Justin Tucker’s Struggles Continue: What Happened During the Steelers Matchup?
If you’ve watched the Baltimore Ravens over the years, then you know Justin Tucker is not your average kicker. In fact, he’s pretty much the gold standard, the kind of player you expect to hit field goals like they’re layups. Tucker has built quite the reputation as one of the most reliable and accurate kickers in NFL history. Whether it’s a 30-yard chip shot or a game-winning 60-yard boot, fans expect Justin Tucker to nail it.
But this season, things haven’t been going as smoothly for Tucker. It’s almost like a storyline from a bizarre alternate universe. The Ravens’ kicker has had a series of surprising misses, and during the Ravens’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday, the go-to guy for field goals continued to falter. In what can only be described as a ‘nightmare start,’ Tucker missed not just one, but two field goals within the first quarter. Ouch.
It’s worth breaking down what really happened during this rollercoaster night for Tucker, as the football world watched in disbelief.
The Unthinkable: Back-to-Back Misses
It’s not an exaggeration to say that NFL kickers live and die by their accuracy. Justin Tucker’s accuracy has been his superpower, ranking among the top players in the league in terms of field goal percentage. But sometimes, even Superman feels a little bit of kryptonite. On this particular evening, Tucker was battling his own demons.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter, Tucker had the opportunity to put the Ravens ahead with a 48-yard field-goal attempt. Keep in mind, a 48-yarder is usually well within his wheelhouse. But then, something shocking happened: he missed. The attempt sailed wide left and left everyone scratching their heads. It wasn’t even like it was a windy day in Pittsburgh or any other notable adverse conditions that could’ve affected the kick.
And just when fans thought they had seen the last of the surprises for the day, Tucker lined up for another field goal attempt. This time it was a 44-yard shot, again an attempt that Tucker probably makes 9 times out of 10 in his sleep. But the football must have had something against Tucker that night: He missed once again — this one sailing wide right. Double whammy.
In Tucker We Trust…But Do We Still?
The Ravens undoubtedly rely heavily on Tucker. Over the years, Tucker has saved his team more than once by delivering in clutch moments. He’s often the final piece of the puzzle who turns a close game into a gut-wrenching win. So, when you see him miss, not just once but twice, questions start buzzing everywhere. What’s up with Tucker?
This season, Tucker’s unusual inconsistencies have made him a topic of discussion, more so for negative reasons, which feels bizarre to even type. It’s not like he’s missed a million kicks in a row, but for someone like Tucker, even a handful of misses is enough to sound the alarm. Let’s state the obvious here: football is a tough game. One little shift in form or even mindset can make a huge difference in performance.
It could be easy for fans to overreact after Tucker misses a couple field goals. After all, we’re not used to seeing this from him. And that’s why these misses have captured the attention of every Ravens fan. It’s like watching LeBron James miss an easy layup or Serena Williams double-fault several times in a row — unexpected and hard to process.
Tucker’s Nightmare Season: By the Numbers
To put things in perspective, let’s dig a little deeper into the ongoing Justin Tucker situation by focusing on the numbers. According to official records, Tucker finished 2022 with a field-goal accuracy of 86.7%, his lowest since way back in 2015. Now, 86.7% may not sound too bad on the surface, but for someone who regularly hovers around the 90% mark, this was noteworthy.
This season, Tucker is currently hitting under his usual standards, and that’s creating serious concern. These two misses against the Steelers are just the tip of the iceberg.
- So far this year, Tucker has converted 11 field goals out of 14 attempts.
- He’s missed from the 40-49 yard range twice already, which is unusual for him.
- His longest successful field goal this year is from 50 yards, another shock as he’s often drilled kicks farther than that with ease.
It’s not that we’re seeing a complete collapse, but we’re definitely seeing a slide in performance. Could it be that Tucker is simply having an off year, or is there something more going on here?
What Could Be Going Wrong?
Now, before anyone panics too much, let’s remember that all players are human, and we need to explore what exactly is happening to Tucker. Several factors could be contributing to his current struggles:
- Pressure: Tucker has long been considered the best at what he does — and with that, comes some serious pressure. Could the mounting expectations be affecting him? Maybe.
- Inconsistent Snap-Hold Combination: The kicking operation relies on the seamless execution of the snap, hold, and kick trio. If one component is off, it can throw everything into disarray.
- Minor Injuries or Fatigue: Even the slightest injuries, or just muscle fatigue, can easily mess with a kicker’s accuracy. We’re not saying Tucker is hurt, but small nagging issues could be in play.
While none of these factors are definitively to blame, kicking is an extremely precise art. Something may be just slightly off, affecting Tucker’s usually pinpoint accuracy.
What Next for Tucker and the Ravens?
At the end of the day, even the best players can go through tough patches, and it seems like Tucker’s going through one right now. Honestly, it’s hard to see his struggles continuing for too long. He has way too much experience and talent to stay stuck in this rut. If anyone can bounce back, it’s Justin Tucker.
We’ve seen kickers go through slumps before, only to rise and meet the challenges head-on, proving the doubters wrong. And we’re talking about Justin Tucker, one of the most mentally tough kickers in the game. While every kick he misses is undoubtedly a media spectacle, it’s important to recognize that he has seen highs and lows before — and he’s always found a way back.
As for the Ravens, they’ll need to make sure they don’t lose confidence in their kicker. Tucker has been Mr. Reliable for so long, and a few misses shouldn’t suddenly erase all the years of brilliance. The team is still flying high, and a lot of season remains — Tucker has plenty of time to turn things around and get back to his old self.
Looking ahead, the Ravens will likely stick with their star kicker through thick and thin — as they should. Confidence plays such a huge role in a kicker’s performance, and the last thing the Ravens need is to start doubting a living legend. If they continue to trust him, Tucker is likely to reward that trust with some clutch performances as the season progresses.
Final Thoughts: Does the King Still Wear the Crown?
The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. And while Tucker may be struggling more than we’re used to seeing, it’s important not to blow things out of proportion just yet. Yes, the back-to-back misses in the Steelers game were shocking, perhaps even alarming. But there’s every reason to believe he can straighten things out before too long.
Justin Tucker didn’t become the most accurate kicker in NFL history by luck. He’s honed his craft to the point where missing field goals is the exception, not the rule. The real question is: Is Tucker in a slump, or is this the start of a new normal? Only time will tell.
For now, let’s keep watching to see whether Tucker rises to the occasion and reclaims his throne as the king of clutch. With plenty of games left in the season, don’t be surprised if No. 9 is once again making jaw-dropping kicks from unfathomable distances. Until then, let’s all just agree that even the greats are allowed a bad night.
Originally Written by: Tyler Sullivan
