep run into the postseason.