Are the Ravens out of the playoffs? Yes, after a devastating 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. The Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 season ended in heartbreak when rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a potential game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired. The Steelers advanced to the AFC North title and secured an AFC playoff spot, while the Ravens finished their season with a disappointing 8-9 record.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: Steelers 26, Ravens 24 on January 5, 2026 in Week 18
- Decisive Moment: Tyler Loop’s 44-yard field goal attempt missed wide right with no time remaining
- Game-Winning Play: Aaron Rodgers and Calvin Austin connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 55 seconds left
- Playoff Impact: Steelers claimed the AFC North title and the No. 4 AFC playoff seed as division champions
The Final Minutes: Drama at Acrisure Stadium
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The Ravens controlled much of this winner-take-all AFC North showdown, with Lamar Jackson leading Baltimore’s potent offense. Receiver Zay Flowers caught a spectacular 64-yard touchdown pass from Jackson that gave Baltimore a 24-20 advantage entering the critical closing moments. Everything appeared to be falling in place for the Ravens to secure a playoff berth.
But the Steelers refused to surrender their season to Baltimore. With just 55 seconds remaining on the clock, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers engineered a masterful final drive. He found Calvin Austin III wide open on the right side for a 26-yard touchdown reception, giving Pittsburgh a stunning 26-24 lead. The Steelers’ two-point conversion attempt added extra insurance to the scoreline.
One Last Chance Lost on the Final Play
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The Ravens took possession with their season on the line and just seconds to play. They moved into field goal range and exhausted their final timeout, leaving one play to decide it all. This was rookie kicker Tyler Loop‘s moment to become a hero. The ball was snapped, Loop’s leg made contact, and the kick sailed through the cold Pittsburgh air toward the uprights. But it drifted just beyond the target, sailing wide right of the goalpost.
The ball missed, the horn sounded, and Baltimore season ended in devastating fashion. For Loop, the moment represented the ultimate pressure test of his first NFL season. He had made critical kicks throughout the year, yet this 44-yard attempt would define his rookie year. The miss meant the Ravens went home out of the playoffs despite playing competitive football all season long.
How the Game Unfolded on Sunday Night
| Quarter | Key Event | Score |
| 1st-2nd | Defensive struggle, both teams trade field goals | Tied throughout |
| 3rd Quarter | Ravens take lead on Flowers’ massive 64-yard TD | Ravens 24, Steelers 20 |
| 4th Quarter – Final 1:00 | Rodgers finds Austin for go-ahead touchdown | Steelers 26, Ravens 24 |
| Final Play | Loop misses 44-yard field goal attempt | Steelers 26, Ravens 24 FINAL |
What This Means for Both Teams’ Playoff Pictures
The Steelers’ victory guaranteed them AFC North supremacy and the fourth playoff seed in the AFC. Pittsburgh finished the regular season at 10-7, claiming a division crown in a weak AFC North. The Steelers will face the Houston Texans, the fifth seed, in the Wild Card round as they pursue their first playoff appearance since the start of this cycle.
For Baltimore, the crushing loss ended their season at 8-9, well below playoff positioning standards. The Ravens entered this game needing a victory to extend their season but came up just inches short. Their offense showed competence throughout the game, yet the defensive inability to slow Pittsburgh’s final drive proved fatal. With this loss, the Ravens begin their offseason analysis with questions about quarterback continuity, roster construction, and coaching decisions.
Will the Ravens Bounce Back Next Season and Reclaim AFC North Glory?
This heartbreaking playoff elimination raises significant questions about Baltimore’s trajectory. The Ravens had invested heavily in their roster and expected playoff contention throughout the 2025 season. Yet they finished third in their own division, missing the postseason due to one critical final play.
Head coach John Harbaugh must navigate a challenging offseason ahead. The team showed flashes of brilliance on offense with playmakers like Zay Flowers producing big plays. However, consistency issues plagued Baltimore throughout the season. The Ravens will need defensive improvements and potential roster overhauls to challenge for conference supremacy next year and avoid another elimination on the final play.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports – Live game coverage and final score updates
- NBC News – Sunday Night Football game reporting
- The New York Times Athletic – Detailed game analysis and statistics
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.