Ravens’ Justin Tucker Faces Criticism After Missing Two Field Goals in First Quarter, What Does it Mean?

Justin Tucker’s Struggles Continue: Two Missed Field Goals in First Quarter of Pittsburgh Loss—What’s Happening to the NFL’s Most Reliable Kicker?

Let’s face it: If you’re a Baltimore Ravens fan, you probably never imagined hearing the phrase “Justin Tucker” and “missed field goals” in the same sentence, let alone twice in one game. Tucker—the man, the myth, the kicker with ice in his veins—might be dancing a little too close to a nightmarish season for comfort. After all, this is the kicker who’s made a career of nailing seemingly impossible kicks with surgical precision. But during the Ravens’ Week 5 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tucker walked away with a couple of glaring misses in the first quarter, leaving even the most die-hard Ravens fans scratching their heads, wondering what just happened.

So, what’s really going on with the seemingly “automatic” Justin Tucker, and could these two missed attempts in a crucial division game signal something more worrisome for the Ravens? Let’s break it down.

Breaking Down the Moments: The First Quarter Misses

It was an intense AFC North battle. The bitter rivalry between the Ravens and the Steelers never disappoints in terms of drama, but this one held some extra tension—a lot of it on the Ravens’ sideline. After starting their opening drive with a spark, the Ravens found themselves in prime position to put points on the board. Cue Justin Tucker, who lined up for a 40-yard field goal just five minutes into the game. Tens of thousands in Acrisure Stadium, as well as millions of fans watching at home, held their breath. Chances are, no one actually thought Tucker would miss. After all, since his rookie season in 2012, Tucker has been one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. But then, in a twist nobody expected, the kick went wide left. Wide left? Yes, wide left.

If you didn’t check your connection or TV for glitches, you probably gasped in disbelief like everyone else. But hey, it’s football. Mistakes happen, right? Surely the ice-cold veteran wasn’t going to let it get to him. Then, just two minutes later, Tucker had a chance to prove that the previous miss was a fluke. With the Ravens again driving down the field, he lined up for a 44-yard field goal. This one had to go in, didn’t it?

Wrong. This attempt, too, shanked wide left, sending shockwaves through not just the Ravens’ bench—but the entire NFL universe. Was something wrong with Tucker? Was it the field conditions? Could it be nerves? These were questions no one would’ve ever thought they’d be asking about Justin Tucker.

What Did Tucker Have to Say About the Misses?

It’s worth noting that Tucker didn’t shy away when speaking to reporters after the game. He’s known for his openness, professionalism, and calm demeanor, so it’s no surprise that he approached this minor disaster with a level-headed response.

“It was a tough start. You know, I just gotta be better, I gotta take care of my part,” Tucker mentioned during a post-game locker room interview.

Accountability? Absolutely. But you could also sense his frustration. Tucker’s self-expectation for excellence was evident in the way he spoke. He’s a guy who’s used to converting higher-risk field goals on a regular basis, so missing two in the same quarter must feel like a bitter pill.

When you consider his incredible resume—he’s the NFL’s most accurate kicker of all time, with a career success rate north of 90%—it’s hard not to think these botched attempts might’ve just been a consequence of a bad day at the office. Though let’s be real, Tucker is rarely that “OFF.”

The Broader Picture: Is This a One-Off Fluke or Cause for Concern?

Obviously, no one wants to read too much into a single game. Every player, no matter how legendary, has an off day. But are we seeing a larger trend forming with Justin Tucker? Could this stumble be a sign of something deeper—like the start of a career decline?

For now, let’s take a step back and focus on the facts:

• Through the first 5 games of this season, Tucker has still successfully booted 8 out of 11 field goals.
• The missed attempts come from kicks that were 40 yards and beyond—territory where Tucker traditionally excels.
• The two misses against the Steelers were certainly out of character, but it’s far too soon to write the kicker off.

After the game, Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh refrained from throwing his star kicker under the bus, stating, “I have all the confidence in the world in Justin. We’ll get back to who we are, and that means he’ll get back to who he is.” It’s clear that, for now at least, the team isn’t in full-on panic mode.

