Justin Tucker, renowned as one of the most consistent kickers in NFL history, is experiencing a challenging phase. Once celebrated for his near-flawless accuracy, Tucker’s performance this season reveals an unexpected rough patch, prompting analysis and concern among both fans and experts.
Performance Beyond the Ordinary
For a decade, Tucker has been a staple of reliability in the NFL, anchoring special teams with a career average conversion rate of 90.5% before the 2023 season. Yet, in a recent game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tucker uncharacteristically missed three field goals and an extra point, drawing attention to an emerging trend of inconsistency.
Despite these hiccups, Tucker demonstrated remarkable proficiency earlier in the 2023 season. He successfully converted an impressive 51 of 52 extra point attempts, maintaining precision in high-pressure scenarios. His consistency on shorter field goals was similarly notable, with a perfect 20 of 20 success rate inside 40 yards.
The Long-Range Struggle
However, Tucker’s difficulties have become apparent on longer attempts. Although he managed 11 of 12 on field goals from 40 to 49 yards, his proficiency waned significantly on kicks of 50 yards or more, achieving just 1 out of 5. Since Week 8, the narrative has shifted further, as Tucker has managed only 7 of 12 field goals, with critical misses from 50, 47, 50, 47, and 53 yards.
This string of challenges raised eyebrows, stirring conversations around the league. Bill Belichick, the seasoned coach known for his astute football acumen, provided an analysis of Tucker's situation. “Obviously there's something that's a little bit off from a technique standpoint,” Belichick noted, emphasizing that the issue doesn’t appear linked to talent. “I think there's something mechanically that he's not doing consistently. If you have the key to unlock that problem, then probably everything could be great.”
A Test of Mental and Technical Fortitude
It’s clear that Tucker’s struggles extend from last season into the current one, marked by observable accuracy issues. Belichick recognized this continuity, stating, “Clearly this extends back even to last year a little bit, too, because there were some accuracy issues last year in the '23 season as well as the current season.” Yet, he remained confident in Tucker’s potential for recovery, asserting the kicker’s monumental place in football history. Belichick added, “I would stick with Justin Tucker. This guy was the most accurate kicker in the history of football. He gets great height on the ball. He's been super consistent. He's obviously having a little bit of a rough patch right here, but it doesn't look to me like his talent level has declined. There's something mechanically that just isn't quite right all the time.”
Addressing the Mechanics
The path forward for Tucker involves intense focus on technique and mechanical consistency. His team, led by Coach John Harbaugh, remains steadfast in its support. The overarching belief is that with dedicated effort, Tucker can correct the underlying mechanical issues, reinstating his position as a dependable asset. His history supports this optimism; post-Week 13 last season, for instance, he achieved perfection, making all 21 extra points and all 15 field goals, signifying the slump may be a temporary aberration.
As debates and analyses continue to surround Tucker’s current performance, his legacy remains untarnished. This phase, while challenging, positions him for a potential comeback that could further cement his status as one of the game's all-time great kickers. His resilience and commitment will undoubtedly be critical in surmounting the technical adversities he currently faces.