Justin Tucker has become automatic. He has the highest field-goal percentage all time at 91 percent, making him the only kicker above 89 percent in NFL history.
But he was off on Saturday against the Browns.
He made a 53-yard field-goal kick in the second quarter to tie the game 3-3, but his next attempt, at the end of the quarter, missed wide left from 48 yards. It was his first miss from inside 50 yards this season. In the fourth quarter, his try from 50 yards out was blocked by Jordan Elliott.
The two misses left six points on the table in Baltimore's 13-3 loss at Cleveland.
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It was an uncharacteristic performance in what has been an uncharacteristic season for the future Hall of Fame kicker. He has missed five field-goal, tying for second-most misses in a season (he missed five in 2014). And there's still three games left in the 2022 season.
After the game, Tucker told reporters that he told several teammates he felt responsible for the loss as he tried to set an example for the team.
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"I just made it a point to let a number of my teammates know that I felt like this one was on me," Tucker said. "As someone who feels like I’m a leader in this locker room, that’s the example that needs to be set. Anytime, any one of us feels like we fall short, we do acknowledge it, we need to be accountable so that we can learn from our mistakes and move on and do everything we can in our power to be 1-0 next week when Atlanta comes to Baltimore.”
Justin Tucker after missing two FGs (48 and 50 yards) in a loss at Cleveland: “I made it a point to let a number of my teammates know that I felt like this one was on me. As someone who feels like I’m a leader in this locker room, that’s the example that needs to be set.” pic.twitter.com/HlW8Y5YUhT
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 18, 2022
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey told Ravens reporter Sarah Ellison the team assured the kicker that "there's never a time that Justin Tucker loses us a game."
Marlon Humphrey on Justin Tucker: "He just tried to say in the locker room that this game is on him. And everyone in the locker was like, 'Don't ever say that again.' He's won us too many games. He's the best for a reason. There's never a time that Justin Tucker loses us a game."
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) December 18, 2022
Tucker wasn't alone in his kicking struggles Saturday. Evidently, the light snow and 33-degree weather also impacted Browns kicker Cade York, who missed from 38 and 46 yards.
Historically, it is more challenging to make kicks in the cold. According to data from Stathead, kickers in 33-degree weather or colder have made 69 percent of their field-goal attempts (2,277 for 3,296), while kickers in temperatures 34 degrees or warmer have made 72.2 percent of their attempts (29,078 for 40,277).
Here's how Tucker's performance stacks up in his career.
Justin Tucker's missed field-goal kicks
Single game
Tucker missed field-goal two kicks Saturday. Including playoff games, he has had just six games in his career with two misses, according to Stathead. He has never missed more than that in a game.
The last time he missed two field-goal attempts was on Jan. 16, 2021, in the divisional round of the playoffs. He missed from 41 and 46 yards in a 17-3 Baltimore defeat to Buffalo. The temperature that day in Orchard Park. N.Y.? Thirty-four degrees, per Pro Football Reference.
| Date | Opponent | FGM-FGA |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 15, 2013 | Browns | 0-2 |
| Dec. 14, 2014 | Jaguars | 2-4 |
| Nov. 22, 2015 | Rams | 3-5 |
| Dec. 22, 2018 | Chargers | 3-5 |
| Jan. 16, 2021 | Bills | 1-3 |
| Dec. 17, 2022 | Browns | 1-3 |
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Single season
Tucker is 29 for 34 on field-goal tries for the 2022 season. His 85.3 field-goal percentage is tied for second-lowest of his career.
The 2015 season remains the worst season of Tucker's career for field-goal success rate. He made just 33 of 40 attempts, an 82.5 percent success rate. Those were both career worsts.
The only other time he has missed at least five field-goal kicks in a season was in 2014, when he went 29 for 34 for an 85.3 field-goal percentage.