How Much Do Missed Field Goals Really Hurt?

Kicking struggles aren’t exactly the end-all-be-all for a football team—that is, until they are. The Ravens’ playoff aspirations are high, and every point on the scoreboard counts, especially in tough divisional matchups like this one. In the AFC North, where razor-thin margins often separate the postseason from the offseason, those missed 6 points certainly didn’t help the Ravens’ cause.

For context, the final score was a 17-10 Steelers win, with the Ravens ultimately falling short in the second half and unable to make a comeback. Looking back now, those two missed field goals feel like even more of a gut-punch for Baltimore. Still, no one’s putting the full weight of the loss on Tucker; the Ravens as a whole had a lot of improvement to make, especially when it came to their offensive pushing power and ball security down the stretch.

Ravens’ Nightmarish Season—More Than Tucker’s Troubles?

We’ve been talking so much about Justin Tucker’s bad day at the office, we’ve almost glossed over something else: the Ravens’ larger struggles this season. Coming into Week 5, Baltimore was 3-1, with a roster that had flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball. But cracks are starting to show. And let’s be real: injuries have hit them hard. Key players like Ronnie Stanley and Odell Beckham Jr. haven’t been consistently available, which has contributed to some of the team’s recent struggles.

The Ravens have had some close games that could’ve easily gone the other way, and while Tucker’s two misses were surprising, they weren’t ultimately the sole reason the Ravens lost this game, nor the reason for any deep concerns around the team. But make no mistake—if Baltimore doesn’t pull things together quickly, including reestablishing the dominance of Tucker’s lethal kicking unit, those playoff dreams might turn into a rude awakening.

Was Tucker’s Form Just a Blip?

While the Ravens have bigger problems than their star kicker right now, it’s impossible not to wonder: is this just a one-off slip for Tucker? The universal response from inside the Ravens’ locker room seems to be a resounding yes. Teammates have his back, fans are voicing their support online, and even after the game, analysts are saying to pump the brakes on any “decline” talk.

Here’s the thing—kickers, just like any other player, are prone to having an off day. But because their roles are so specific, any time they falter, it’s painfully obvious and heavily scrutinized. Over the span of his incredible career, Justin Tucker has delivered time after time when it mattered most. He’s literally made NFL history with a 66-yard field goal in 2021.

So, before we start hitting the panic button and questioning his ability going forward, it’s worth keeping this in perspective. Even legends like Tucker can have their rough moments. The question will be how quickly he shakes it off. The Ravens— and their fans— certainly hope it’s fast, with many important games still to come in an unpredictable season.

Looking Ahead: Will Tucker Bounce Back?

Despite the rough start to their AFC North clash against the Steelers, everyone in the NFL world seems willing to bet on one thing: Justin Tucker will bounce back. What’s so tempting to believe about Tucker’s elite status is that it never lasts long when he falters. Historically, Tucker has a way of correcting mistakes and moving on from challenging games as if nothing ever happened.

Here’s what needs to happen for that belief to turn into reality:

1. Tucker needs to regain his confidence with shorter field goals in less clutch situations to rebuild that muscle memory.
2. The Ravens’ coaching staff and special teams unit must ensure protection and smoother ball placement down the line.
3. Justin Tucker will need to filter out the external noise about his recent slump and focus on what he does best: being the most reliable kicker in the league.

Bottom line: while this game might trigger some doubt, expect Justin Tucker to be back in the spotlight for all the right reasons soon. Players of his caliber just don’t stay down for long.

What Does This Mean for the Ravens and Their Future Games?

The AFC North continues to be one of the most hotly contested divisions in football, and each divisional game is crucial. Baltimore stands 3-2 after the loss to Pittsburgh, and while they’re hardly in panic mode just yet, every single game matters as we edge deeper into the season.

What’s more, Tucker’s form may have wavered in this game, but his leadership and positive influence in the Ravens locker room remain undiminished. What happens next? Well, it’s what we love about the NFL—there’s always a chance for redemption just around the corner. Expect Tucker to rise again, and soon.