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The Ravens are successful year-in and year-out partly because they tend to be one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the NFL. Sure, having a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback helps. For the last decade, though, defense and kicking have been constants in Baltimore.
That's not quite the case this year. The defense has started to slip for the Ravens this season after losing three key defensive coaches from John Harbaugh's staff, but the kicking woes have been even more jarring. Justin Tucker suddenly looks nothing like the Justin Tucker of old, and two missed field goals against the Steelers halted Baltimore's momentum in the first half in Week 11.
Father Time might just be winning again, but is it possible Travis Kelce actually has something to do with Tucker's struggles?
Here's a look at Tucker's stats from 2024 and why some fans believe an interaction with Kelce might have thrown him off his game.
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Justin Tucker missed field goals
Tucker is 15-of-21 (71.4 percent) on field goal attempts this season after his two misses on Sunday, which came from 47 and 50 yards out, respectively.
Ian Eagle's *first* announcer's jinx on Ravens kick Justin Tucker pic.twitter.com/MXT8qNRDqs
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 17, 2024A 71-percent field goal rate would be concerning for any kicker, but it's downright stunning for Tucker. The soon-to-be 35-year-old entered 2024 as the NFL's all-time leader in field goal percentage at 90.2 percent, but that mark is now down to 89.3 percent amid the uncharacteristic year.
One more missed field goal would tie Tucker's career-worst mark, set in 2015, and there are signs these issues aren't just a fluke. The veteran started to show some cracks in the foundation last season when he made only 1-of-5 attempts from at least 50 yards out, down from a 15-for-20 rate between 2021 and 2022.
Tucker is 2-of-6 from at least 50 yards after Sunday's miss from 50, and he's already done something he didn't do in 2023 by missing two field goals from between 40-49 yards out.
Tucker is in his mid-30s, but kickers tend to have longer careers than most other position groups. Did something else throw him off his game? Fans have a theory.
MORE: How the Steelers contain Lamar Jackson so well
Justin Tucker-Travis Kelce controversy
Many have asked how the Chiefs keep winning close games. Is there some kind of voodoo magic working in the favor? Well, if there is, it's gotten the best of Tucker. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce made headlines before last season's AFC championship when he tossed Tucker's helmet, footballs, and kicking tee away during warmups to make room for himself and his teammates.
Travis Kelce told Justin Tucker he needed to move because their QB Patrick Mahomes had to warm up. So Kelce kicked his ball away and threw his helmet. 😂 pic.twitter.com/pFF0DC1yA7
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024Tucker smiled rather than engage with Kelce, but nothing has been the same ever since.
Justin Tucker being broken by Travis Kelce throwing his stupid kicking tee is one of my favorite NFL stories ever.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) November 17, 2024Tucker did make his only field goal attempt in an otherwise disappointing AFC championship game for the Ravens, so that might pour some cold water on the idea he was shaken up by Kelce. Since that point, though, his struggles are undeniable. A kicker largely seen as invincible for more than a decade now looks like a liability from long range, and whether age is the only explanation remains to be seen.
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