Justin Tucker's 2024 Season: A Bump in the Road for the NFL's Most Accurate Kicker
Justin Tucker, the Baltimore Ravens' stalwart kicker, has long been regarded as a pillar of precision on the field. With a career completion rate positioning him as the most accurate kicker in NFL history at an impressive 89.7%, Tucker has been a reliable weapon in the Ravens' arsenal and a lock for potential game-winning kicks. However, the 2024 season has introduced uncharacteristic challenges for Tucker, marking a period of introspection for both him and the team.
A Dip in Performance
As of Week 11 in the 2024 NFL season, Tucker's field goal accuracy has dipped significantly to 79%. This decline places him among the seven least successful kickers with at least ten attempts, a list Tucker is unaccustomed to finding himself on. Having missed six field goals so far this season, Tucker is perilously close to matching his career high of seven misses in a single season, set back in 2015.
The struggle was exemplified in a divisional clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Tucker missed two field goals in the opening quarter—a 42-yard and a 50-yard attempt. Not only was this a rare occurrence for Tucker, but it was unprecedented for any Ravens kicker to falter twice within the first quarter in franchise history. Prior to the game, Tucker had successfully converted 15 out of 19 field goals in the season, making the misses an unexpected setback.
Breaking Down Tucker's Performance
Tucker's 2024 statistics reveal specific strengths and weaknesses. He remains perfect in his conversions from 20 to 39 yards, maintaining a flawless 9 for 9 record, which demonstrates his enduring effectiveness at shorter distances. From the 40 to 49-yard range, Tucker has achieved 4 successful kicks out of 6 attempts, continuing to display competence from a moderate distance.
Beyond 50 yards, however, Tucker has encountered hurdles, completing just 2 of 6 attempts this season. Across the past two seasons, he holds a 3 of 11 record for kicks from over 50 yards, a significant decline from his previous standards. This drop-off raises questions about his form and confidence when facing the longest of NFL field goals.
Despite these challenges in field goal attempts, Tucker has maintained a high level of success with extra points. He has successfully converted 37 out of 38 extra point attempts in 2024, underscoring his habitual reliability in this area of special teams play.
Looking Forward
With six games remaining after their recent outing against the Steelers, there remains ample opportunity for Tucker to recalibrate and return to his usual elite standards. The Ravens are set to enter a bye week following the Steelers game, providing a timely respite for Tucker to address the technical and mental facets of his game.
The rest period may be precisely what is needed for an athlete like Tucker, who has consistently shown the ability to bounce back from downswings. With the support of the coaching staff and his own meticulous approach to his craft, expectations remain that Tucker will use this pause to regain his commanding form and bolster the Ravens' playoff aspirations.
As the regular season continues, all eyes will be on Tucker to see how he navigates this unusual stretch of his storied career. His track record suggests it would be premature to bet against him, as he has proven time and again that resilience and excellence are his hallmarks.