Justin Tucker’s Struggles Persist, But Ravens Remain Confident in Their Star Kicker

The Baltimore Ravens continue to stand by their veteran kicker Justin Tucker, even after what has been the most challenging game of his illustrious career. Despite his recent struggles, Tucker remains a cornerstone of the team, with both the coaching staff and players expressing unwavering confidence in his abilities.

During the Ravens’ 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Tucker missed two critical field goals and an extra point, marking the first time in his 13-year NFL career that he failed three times in a single game. These missed opportunities proved costly, as they became the defining difference in the game.

Tucker’s Recent Struggles Raise Concerns

For years, Justin Tucker has been regarded as one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history. Entering the 2024 season, Tucker held the league’s highest career field goal conversion rate at 90.2%, making 395 of 438 attempts. However, this season has seen the once-flawless kicker falter in uncharacteristic ways.

On Sunday, Tucker missed a 47-yard attempt and later pushed a 53-yard kick wide right, both in the third quarter. While a high snap may have contributed to one of the misses, Tucker took full responsibility.

“I feel like I let us down today,” Tucker admitted. “But dwelling on it won’t help anyone. The only thing I can do is get back to work and focus on moving forward. This job comes with high expectations, and I didn’t meet them today.”

Despite his challenges, Tucker also managed to convert two field goals during the game, including a 50-yarder just before halftime. Still, the eight missed field goals this season are the most in any year of his career.

Team Support for Tucker Remains Strong

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed unwavering confidence in Tucker, dismissing any speculation about his future with the team.

“If you ask me if we’re moving on from Justin Tucker, the answer is absolutely not,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t think that would be a wise decision.”

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson echoed these sentiments, calling Tucker the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time). “Whatever’s going on, we’ll block it out and get back to who he really is,” Jackson said, emphasizing the team’s trust in their kicker.

A History of Resilience

At 35 years old, Tucker remains the last active member of the Ravens’ 2012 Super Bowl-winning roster. Known for his consistency and ability to perform under pressure, he famously set an NFL record with a 66-yard field goal in 2021. However, this season has seen him fall to 33rd in the league with a field goal conversion rate of just 70.4%.

This isn’t the first slump of Tucker’s career. In 2015, he missed seven field goals but bounced back the following year with a near-perfect 97.4% success rate, making 38 of 39 attempts. Tucker plans to use the Ravens’ upcoming bye week to address his current struggles.

“We’ll leave no stone unturned,” Tucker said. “I’ll work through any technical issues or specific challenges to ensure I’m ready to help my team win games moving forward.”

Looking Ahead

Despite Tucker’s uncharacteristic performance, the Ravens remain optimistic. His proven track record, combined with the team’s trust in his abilities, suggests he can return to form. For now, Baltimore remains focused on their broader goals, and Tucker’s determination to improve could play a critical role in their pursuit of success.

While Tucker’s struggles are a surprising subplot to the Ravens’ season, his resilience and commitment to excellence leave little doubt that he can overcome this rough patch.