Ravens Confront Kicking Concerns as Tyler Loop Faces Pressure From Jake Moody Competition
The Baltimore Ravens’ 13-10 loss turned on a single fourth-quarter swing, and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter did not hide his frustration when kicker Tyler Loop missed a 49-yard field goal with the Ravens leading 10-3. Days after the defeat, Minter confronted the issue head-on, calling the position “completely results driven” and comparing second-half missed field goals to turnovers. The organization answered by signing kicker Jake Moody to the practice squad, setting up direct competition for Loop’s roster spot.
Minter Sounds Alarm After Costly Miss in Fourth Quarter
With the Ravens protecting a seven-point lead late in the game, Loop’s miss from 49 yards left the door open for the opponent. Baltimore ultimately lost 13-10, making the failed kick one of the most consequential plays of the afternoon. Speaking Monday through Clifton Brown of the team website, Minter framed the moment as part of a broader accountability standard rather than an isolated mistake.
“Confronting issues and confronting problems is really what this whole thing’s about,” Minter said. “There’s kicks that take a lead game from a two-score game to a three-score game … or take that from a one-score game to a two-score game. Those are critical misses.”
Minter acknowledged Loop’s preparation and confidence but emphasized that production ultimately determines the job. “We need to make second-half kicks,” he said. “You could argue that second-half missed field goals are no different than turning the ball over.”
Loop’s Season Numbers Tell a Story of Inconsistency
Through the early portion of the season, Loop has converted 10 of 13 field-goal attempts, highlighted by a walk-off 56-yarder in overtime to beat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. The struggles, however, have clustered in a specific range. All three of his misses have come from 40 to 49 yards, and he has made only two of five attempts from that distance.
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Field goals made | 10 of 13 |
| Misses from 40–49 yards | 3 of 3 |
| Made from 40–49 yards | 2 of 5 |
| Longest made field goal | 56 yards (Week 3 vs. Cowboys) |
Ravens Bring Back Jake Moody to Create Competition
The Ravens are signing Jake Moody to their practice squad, bringing him back as competition for Loop. The team previously signed Moody after Loop missed three of his eight field-goal attempts in the preseason. Baltimore cut Moody from the practice squad on Sept. 15 after Loop responded with field goals of 57 and 45 yards against the Indianapolis Colts.
The decision to re-add Moody signals that the coaching staff is unwilling to let a kicking vacancy harden into a season-long problem. By placing another leg on the practice squad, the Ravens create an in-house alternative should Loop’s accuracy from mid-range continue to fluctuate.
What Results-Driven Means at Kicker Position
Unlike many positions where coaches can hide mistakes with scheme or substitutions, kicking offers no such cover. A missed field goal appears on the scoreboard, often at the most visible moments of a game. Minter’s comments reflect that reality: preparation and practice habits matter, but they are secondary to converting kicks when the game is on the line.
For now, Loop remains the Ravens’ kicker. The arrival of Moody adds pressure, and the next several weeks will reveal whether the competition sharpens Loop’s accuracy or forces Baltimore to make a change at one of the most unforgiving positions in football.
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