Justin Tucker is enduring by far the worst season of his career.
The superstar Baltimore Ravens kicker was once considered a cheat code as he was so far ahead of anybody else in his position.
But Tucker’s right leg is no longer automatic – and it is costing the Ravens.
He missed from 47 and 53 in the third quarter of a 24-19 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, as well as fluffing an extra point.
It brought his field goal percentage down to 70.4% for the season – his career-low for a full campaign is 82.5% in 2015.
“I left points out there,” the gutted kicker admitted after the loss.
“I feel like I cost us this one but it doesn’t really do anybody any good to dwell on it, the only thing I can do is continue to work, move forward, take one kick at a time.
“I hate that I’ve had to have this same conversation over the course of this season but that’s something that comes with the territory, this job description, the kicks are either good or they’re not and today I did not do a good enough job to help our team win a football game.”
Tucker was also left kicking himself after missing from 47 and 50 yards in an 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in November.
But he retains the support of his team.
“I believe he’s still the GOAT. Hell yeah, I have confidence (in him),” insisted quarterback Lamar Jackson, who added that the offense should not be stalling and bringing Tucker onto the field.
“Definitely capable of making every kick,” said head coach John Harbaugh. “Nobody wants to make those kicks more than Justin.
“If you’re asking me are we going to move on from Justin Tucker, I’m not really planning on doing that right now.”
Baltimore fans are not as patient as the men on the field.
“You cost us three this year. It’s time to hang them up bud. It’s been a great ride. Time to move on,” posted one on X.
“Awwh you’ve cost us four games to be exact. And let’s be honest, you’ve missed 17 kicks in the last two years,” added another.
“The goat will return to greatness after the bye,” commented a more positive supporter, who was very much in the minority.
While Tucker’s struggles have made headlines this season, there were signs two years ago that the slide had begun.
Aside from a two-season slump from 2014-15, Tucker’s field goal percentage never dropped below 89.7% before 2022.
The 35-year-old then saw the figure drop to 86% and 86.5% in the next two seasons.
His form from under 40 yards remained faultless but he was 9-14 from over 50 in 2022 and 1-5 from that range in 2023.
That drop is partly down to the fact Tucker is often sent out from distances other kickers would not attempt.
But going 5-8 from 40-49 yards – as the Ravens star has done this season – would have been unthinkable a year ago and suggests that the time to move on may be now.
Tucker has 13 days to get himself right before what should be a routine win over the ailing New York Giants on December 15.
Then it’s a high-pressure Steelers rematch – a game which looks set to decide the AFC North champion.
In his 13th season, Tucker will hope his luck changes soon. Life comes at you fast in the NFL and Father Time is undefeated.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, join us from 6pm on talkSPORT2 this Sunday for coverage of the Arizona Cardinals visit to the Minnesota Vikings
Check out the latest episode of ‘Run Down’ – our weekly review show on talkSPORT’s dedicated NFL channel
