The Baltimore Ravens’ season concluded on Sunday night in gut‑wrenching fashion as they fell 26‑24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, eliminating their chance at the AFC North title and a playoff berth for the first time since 2021. A sixth‑round rookie, Tyler Loop, pushed a 44‑yard game‑winning field‑goal attempt wide right as time expired, sealing the loss. The game swung several times in the fourth quarter, including two long touchdown strikes from Lamar Jackson to Zay Flowers and a late 26‑yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers to Calvin Austin III that reclaimed the lead for Pittsburgh. The defeat leaves the Ravens facing offseason questions on special teams, protection, and defensive tackling.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Steelers 26, Ravens 24; game ended on a missed 44‑yard field goal as time expired.
- Rookie kicker Tyler Loop (sixth round) made a 40‑yard field goal in the second quarter but missed the 44‑yard attempt at the end.
- Lamar Jackson completed 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards, throwing three touchdowns and one interception.
- Zay Flowers recorded 138 receiving yards on four catches, including touchdown receptions of 50 and 64 yards.
- Derrick Henry carried 20 times for 126 yards, leading Baltimore on the ground.
- Time of possession favored Pittsburgh, 34:11 to Baltimore’s 25:49; total yards were 390 (PIT) to 359 (BAL).
- Ravens forced zero turnovers and converted 4 of 12 third downs; Pittsburgh forced one turnover and converted 9 of 16 third downs.
Background
The AFC North race came down to this late‑season matchup with the division title and postseason implications on the line. Baltimore entered the game with expectations of contending for the division after a multi‑year run that included consistent playoff appearances; failing to qualify now marks the team’s first absence from the playoffs since 2021. Special teams, offensive line consistency, and defensive tackling have been recurring themes across the season and were especially consequential in a one‑possession game decided in the final minute.
Roster-wise, Baltimore leaned on its offensive leaders—quarterback Lamar Jackson, receiver Zay Flowers, and running back Derrick Henry—to generate explosive plays. Pittsburgh’s offense produced 390 total yards and capitalized on several momentum shifts, while Baltimore’s inability to force turnovers and several self‑inflicted errors ultimately proved costly. The result intensifies questions about personnel and situational execution heading into the offseason.
Main Event
The scoring opened in the first quarter when Devontez Walker caught a 38‑yard pass from Lamar Jackson at 10:54, giving Baltimore a 7‑0 lead. In the second quarter, Tyler Loop converted a 40‑yard field goal at 13:33 to extend the advantage to 10‑0 before Chris Boswell hit a 57‑yard field goal at 8:52 to cut the gap to 10‑3. A series of back‑and‑forth drives set the tone for a tightly contested second half.
Pittsburgh tied the game in the third quarter when Connor Heyward punched in a 1‑yard touchdown run at 8:23, and later took a 13‑10 lead on a 25‑yard Boswell field goal at 4:28. Baltimore responded in the fourth with a pivotal play: on a third down, Jackson escaped pressure and connected on a 50‑yard touchdown to Zay Flowers at 8:42 to retake a 17‑13 lead.
Pittsburgh countered with Kenneth Gainwell’s 2‑yard rushing touchdown at 3:49, making it 20‑17 in favor of the Steelers. With 2:20 left, Jackson again found Flowers, this time on a 64‑yard touchdown that put the Ravens ahead 24‑20. The Steelers answered with a 26‑yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Calvin Austin III at 0:55 after a defensive slip by Chidobe Awuzie, giving Pittsburgh a 26‑24 edge and forcing Baltimore into a final, time‑constrained drive.
The Ravens reached field‑goal range with seconds remaining, but the 44‑yard attempt by Tyler Loop drifted wide right as the clock hit zero, ending Baltimore’s season and handing the division to Pittsburgh. Key moments that swung the game included an early kickoff out of bounds, a wiped‑out Jackson rush on a holding penalty, and missed tackling that allowed explosive plays.
Analysis & Implications
Special teams will be the immediate focal point for Baltimore. Loop’s afternoon was mixed: a 40‑yard make in the second quarter but a decisive miss from 44 yards to end the game. The kickoff out of bounds that gave Pittsburgh favorable field position earlier in the fourth quarter directly preceded a go‑ahead touchdown, underlining how small errors compounded into game‑deciding consequences.
Offensively, the Jackson‑Flowers connection provided big‑play ability—two long TDs totaling 114 yards between them—but the Ravens’ failure to sustain drives and convert third downs (4‑of‑12) limited time of possession and put pressure on a defense that yielded 390 yards. Derrick Henry’s 126 rushing yards showed continued effectiveness, but the second‑half adjustments by Pittsburgh’s defense squeezed the ground game in critical moments.
Defensively, Baltimore’s tackling lapses and lack of takeaways were decisive. The Ravens forced zero turnovers while allowing Pittsburgh to produce 24 points in the second half. Those shortcomings point to personnel evaluation needs in the offseason—particularly in run defense and tackling technique—as well as potential schematic adjustments to generate more pressure and turnover opportunities.
Comparison & Data
| Ravens | Steelers | |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 24 | 26 |
| Total Yards | 359 | 390 |
| Time of Possession | 25:49 | 34:11 |
| Third‑Down Efficiency | 4‑of‑12 | 9‑of‑16 |
| Turnovers Forced | 0 | 1 |
The table highlights how Pittsburgh’s sustained possession and third‑down conversions translated into a narrow win despite similar total‑yardage outputs. Baltimore’s efficiency issues on third down and the absence of takeaways were the statistical differences that aligned with the final score.
Reactions & Quotes
“It’s a tough way to finish. We had chances and didn’t close it out.”
Ravens head coach (postgame remarks via team site)
The head coach framed the outcome around missed opportunities and execution. That perspective was echoed in the locker room, where players pointed to a mix of special teams errors and defensive lapses as decisive factors.
“Flowers made two explosive plays that kept us in position, but we came up short when it mattered most.”
Offensive leader (postgame remarks via team site)
Offensive leaders highlighted the big‑play success but acknowledged situational failures in closing the game. Fans and analysts immediately raised questions about late‑game decision‑making and roster moves that could be prioritized this offseason.
Unconfirmed
- Any long‑term kicker plans for Tyler Loop are undecided; team statements about roster moves have not been confirmed.
- Reports naming specific injuries or personnel absences for Pittsburgh were not verified in the official game report.
Bottom Line
The 26‑24 loss ends Baltimore’s season and hands the AFC North crown to Pittsburgh, underscoring how narrow margins—special teams execution, missed tackles, and third‑down efficiency—decided a one‑possession game. Statistically, the teams were comparable in total yardage, but possession and situational performance tilted the outcome.
Looking ahead, Baltimore’s front office must weigh upgrades on special teams, early‑down defense, and perhaps offensive line protection to better protect Lamar Jackson in pressure moments. The defeat crystallizes clear offseason priorities if the Ravens intend to return to consistent postseason contention.
Sources
- BaltimoreRavens.com — official team site, game recap and postgame notes