For 16 years, Justin Tucker was one of the biggest weapons in the NFL, as he was the best kicker in the league since his rookie season in 2012. However, the 35-year-old started to decline this year, as Baltimore enters the postseason with more uncertainty in its kicking game.
The kicking game could be a big deal when the Ravens host the Steelers Saturday night, since Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell has been arguably the best kicker in the league this season. The Pro Bowl kicker in the AFC this year, Boswell’s field goal percentage has been 20 percent better than Tucker’s over the course of the season.
The Sporting News examines Tucker’s kicking struggles this year.
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Justin Tucker stats
| FGA | FG% | XPA | XP% | |
| Career | 468 | 89.1% | 532 | 98.5% |
| 2024 | 30 | 73.3% | 62 | 96.8% |
Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history, as he is the only kicker to hit at least 89 percent of his field goal attempts in his career. However, this year, Tucker hasn’t lived up expectations, as he ranks 32nd of 39 kickers in field-goal percentage. In fact, Tucker is the least accurate kicker among all 14 kickers in the 2024 playoffs.
Tucker got off to a rocky start this season, as he missed a kick in each of his first three games. However, starting in October, the veteran did have seven games in which he attempted at least one field and didn’t register a miss.
Notably, all of Tucker’s field goal misses are from beyond 40 yards, and five of his eight misses this season are from at least 50 yards out. On the shorter kicks, Tucker still appears to be a reliable weapon for Baltimore.
Justin Tucker missed field goals
Tucker’s season began on a sour note, as he missed his first attempt of the season against the Chiefs.
Then, in the Ravens’ first matchup with the Steelers in November, Tucker made just one field goal on three attempts as Pittsburgh won the game by two points.
Tucker’s worst game of the season came in December against the Eagles, when he missed two field goal attempts and an extra point try. During that game, it became clear that Tucker’s struggles were noteworthy for the stretch run.
Since the Eagles game, Tucker has attempted three field goals and 18 extra points over a four-game stretch, making all 21 kicks. Baltimore hopes that strong finish will carry over into the postseason.
