There were 12 field goals missed in Week 1's slate of NFL games, including three potential game winners.
In Denver, Panthers kicker Graham Gano's missed 50-yard field goal gave the Broncos a win. In New Orleans, Saints kicker Will Lutz missed a 61-yard boot that could have shocked the Raiders. In Arizona, a low snap caused Cardinals kicker Chandler Cantanzaro to hook his 47-yard attempt wide left to give the Patriots a victory.
None of those are easy attempts by any means, but they all underscore one thing. Thank goodness for Justin Tucker.
The Ravens kicker booted 50- and 37-yard field goals in the Ravens' 13-7 season-opening win over the Buffalo Bills. Those six points from Tucker's right leg made all the difference.
It was Tucker's first game since signing a four-year contract extension this offseason, highlighting the wise investment the Ravens made.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said his appreciation of Tucker has nothing to do with the other kickers, however.
"It has to do with the fact that we've always appreciated Justin," Harbaugh said. "We've always realized how good he was, and we do appreciate it.
"But he has to make the next kick. We're not sitting here going, 'The next kick is in the bag because we have Justin Tucker as our kicker.' That's why he works hard. That's why those three guys [Tucker, Sam Koch and Morgan Cox] work hard, and protection works hard. You don't take everything for granted, and you try to have great players at every position playing great."
Tucker was 4-of-10 from 50 yards or beyond last year, which gave him his lowest career percentage (40 percent) from that range. His best career year from 50-plus was in 2013 when he went 6-for-7 and made the Pro Bowl. He's off to a good start in 2016.
In addition to his two field goals, Tucker also hit a 45-yard attempt that was taken off the board by a Bills penalty that gave the Ravens a free first down.
"We are very blessed to have Justin as our kicker and we try to do everything we can to help him be the best he can be," Harbaugh said.
