Ravens Kicker Misses Field Goal, Resulting in Missing Playoffs

The Baltimore Ravens entered their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 4, 2026, as the favorites in the high-tension rivalry the two teams have had for decades. The Ravens were listed as a 3.5 favorite almost everywhere entering this matchup for the wildcard spot in the playoffs and for the AFC North title. 

Just a day before the game, the Ravens ruled out their starting wide receiver, Rashod Bateman, due to illness. But the star quarterback for Baltimore, Lamar Jackson, let his availability be known despite suffering a back contusion just a week prior. “Yeah, 100 percent, I’ll be out there,” said Jackson when asked about his availability. Jackson intended to enter the game wearing a flak jacket for extra padding on his back. “I never quit on my team,” said Jackson as skepticism rose around whether he was truly hurt. 

The game started quickly with Baltimore taking control and frustrating Pittsburgh’s home crowd. Lamar Jackson threw a 38-yard pass to wide receiver Devontez Walker for a touchdown just four minutes into the first quarter. The extra point was good for Ravens kicker Tyler Loop. The Ravens then shut down the Steelers’ offense on their first drive, making Aaron Rodgers throw two incompletions and lose a yard.

The Steelers decided to finally get points on the board after Loop kicked a 40-yard field goal for the Ravens, boosting the score to 10-0. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell kicked a 57-yard field goal for the first points of the night, leaving the score 10-3 at halftime. Coming out of halftime, the Steelers made changes. Steelers tight-end, Connor Heyward, made a one-yard push for Pittsburgh’s first touchdown of the game, followed by Boswell’s kick being good. Boswell kicked another field goal a few minutes later to take the lead for Pittsburgh.

Baltimore didn’t score in the third quarter but came out hot in the fourth, scoring a touchdown after the Ravens defense yet again sacked Rodgers. The momentum change from the 50-yard touchdown to wide receiver Zay Flowers sparked life back in the Ravens. But it wasn’t enough to stop 42-year old Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers as running back Kenneth Gainwell made a 2-yard run for a touchdown and a good kick from Boswell to take the lead back 17-20 with three minutes remaining in the game. In under one minute of just getting the ball back, Flowers and Jackson did it again with a 64-yard touchdown this time, and the extra point from Loop being good, making the score 24-20 with two minutes left. 

Rodgers proved he had life still in his throwing arm after 21 seasons of being in the NFL. The Steelers came back and scored off a 26-yard touchdown to wide receiver Calvin Austin III, but the extra point from Boswell was blocked, giving the Steelers only a two-point advantage. The Ravens had to come down quickly as they only had 50 seconds left on the clock. 

With two seconds left in the game Ravens decided for Loop to kick a 44-yard field goal for the win. Loop, who was 30/33 on kicks coming into the game, which is roughly 90 percent missed wide right, lost the Ravens’ chance of a shot at the playoffs. The Steelers’ stadium erupted as they won the AFC North title for the first time in 5 years and got a shot at the wildcard game.