Social media is teeing off on Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker for offering a sad excuse over his struggles in Sunday’s 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The usually-reliable Justin Tucker missed a pair of field goals in the Ravens’ heartbreaking loss. In contrast, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell went a perfect 6-for-6 on FG attempts in Pittsburgh’s victory at Acrisure Stadium.
Per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tucker told reporters post-game that the Acrisure Stadium “surface wasn’t an issue, but it wasn’t ideal.” A day earlier, the Pittsburgh Panthers hosted the Clemson Tigers at Acrisure Stadium.
The 34-year-old added that the field surface is something they always prepare for and practice on before games.
For his part, Justin Tucker said the field surface at Acrisure wasn’t an issue on his misses “but it wasn’t ideal” a day after Pitt-Clemson in the same stadium. pic.twitter.com/iDOZj8BdyJ
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) November 17, 2024
Needless to say, social media wasted no time ripping on Justin Tucker for trying to use the stadium playing surface as an excuse for his performance:
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Heard he was doing just fine during warm ups on Steelers side of the field kicking between our guys.. Also Bos had no issues at all. Bro just fell off under the pressure
— Inclined to Decline (8-9) 🙃 (@InclinedAllen) November 18, 2024
This totally checks out
— FIRE SULLIVAN NOW (@notpghguyinva) November 18, 2024
🤡🤡🤡 pic.twitter.com/NAafWbsXjx
Boswell didn't have an issue… pic.twitter.com/F9tem4t279
— PIT Steeler Football (@PITSteelerFB) November 18, 2024
Boswell hit his, case closed
— Brad Keitsock (@bkeitsock) November 17, 2024
When the other kicker, Boz goes 6 for 6 and two are 50 yds you might want to sit this one out
— Ice Cold (@BrianNa94270461) November 18, 2024
— Chester (@chestermurphy21) November 18, 2024
As the fans pointed out, it’s not a good excuse when the opposing kicker made all his field goal attempts. It’s not like the two teams played in drenching rain or snowy conditions.
Justin Tucker is having, statistically speaking, the worst season of his career. He boasts a career-low 72.7 field goal percentage this season, well below his career average of 89.3 percent.
Tucker’s second-worst FG percentage in a season is 82.5 back in the 2015 season. But even then, he had to attempt 40 kicks that year on a lousy Baltimore team.
Ravens Need Justin Tucker To Figure It Out, And Quickly
The Ravens’ chances of winning the AFC North took a huge hit in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. Baltimore is now 7-4 with six games to go, while Mike Tomlin’s Steelers are sitting pretty at 8-2.
Playoff games often come down to special teams, and Tucker has almost been Mr. Automatic in clutch situations. If the Ravens are to go on another deep playoff run this year, they sorely need Tucker to rediscover his groove.
