In what turned out to be a closely contested, low-scoring thriller reminiscent of the 1990s, the Baltimore Ravens faced off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11, with momentum seemingly shifting towards the Ravens as the first quarter drew to a close.
Despite a fumble and a missed field goal on two of their initial three drives, Baltimore was fortunate to find themselves only trailing 3-0. The defense had just successfully halted the Steelers on a crucial 4th-and-1 run, providing the offense with advantageous field position.
However, the Ravens managed to gain only 14 yards following the turnover on downs. Fortunately, they positioned their kicker—who ranks as the second-most accurate in NFL history—for a 50-yard field goal attempt to equalize the score.
Unfortunately, he missed for the second consecutive time, allowing Pittsburgh to maintain their lead.
Ultimately, the Ravens suffered a narrow 18-16 defeat to their longstanding rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, bringing their record to 7-4. This match held significant implications, as the victor would ascend to first place in the AFC North, thereby gaining a favorable position to host a playoff game.
The Steelers secured a victory by scoring solely through field goals, with kicker Chris Boswell successfully converting all six of his attempts. Conversely, the Ravens faced a narrow defeat, having missed two field goals, which has raised concerns about their performance.
All four of Baltimore’s losses this season have occurred in one-possession games, and in each of these defeats, kicker Justin Tucker has failed to convert at least one field goal.
While missed kicks are not an uncommon occurrence in football, it is noteworthy when it involves Tucker.
As the 2024 season approaches, Tucker holds the record as the most accurate field-goal kicker in NFL history, with a conversion rate of 90.2%, making him the only player to achieve a success rate at or above 90%. However, his accuracy has significantly declined this season, as he has successfully made only 16 out of 22 field goals in 11 games.
This represents a surprising decline for a player who had established himself as a vital asset for the Baltimore team.
