To grasp the kicking issues that Baltimore’s Justin Tucker is experiencing, it’s best to consult another kicker. I reached out to a notable one.

Lawrence Tynes, who made crucial game-winning kicks in two NFC Championship games that sent the Giants to the Super Bowl, has a wealth of experience. Tynes played for three NFL teams from 2001 to 2013 and is regarded as one of his era’s most dependable kickers, winning two Super Bowls in the process.

What Tynes has to say about Tucker is particularly relevant and enlightening.

“From my perspective,” Tynes shared with YSL News Sports, “it seems like he has a mechanical issue leading him to consistently miss to the left. It appears he hasn’t been able to correct this during games, despite potentially fixing it in practice, as the in-game pressure differs from that of practice.”

Bill Belichick echoed similar sentiments during the “Let’s Go!” podcast, stating, “It’s clear there’s something off with his technique. It’s not that he lacks talent; it’s more about consistency in his mechanics. If he could unlock that issue, he would likely be back to his normal self.” Belichick also noted that Tucker’s accuracy troubles date back to the previous season, indicating a pattern that has been concerning. He expressed confidence in Coach John Harbaugh’s decision to stand by Tucker, emphasizing that Tucker was historically the most accurate kicker in the league and that this slump isn’t indicative of a decline in his talent.”

Tucker has notably missed five kicks in his past three games, a performance anomaly for someone of his caliber. For Tucker, this drought feels equivalent to an ordinary kicker missing an astonishing 50 attempts. He is akin to a superhero among kickers—whether he sees himself as Thor, Iron Man, or Hawkeye, you get the gist.

The narrative surrounding his current struggles is one of the most compelling in not just the NFL, but across all sports.

Returning to Tynes, for those fascinated by the intricacies of kicking, he is a treasure trove of insights.

“Often, when a player overcorrects for missing left, they can veer right, which is what seemed to happen on Sunday,” Tynes mentioned.

Tucker’s performance in a recent game culminated in missing an extra point as well as two field goals during the Ravens’ 24-19 defeat to the Eagles.

In summary, Tynes stated, “He is mentally battling, and that’s the crux of the issue.”

How can Tucker address these challenges? The answer is still unclear; if it were simple, it would already be resolved.

What stands out is the dilemma facing the Ravens. Coach Harbaugh must decide whether to continue trusting Tucker, banking on his ability to overcome these hurdles, which could lead to a strong playoff performance.

Alternatively, he could stick with Tucker, but if the kicker fails to resolve his issues, it could lead to missed opportunities in crucial playoff games.

These decisions are anything but straightforward.

Tynes succinctly nailed the situation by saying, “He is arguably the greatest kicker ever, yet this is his first professional slump. Honestly, he isn’t managing it very well. It’s tough for the Ravens because you hope he can rectify his issues, but what happens if he doesn’t and it costs you in the playoffs?”

Indeed, the Ravens are in a challenging position.