Baltimore Ravens 2025 season ended with a 44-yard missed field goal by rookie Tyler Loop.

The Ravens needed to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 to win the AFC North, and qualify for the playoffs. They still had a chance to make the playoffs, despite not looking like a playoff-caliber team for most of the year. Even if they didn’t win the Lombardi Trophy, getting in the dance would give them a chance to.

The Ravens, just as they’ve done all year, did not look like a team that was ready to run for the Super Bowl. The offense scored 10 points at the start of the second half and didn’t score again until the middle of the fourth. The defense was able to hold on in the first quarter before conceding 24 points in second. The unit that won the game was the complementary football.

Both players left the game to be evaluated for a concussion. The Steelers scored their first touchdown during this time. The Steelers’ first touchdown was scored during the time that both players were being evaluated for concussions. Only Gilman returned to the game. Baltimore’s defense was strong at first. They held Pittsburgh to just a field-goal after T.J. Watt made a freak interception, and forced a punt during their next possession. Both times that the Ravens had the lead in fourth quarter, the Steelers took it back.

Hamilton’s absence on these drives was palpable, as was Baltimore’s complete and total lack of pass rush. Aaron Rodgers lost only four yards in two sacks, but he was left to play the entire game from the pocket. He initially used this time to target running backs and catch-and runs underneath. But once Hamilton left, Rodgers took control of the middle field. The Ravens’ defenders were unable to make any plays.

Lamar Jackson nearly made no difference. After a shaky first three quarters he donned the cape and made three big plays to keep the Ravens in it. In the first play, he performed a disappearing act to avoid a certain sack. He then dropped a perfectly thrown ball to Zay Flower for a 50 yard touchdown. The Ravens now led 17-13. The Steelers then drove back up the field, making it 20-17. Part 2 was a fake throw that left Flowers open for a 50-yard touchdown and a lead of 24-20 with 3:49 remaining. Jackson scored again when Baltimore’s defence collapsed, this time less than one minute before the end.

Keaton’s Mitchell returned the kickoff to the Ravens after Steelers kicker Chris Boswell missed the extra point. The Ravens had three timeouts left and 55 seconds. It was possible to get within range of the game-winning field goals. As always, however, the Ravens made it difficult for themselves. Jackson reached for his magic bag to save them from a 4th and 7 near midfield. As the pass rush closed in, he stepped forward and lofted a ball where only Isaiah Likely was able to catch it. Likely kept his promise with a spectacular catch to set up the Ravens for a field goal of 41 yards. Baltimore chose to lose the ball by a short distance to the center – an option that could draw scrutiny this week. Instead, Loop was given a 44 yard attempt to win the match.

The rest of the team was stunned as the rookie kicked his ball wide to the right.

The shock was obvious in the press conference immediately following the game. The frustration was also evident. Jackson hurled a water-bottle into the wall while jogging to the locker room. ( via The Baltimore Sun ) He then highlighted on social media a possible missed penalty call by the Steelers for Loop’s missed goal.

Jackson’s anger is understandable, particularly since the NFL has admitted that a terrible leverage call cost the Ravens the first matchup against the Steelers. Jackson said he was “devastated,” “furious” in his postgame press conference. Who can blame him? The Ravens and him have failed to win the Super Bowl for the seventh consecutive season despite his superhuman efforts. He had promised Baltimore an ring eight years earlier. He tried his best to win Sunday night but it was not to be.

Loop is sure to draw a lot of criticism in the days ahead (and some unwarranted vitriol), but he’s not alone at fault. This loss represents the 2025 Ravens in general: a talented squad plagued by injuries who can’t get out of their way. This could be a good description of the last few seasons in Baltimore. It should raise some uncomfortable issues this offseason. John Harbaugh’s coaching staff and he oversaw regression from both sides with some, shall we call them, strange decisions made throughout the season. Both sides of the Ravens’ roster were clearly lacking trenches heading into the season, which was a constant factor in their losses. The problems aren’t new either.

Then there is Jackson. It was speculation that his future in Baltimore would be a topic of conversation during the offseason. Another round of contract talks is expected. This loss will fuel the frenzy. In the days to come, Harbaugh will face questions about his job security.

In their press conferences, neither Harbaugh or Jackson made any remarks about the future. Baltimore was as stunned as they were.