Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has been a pillar of consistency and excellence for years, widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the position.
However, through the first three games of the 2024 season, Tucker has looked uncharacteristically shaky, raising concerns for a Ravens team that entered the year with Super Bowl aspirations.
Tucker, now 34, has converted just five of his eight field goal attempts so far, a striking departure from his usual precision. This dip in performance has contributed to Baltimore’s sluggish 1-2 start, with each of their games decided by a touchdown or less.
In such tight contests, the importance of special teams—and particularly Tucker’s once-automatic leg—becomes magnified.
According to Jamison Hensley, Tucker has been working on his technique in recent weeks, trying to regain the form that has made him a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s most reliable players.
“It’s definitely fair to say that more recently I’ve been working through just a technique thing. For the most part, we’ve been striking the ball really, really well. And then I have let three kicks get away from me early this season.”
Across his 12 prior seasons, Tucker has missed fewer than 15 percent of his field goal attempts in all but one year. His current struggles, then, are especially concerning for a team that has prided itself on excelling in all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams.
The Ravens entered the 2024 season with high hopes, looking to bounce back from last year’s disappointment when they held the league’s best record before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. The offseason acquisition of star running back Derrick Henry was meant to solidify an already potent offense, and Henry has delivered solid performances through three games.
Yet, issues beyond Tucker’s kicking have plagued the team, especially on defense, where a lack of consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks has left the Ravens vulnerable.
Now, with the Buffalo Bills looming this Sunday, the Ravens have a golden opportunity to right the ship. The Bills come in with a perfect 3-0 record, and a victory against them would not only even Baltimore’s record at 2-2 but also serve as a statement win against one of the league’s elite teams.
For Tucker, the upcoming game could be a chance to silence the critics and return to his dependable form. For the Ravens, a win could mean more than just another tally in the win column—it could reignite their path toward fulfilling their lofty Super Bowl ambitions.
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