Justin Tucker’s popularity because the NFL’s most dependable kicker is going through an surprising problem this season.
The Baltimore Ravens’ star, who has set the gold normal for kicking over the previous decade, is experiencing an uncharacteristic droop that has raised eyebrows throughout the league.
Within the first two video games in opposition to the Chiefs and Raiders, Tucker missed two 50-yard area targets.
The pattern continued in Week 3 when he did not convert from 46 yards out.
This string of misses is a stark departure from Tucker’s normal precision, prompting NFL Insider Dov Kleiman to level out that Tucker now leads the league in missed area targets this season.
Most Area Objective misses this season:
Justin Tucker – 3
Washed? pic.twitter.com/IOmXYKU80D
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 22, 2024
Tucker has now missed six of his final seven makes an attempt from 50-plus yards, a major drop from his spectacular 83% success fee (30-of-36) on such kicks between 2016 and 2021.
His long-range accuracy, as soon as an indicator of his sport, appears to have faltered.
Nevertheless, Tucker stays virtually excellent on area targets inside 50 yards this season and hasn’t missed an additional level.
His general consistency remains to be evident, particularly when in comparison with friends like Brandon Aubrey, who missed extra further factors final 12 months than Tucker has up to now 4 seasons mixed.
Due to this fact, Tucker’s worth to the Ravens extends past mere statistics regardless of his present rating at No. 4 amongst kickers for 2024.
He’s identified for making clutch kicks below strain and offering invaluable management.
Most NFL coaches would nonetheless select Tucker for a game-winning kick in high-stakes conditions.
