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Ravens K Justin Tucker: Steelers Playing Surface ‘Wasn’t Ideal’
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker said the field condition 'wasn't idea' against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
PITTSBURGH — Justin Tucker is one of the best kickers in NFL history, and the legendary Baltimore Ravens kicker might end up in the Hall of Fame someday, but Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tucker cost his team six crucial points in a two-point loss to their biggest rivals.
Tucker missed two first-half field goals, from 48 and 50 yards — well within his normal range — and the Ravens could have gone into the half leading, 13-9, instead of trailing, 9-7.
Both Tucker’s errant kicks in the first quarter https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1858228584000741628″>sailed
wide left, and he said had to make an adjustment after the two misses. He later connected on a 54-yarder.
"He has been Mr. Automatic throughout his career. 50 yarder. Tucker. The struggles are real. This is not the same guy that we've seen the last 12 years."
-Ian Eagle with the call on Justin Tucker's second miss of the game pic.twitter.com/urrVMCX0K9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 17, 2024
“I felt like I started the ball pretty much center of the uprights, and then it just took a left,” Tucker said. “I made an adjustment in the remaining opportunities that we had in the game, and I made it a point to aim further out to the right side of the center of the uprights.
“It’s certainly frustrating, especially when we know that these games come down to the wire, like this one did today, that I let a couple get away. But, like I’ve said before, the only thing that we can do is just get right back to work and focus on making the most out of our next opportunity.”
Tucker was specifically asked if the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium was an issue. The field hosted the Pitt Panthers and Clemson Tigers the day before.
“I wouldn’t say the surface was an issue, but it wasn’t ideal,” Tucker said. “That’s something that we make it a point to account for by going out there in pre-game warmups and getting our feet under us, figuring out what the wind may be doing. But we’ve dealt with that plenty of times here, elsewhere, at home. Throughout the course of the game, the most action takes place in between the hashes, and it naturally just gets chewed up. So, it’s something that we make it a point to kind of tackle in pre-game warmups and then make whatever minor adjustments – if necessary – with whatever opportunities come to us throughout the game.”
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell seemed to have no problems, tying a franchise record with six made field goals in six attempts. Tucker has been doing more adjusting than he’s accustomed to this year. His two misses on Sunday gave him six on the season. He missed only five field goals all of last year.
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