The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed their first division championship in five years after a thrilling finishLxVJK against the Baltimore Ravens.
Pittsburgh secured a dramatic 26-24 victory Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium when Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired. The win clinched the AFC North title for the Steelers and eliminated Baltimore from playoff contention.
Aaron Rodgers passed for a season-high 294 yards in the victory. The win sends Pittsburgh to the playoffs as the fourth seed, where they will host the Houston Texans on January 12 at 8:15 PM on ESPN and ABC.
The Steelers now prepare for their first playoff game since 2024. Can they finally end their postseason drought and make a deep run? Let’s dive deeper into this unforgettable finish.
A Season-Ending Showdown for Division Supremacy
The final game of the regular season turned into a winner-take-all battle.
Pittsburgh and Baltimore entered Sunday night knowing the stakes. The victor would claim the AFC North title and advance to the playoffs as the fourth seed. The loser would head home after missing the postseason entirely.
Both teams fought hard throughout four quarters of physical football. Twenty-seven points were scored in the final quarter alone as the teams traded blows. The drama never stopped building right up to the final whistle.
Tyler Loop’s Heartbreaking Miss Decides Everything
The rookie kicker had his chance to be a hero, but came up short.
With just 14 seconds remaining, Lamar Jackson connected with tight end Isaiah Likely on a crucial fourth-down play. The 26-yard catch placed Baltimore in excellent field goal position for Loop to attempt the game-winner.
Loop’s 44-yard attempt sailed wide right as time expired, never having a chance. The rookie kicker later explained he “mishit the ball” and felt something was wrong immediately upon contact. His miss devastatingly ended Baltimore’s season.
Aaron Rodgers Leads Steelers to Victory at Age 42
The veteran quarterback delivered when his team needed him most.
Rodgers finished 31 of 47 for 294 passing yards and a touchdown despite not having star receiver DK Metcalf. His clutch performance showcased why Pittsburgh pursued him during the offseason after years in Green Bay and New York.
The 42-year-old quarterback found Calvin Austin wide open for a 26-yard touchdown with 55 seconds left to give Pittsburgh a 26-24 lead. Rodgers proved that age is just a number when it matters most in critical situations.
Fourth Quarter Heroics Define Wild Finish
Four lead changes in the final 10 minutes created unforgettable drama.
The fourth quarter featured explosive plays from both sides in rapid succession. Lamar Jackson threw two long touchdown passes to Zay Flowers, including strikes of 50 and 64 yards. Each score put Baltimore ahead temporarily.
Pittsburgh answered every Ravens score with its own offensive fireworks. Kenneth Gainwell scored from two yards out with 3:49 remaining to reclaim the lead for Pittsburgh. The back-and-forth scoring tied for the most go-ahead touchdowns in any game this season.
Chris Boswell’s Missed Extra Point Adds Suspense
The typically reliable kicker opened the door for Baltimore’s final drive.
Boswell had been perfect on extra points all season before Sunday night. His miss after the Austin touchdown was his first failed attempt since 2023, spanning 40 consecutive successful kicks. The mistake proved crucial by leaving Pittsburgh ahead by only two points instead of three.
That single point difference meant Baltimore could win with a field goal rather than needing a touchdown. The Ravens took over with 55 seconds and three timeouts remaining, setting up Loop’s missed attempt.
Steelers Claim 25th Division Championship in Franchise History
Pittsburgh’s rich tradition of winning divisions continues under Mike Tomlin.
The victory marks the Steelers’ 25th division championship overall. That total includes 15 AFC Central titles and 10 AFC North crowns since the division realignment in 2002 that added Cleveland and Baltimore.
This represents the eighth time Pittsburgh has won the AFC North under head coach Mike Tomlin. The win also gave Tomlin his 193rd regular-season victory, tying Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll for most in Steelers history.
Lamar Jackson’s Heroics Fall Short Despite Brilliant Plays
The Ravens quarterback put his team in position to win, but couldn’t finish.
Jackson passed for 238 yards and three touchdowns despite battling a painful back contusion sustained earlier in the season. His two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Flowers were among the best throws of his career.
On fourth down with 14 seconds left and the season on the line, Jackson delivered a perfect 26-yard pass to Isaiah Likely through two defenders. The miraculous catch gave Baltimore one last shot, but Loop’s miss heartbreakingly ended their season.
Pittsburgh Faces Houston in Wild Card Playoff Game
The Steelers will host their first playoff game since losing last season.
Pittsburgh will welcome the fifth-seeded Houston Texans on Monday Night Football in the opening round. The Steelers own a 5-3 all-time record against Houston, including 3-1 at Acrisure Stadium. This will be the first postseason meeting between the franchises.
The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 AFC Championship. They will look to end that drought against a Texans team that finished the regular season 12-5. Pittsburgh hopes home-field advantage helps them advance to the divisional round.
Ravens Miss Playoffs for First Time Since 2021
Baltimore becomes the first preseason Super Bowl favorite to miss the playoffs since 2008.
The loss drops Baltimore to 8-9 on the season, marking just the third losing record in coach John Harbaugh’s 17-year tenure. The Ravens had won the AFC North the previous two seasons but collapsed down the stretch this year.
Baltimore becomes the first preseason Super Bowl favorite to miss the playoffs since the 2008 New England Patriots, when Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury. The disappointing finish will lead to major questions about the team’s future during the offseason ahead.
TL;DR
- Tyler Loop’s missed 44-yard field goal as time expired sealed Pittsburgh’s dramatic 26-24 victory over Baltimore.
- Aaron Rodgers passed for a season-high 294 yards and led the game-winning drive at age 42.
- The Steelers won their 25th division championship and first AFC North title since 2020.
- Pittsburgh will host the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round on Monday, January 12, at 8:15 PM on ESPN/ABC.
- Baltimore finishes 8-9 and misses the playoffs for the first time since 2021 after being preseason Super Bowl favorites.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
