The Baltimore Ravens’ Kicking Dilemma

The Baltimore Ravens are facing an unexpected issue this season: a struggle in their kicking game. Justin Tucker, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s all-time best kickers, has been uncharacteristically inconsistent, raising concerns for the team.

In Sunday’s narrow loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Tucker went 2-for-4 on field goal attempts and missed an extra point. The five-point defeat underscored the impact of Tucker’s missed opportunities, which left seven points off the board.

This season, Tucker’s stats have been below his usual elite standard. He’s converted just 19 of 27 field goal attempts and 42 of 44 extra points. For a player of his caliber, these numbers fall short of expectations.

Bleacher Report has suggested that the Ravens consider bringing in competition to address the issue. “The Ravens have a Justin Tucker problem,” they noted. “It’s shocking to see Tucker, the league’s best kicker for years, struggle like this. While releasing him shouldn’t be an option, as this may just be a slump, the team can’t afford to lose games due to missed field goals. Adding a free-agent kicker to compete with Tucker could be the solution.”

Adding another kicker to challenge Tucker could prove beneficial, even if only to give him a game off to regain his form before the playoffs. However, the idea of releasing Tucker remains impractical. At his best, his leg is unmatched in the NFL, and his clutch performances have secured many victories for the Ravens.

At 35, Tucker appears to be navigating a rough patch in his career. Still, he may only be a kick or two away from regaining his rhythm and confidence. With a bye week to recalibrate, Tucker has an opportunity to address his struggles. The Ravens will hope he bounces back when they face the New York Giants on the road.