Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers win epic playoff decider against the Ravens after kicker’s
Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers have secured their spot in the NFL playoffs after a thrilling 26-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.
The 42-year-old quarterback and Mike Tomlin’s team were on the brink of elimination but Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop pushed his chance at a game-winning field goal right of the posts.
Victory for the Steelers means Rodgers is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021 after a disappointing final year with the Green Bay Packers and his miserable spell with the New York Jets.
The Steelers will now take on the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round on January 12 after securing their first AFC North title in five years.
The Steelers went ahead with just 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter when Rodgers found receiver Calvin Austin with a delicious pass for a touchdown.
But Steelers kicker Chris Boswell then missed the extra point, meaning the Ravens needed just a field goal to advance to the playoffs.
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers secured their spot in the NFL playoffs after beating the Ravens
Ravens kicker Tyler Loop pushed his chance at a game-winning field goal right of the posts
It was heartbreak for Lamar Jackson, who thought he had done enough to secure the victory
Steelers receiver Calvin Austin scored the game-winning touchdown with 55 seconds left
Lamar Jackson put them in great position with time running out after an outrageous throw to Isaiah Likely for a 28-yard gain.
Jackson, dealing with a painful back contusion, had already passed for 238 yards and three scores, including a pair to Zay Flowers in the fourth quarter. Each of Flowers’ touchdowns – from 50 and 64 yards – put Baltimore in front.
But Loop made a complete mess of his game-winning field goal from 44 yards. The rookie’s kick never had a chance, sailing well to the right of the goalposts.
Pittsburgh will be looking to end a playoff victory drought that stretches to the 2016 AFC championship game when they take on the Texans, who are the NFL’s in-form team.
The win was the 193rd regular-season victory of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s career, tying him with Hall of Famer Chuck Noll for the franchise record and for ninth on the NFL’s career list.
The 40th meeting between Tomlin and Ravens coach John Harbaugh – only Hall of Famers George Halas and Curly Lambeau faced each other more – was among the most memorable.
Whether it’s also the last remains to be seen. Harbaugh faces questions about his future after a rocky 18th season.