In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where games often hinge on the leg of a kicker, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves grappling with an unfamiliar dilemma. Justin Tucker, widely regarded as the most accurate kicker in league history, is mired in one of the worst slumps of his illustrious career. Yet, despite his recent misses, the Ravens organization remains steadfast in their support of the embattled star.
Unwavering Confidence in Tucker
Head coach John Harbaugh made it clear on Monday that the team has no plans to bring in competition for Tucker’s job. “The best option right now is to get Justin back on point because he is fully capable of doing it,” Harbaugh stated emphatically. “We certainly haven’t lost any confidence in Justin Tucker.”
This vote of confidence comes on the heels of Tucker’s two costly misses in Sunday’s 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The normally automatic kicker failed to convert attempts from 47 and 50 yards before finally connecting from 54 yards out. The misses dropped Tucker’s season conversion rate to a career-low 72.7% through 11 games.
A Kicker’s Worst Nightmare
For Tucker, who has set the gold standard for NFL kickers since entering the league in 2012, this season has been a stark departure from the norm. His six misses already exceed his total from all of last season and put him on pace to tie the worst single-season mark of his career.
“He’s going to get it figured out,” Harbaugh said. “We have coaches, we have technique. We look at the tape and he’s practicing well. He’s got to kick it straight.”
– John Harbaugh on Justin Tucker’s struggles
The Ravens’ four losses this season have been decided by a combined 10 points, magnifying the impact of each of Tucker’s five misses in those games. In Week 2, his missed 56-yarder proved pivotal in a three-point loss to the Raiders. On Sunday, his two misses against the Steelers left the Ravens two points short of forcing overtime.
Battling Father Time?
At age 35, some have begun to question whether Tucker’s struggles are a sign of decline. However, the Ravens dismiss such notions, pointing out that none of his misses this season have come up short, indicating that leg strength is not the issue.
Instead, the focus has turned to the transition at holder, where rookie punter Jordan Stout has taken over for the retired Sam Koch. With Koch as his holder from 2012-2022, Tucker converted an astounding 90.5% of his attempts. In two seasons with Stout, that mark has dipped to 81.4%.
“They work together,” Harbaugh said of Tucker and Stout. “I think when things go well, Justin credits those guys really well. I think they all take responsibility for every good thing and for everything that doesn’t go well.”
– John Harbaugh on the kicker-holder relationship
A Legend’s Legacy on the Line
Despite his current struggles, Tucker’s body of work speaks for itself. He still holds the NFL record for the longest field goal at 66 yards and has been virtually automatic in clutch situations, going 28-of-31 in the final two minutes of regulation and a perfect 6-for-6 in overtime.
As the Ravens cling to playoff hopes in a crowded AFC, they will need Tucker to rediscover his signature accuracy. With unwavering support from his coaches and teammates, the stage is set for one of the game’s greatest kickers to write the next chapter in his storied career. For Tucker and the Ravens, the only question that remains is whether he can conquer the mental hurdles and mechanical inconsistencies that have plagued him this season. If he can, Baltimore may yet have a chance to chase championship dreams. If not, the weight of a city’s expectations may prove too heavy a burden to bear, even for a legend like Justin Tucker.
