At a Glance
- Steelers edge Ravens 26-24 in a dramatic finish
- Aaron Rodgers leads late touchdown, but Chris Boswell misses 2-point conversion
- Rookie kicker Tyler Loop misses 44-yard field goal, ending Baltimore’s playoff hopes
- Why it matters: Steelers advance to face Houston Texans in the wild-card game
The 2025-26 regular season concluded with a Game of the Year candidate as the Pittsburgh Steelers survived the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 after a roller-coaster finish. A late touchdown drive by Aaron Rodgers was followed by a missed two-point conversion, and a 44-yard field-goal attempt by rookie Tyler Loop went wide, sealing the game for Pittsburgh.
The Final Minutes
The Steelers’ 26-24 win hinged on Rodgers’ late touchdown drive, but Chris Boswell’s missed two-point conversion left the score tied. Keaton Mitchell’s 41-yard kickoff return set up Lamar Jackson’s final drive, culminating in a 4-th-and-7 catch by Isaiah Likely on Jalen Ramsey. Loop’s 44-yard field-goal attempt missed, ending Baltimore’s playoff hopes.
Kicking Drama
- Chris Boswell had 89 straight extra-point attempts before shanking one in the game.
- Tyler Loop missed all three kicks beyond 50 yards this season.
- Justin Tucker was suspended in May after an investigation; he is now a free agent.
- Baltimore drafted Loop in the fifth round to replace Tucker.
Superstitions and Field Blessing
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Field blessing | A priest sprayed holy water on Pittsburgh’s field before the game |
| Missed FG side | Loop’s miss occurred on the same side of the end zone that was sprayed |
A priest’s blessing of the field with holy water preceded the game, and Loop’s miss happened on the side of the end zone that had been sprayed, adding an odd superstition to the story.
Key Takeaways
- The Steelers’ 26-24 win kept their playoff hopes alive.
- Rookie kicker Tyler Loop’s missed field goal was a pivotal moment.
- The game featured significant kicking drama with Boswell’s missed extra point and Loop’s missed attempts.
Pittsburgh’s victory sets up a wild-card matchup against the No. 5 Houston Texans on Monday, Jan. 12, as the Steelers continue their playoff push.
