Justin Tucker could set record against New Orleans Saints
Sep 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) kicks the game-winning field goal during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens would sooner have extra points than field goals against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. Should the offense stall out, though, they can take solace in the fact that they are helping Justin Tucker get closer to achieving the NFL record for most accurate kicker of all time.
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The current record holder is Dan Bailey of the Dallas Cowboys at 89.831 percent. The minimum number of kicks is 100 to qualify for the record, and Tucker has 96, of which he has made 87 for his career. Make three of his next four, and the record belongs to Tucker.
Obviously, he does not need to set the record tonight. If the Ravens’ offense excels, Tucker could take weeks to set the record.
Tonight or otherwise, Tucker has a chance to make history, and he deserves it. Tucker has nailed big kick after big kick in his career: A 61-yard game winner in Detroit, a 47-yard game winner at Denver in the 2013 playoffs in sub-zero temperatures. Justin Tucker can be trusted in the biggest of situations, and not many kickers can say that.
Most incredibly, Tucker is still remarkably young. Kickers rarely start their careers as well as Tucker has. At just 25, Tucker is more accurate than some of the game’s most famous kickers. That’s pretty incredible for a guy who went undrafted.
Tucker has proven repeatedly to be among the NFL’s best kickers, and he could cement that tonight or at least in the near future. With the record in sight, here’s hoping Tucker achieves the record, whenever that happens, and holds on to it for a long time.