Ravens placekicker Justin Tucker has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Denver Broncos. It's the eighth time Tucker has won the award.
Tucker made two 52-yard field goals during the Ravens' 27-14 victory and has connected on eight straight field goals of 50 yards or more. Tucker has already made three field goals of at least 50 yards this season, and he has made 36 field goals from 50 yards or beyond since entering the NFL in 2012, the most of any kicker.
During his career with the Ravens, Tucker has made more field goals (207) than any other kicker, three more than Stephen Gostkowski of the Patriots (204), and 23 more than Stephen Hauschka of the Buffalo Bills, who has made the third most since 2012 (184).
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh recently spoke about the comfort of having a kicker as reliable as Tucker, in a league where missed field goals at the end of games often determine the outcome.
"In Baltimore, we don't ever take those three guys for granted," said Harbaugh, speaking of Tucker, punter Sam Koch, and long snapper Morgan Cox. "They're a team. They'll be the first to tell you that they have to make the next kick. So, they work really hard to do that."
Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs also gave Tucker props recently, with reluctance. The super confident and funny Tucker is often teased by teammates.
"I have to give him a compliment?" said Suggs."We love Tuck, OK? We're glad he's consistent, but he knows what we're going to do to him if he starts to be inconsistent. But yeah, it's good to have a reliable kicker."
