Raiders face Ravens team kicking in high gear

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Justin Tucker has a knack for putting the exclamation point on drives that come up short of the goal line.

Tucker has kicked nine field goals this season for the Baltimore Ravens, who are unbeaten after three games primarily because of his unfailing accuracy - especially with the outcome hanging in the balance.

Since landing a four-year, $6.8 million contract during the offseason, Tucker has scored in a big way for Baltimore. He hasn't missed a kick and accounted for all 12 of the team's fourth-quarter points, including a game-winning, 53-yard field goal Sunday in a 19-17 win at Jacksonville.

The kick - changed officially from 54 yards by the NFL on Wednesday - concluded a desperate drive by Joe Flacco that fizzled at the Jaguars' 35.

“When games come down to the final possession,” Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said, “you want a quarterback with ice in his veins, and you (darn) sure want a kicker with ice in his veins as well.”

Although the Ravens have thus far reached the end zone only four times, Tucker has rescued the offense by scoring 31 of the team's 57 points.

“I don't think of it as any added pressure,” Tucker said Wednesday. “If the game dictates that we need to kick four field goals, then we'd better make four field goals. If the game dictates that I just need to make a few PATs while we're beating up somebody, that's exactly what I will do. I just need to make kicks, regardless of the situation.”

The opposition has taken notice. The Ravens face Oakland (2-1) on Sunday, and Raiders coach Jack Del Rio knows Tucker rarely misfires in the first quarter or the last.

“He's been phenomenal,” Del Rio said. “Tucker is second all-time in terms of field goal kicks, and they're not all short ones. He's pretty amazing.”

Indeed, Tucker ranks second behind Dallas' Dan Bailey in career field percentage. Bailey is at 90.4 percent, and Tucker is moving up the chart at 88.5 percent.

Tucker made the Pro Bowl in 2013 and has won 12 games with field goals.

Raiders add offensive lineman for Sunday

The Raiders have promoted offensive lineman Denver Kirkland from the practice squad to the active roster.

The move Wednesday puts the Raiders at the 53-man limit after operating one player under the maximum all season.

Kirkland joined the Raiders this offseason as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas.

Oakland is thin on the offensive line with tackles Menelik Watson (calf) and Austin Howard (ankle), and center Rodney Hudson (knee) all sitting out practice Wednesday.

Oakland also signed linebacker Darnell Sankey to the practice squad.