There hadn't been much Tucker Time yet this season.
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker got a reputation for being clutch in his rookie year. But he had yet to be in a game-winning situation this season.
In his first opportunity, Tucker drilled a 44-yarder through the uprights with less than two minutes remaining to give Baltimore a 26-23 win.
Tucker went 4-for-4 on the day, also hitting from 42, 50 and 25 yards.
"To be able to put ourselves in that position where we have the upper hand in the 2-minute drill, that's big-time for us," Tucker said. "It's just a great team effort and great preparation."
Tucker had three game-winning field goals last year, against the Patriots, Chargers and Broncos (divisional playoffs).
Tucker said the Ravens practice two-minute and four-minute drills every day. He is often times called in to kick at the end of those drives, and he hears it from the defense trying to distract him.
"Where our guys do their best work is in the two-minute drill and the four-minute drill and specific game situations that will come up during the week," Tucker said.
Tucker had hit four field goals in a single game only once before, in Week 16 last season against the New York Giants.
The second-year kicker went through a bit of a rough patch near the start of this season. After saying he was shooting for perfection this year, Tucker missed two field goals in the Ravens' Week 2 game against Cleveland.
Those are still weighing on him a bit. It flashed in his mind when he trotted out for his 50-yard attempt Sunday in Miami.
"It's funny how stuff works out. One of the misses I had earlier in the season was from 50 yards, right hash. It was almost the identical spot," Tucker said.
"It's kind of in the back of your mind. There's this time warp kind of thing going. In 1.3 seconds, a lot goes through your head. To be able to knock it down and knock down all four of the field goals today and come out with a win, that's big-time."
