Tucker’s underwhelming season persisted during the Ravens’ 24-19 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13. On Sunday, Tucker missed three kicks, increasing his misses to a personal record of eight for the season.
The seven-time Pro Bowl kicker failed an extra point and two field goals in the third quarter of the match. NFL enthusiasts suggest Tucker has been off his game since his encounter with Kelce prior to the Kansas City Chiefs-Ravens 2023-24 AFC Championship clash.
During his pregame warm-up and kicking routine, Tucker was also occupying Kansas City’s designated preparation area. When neither moved, Kelce tossed aside Tucker’s gear to make space for quarterback Patrick Mahomes to prepare for the playoff showdown.
Tucker did manage to make his single field goal attempt and extra point in the eventual 17-10 defeat, yet the 35-year-old has experienced his most challenging season in his 13 years in the league. “The Chiefs’ devil magic is real because Justin Tucker hasn’t been the same since [the Kelce incident],” someone remarked. “My man needed to get baptized after that moment,” another observed.
The first missed kick occurred on a first-quarter extra point with the Ravens leading 9-0. The kick bounced off the field goal post. The Eagles then responded with 14 consecutive points. In the third quarter, Tucker missed a 47-yard field goal attempt followed by a 53-yard try on the subsequent drive.
The last attempt veered wide right as the Ravens trailed 19-14 with 1:31 remaining in the third quarter. Tucker will have time to reset both mentally and physically as the Ravens enter their bye week. Harbaugh informed reporters post-game that the team would receive the majority of the week off.