Kicker Justin Tucker’s miss from 67 yards didn’t simply finish the Ravens’ hopes of an unbelievable rally Sunday in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It additionally ended one of many NFL’s most outstanding subject aim streaks.
Earlier than his last-second strive fell wanting the crossbar at TIAA Financial institution Area, Tucker had made 65 consecutive subject targets within the fourth quarter and extra time, the longest such streak in NFL historical past. He was additionally 17-for-17 on makes an attempt within the ultimate minute of regulation coming into Sunday, a stretch that included an NFL-record 66-yarder as time expired in a comeback win final 12 months over the Detroit Lions.
Tucker was the Ravens’ solely dependable supply of scoring for the primary three quarters of their 28-27 loss Sunday, connecting on subject targets from 27, 29, 55 and 24 yards and surpassing kicker Stephen Gostkowski for probably the most factors scored within the first 11 years of a profession in NFL historical past (1,458).
After quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars to a last-minute landing and go-ahead 2-point conversion, the Ravens trailed 28-27 with simply 14 seconds left. They reached Jacksonville’s 49-yard line with two seconds remaining. Slightly than have quarterback Lamar Jackson throw up a prayer, coach John Harbaugh known as on probably the most correct kicker in NFL historical past. “I believe the kick has a greater likelihood than a Hail Mary,” Harbaugh mentioned afterward.
Tucker’s newest shot at historical past was correct sufficient, as straight as an arrow. However his lengthy run-up didn’t generate sufficient energy. Jaguars followers began cheering earlier than the ball even fell to the grass. Tucker mentioned afterward that he was “struggling to actually simply get the ball to go in both route” from lengthy distance earlier than the sport.
“The truth that we had an opportunity and I didn’t ship, it’s heartbreaking to me at this level, particularly when it’s a kick that I do know I've the flexibility to make,” he mentioned. “[Long snapper] Nick [Moore] and [holder] Jordan [Stout] did a wonderful job all through the day. They did an important job on that kick, too. It simply sort of wasn’t within the playing cards for us, and the one factor that we are able to do is simply maintain working, transfer on and attempt to beat Denver opponent once they come to go to us in Baltimore subsequent week.”
Bittersweet return
The whole lot about Ravens tight finish Josh Oliver’s efficiency Sunday was storybook — all the things however the ending.
Oliver, a third-round draft choose of the Jaguars in 2019, recorded crew and profession highs in receptions (4) and receiving yards (76) in his return to Jacksonville, together with a go-ahead 12-yard landing catch with simply over two minutes remaining. However that was little comfort after one other late collapse.
“Undoubtedly powerful,” Oliver mentioned of the loss to the Jaguars, who traded him to Baltimore in March 2021 for a conditional seventh-round choose, then watched him develop into one of many NFL’s greatest blocking tight ends. “It’s a blessing to be again out on the sphere. I've to thank God. Coming again right here wholesome is a big factor for me, however it’s additionally powerful. It’s a loss.”
Oliver, who struggled with accidents early in his profession, now has single-season highs in receptions (11), receiving yards (130) and receiving touchdowns (two). However he might’ve had much more Sunday. One would-be landing go bounced off his fingertips early within the third quarter, and the Ravens needed to accept a red-zone subject aim.
Later, on his go-ahead catch-and-run rating, Oliver might have stayed within the subject of play in hopes of draining the clock additional. However the first-down marker was on the Jaguars’ 1, and Oliver indicated that the Ravens’ precedence then was taking the lead, not managing the clock.
“I believe we have been considering, ‘Rating first, rise up and the playing cards [will] fall the place they do,’” he mentioned.
Controversial name
Harbaugh mentioned he didn’t get a proof from officers on why Jaguars vast receiver Marvin Jones’ last-minute, shin-dragging landing catch was confirmed after a assessment.
On the 10-yard seize over Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters, Jones obtained just one foot and a part of his shin down inbounds. That was sufficient, although.
“I used to be fairly certain that wasn’t a catch, however I believe no matter they known as on the sphere, it was so shut that it was going to face,” defensive lineman Calais Campbell mentioned. “I suppose they are saying a shin counts as two toes or no matter. You recognize, I assumed that for certain wasn’t a catch. [We’ve] obtained to only present up and play soccer. No matter they name, you’ve obtained to stay with it. We will’t management the circumstances. Simply proceed enjoying soccer. After they obtained that, you’ve obtained to discover a solution to get a cease and win the ballgame.”
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