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NFL

I won't be able to sleep for days – Baltimore hero Tucker revels in incredible kick

Justin Tucker hit an NFL-record field goal to seal a win for the Ravens in Week 3 and fears he might not be able to sleep as a result.

Update:
I won't be able to sleep for days – Baltimore hero Tucker revels in incredible kick
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The Baltimore Ravens might not get a well-rested Justin Tucker in Week 4 after he rescued them with a miracle field goal against the Detroit Lions.

Baltimore trailed the winless Lions 17-16 with 64 seconds left and faced a fourth down and 19 with 26 seconds remaining.

However, Lamar Jackson hit Sammy Watkins for 36 yards to keep their hopes alive, setting up Tucker for an improbable 66-yard game-winning field goal.

Tucker's effort from an NFL-record distance bounced off the top of the crossbar and over in a remarkable finish that sparked jubilant Ravens celebrations.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens prepares to kick a 43-yard field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens prepares to kick a 43-yard field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland.Rob CarrAFP

The Ravens are now 2-1 and face a tough road game with the Denver Broncos next week, one that Tucker may have to tackle with little sleep.

"When you're that far away, it's just not a normal kick where you treat it like any other kick," Tucker said.

"You do have to kind of juice it a little bit. You gotta let adrenaline just take over. The technique may change just a little bit. It was actually more like a kick-off, where you just lay into it, like you're a competitor in a long-drive contest.

"You just let it rip and you kind of hope it stays straight. And that ball stayed straight as an arrow.

"I did see it hit the crossbar, and I thought that it might have just gone straight up and then fallen short. But when I saw that it did clear the goal post, I can't even tell you how excited I was to get that result.

"Everything just went perfectly. It had to – the snap, the placement, the kick, the ball went exactly how far it needed to go. Exactly. "I am floating. I won't be able to sleep for days."

There was controversy on the play prior to Tucker's field goal, which saw the Ravens avoid being assessed a delay of game penalty despite the play clock expiring.

It means Lions head coach Dan Campbell is still waiting for his first win, and he was in no mood to discuss that lapse from the officials.

"There's nothing I can say to that, because it's the same thing," Campbell said.

"Tomorrow, you'll get an apology, and it doesn't mean anything. That's life, and that's the hand we were dealt. "We still had an opportunity to – that was fourth-and-long, a long way to go, and we gave it up."