Overview
- Rookie Tyler Loop’s 44-yard field goal sailed wide right as time expired, dropping Baltimore to 8-9 and ending its playoff run for the first time since 2021.
- Aaron Rodgers hit Calvin Austin III for a 26-yard go-ahead touchdown with 55 seconds left, and Pittsburgh advanced as division champions to host the Texans on wild-card weekend.
- Loop told reporters he “mishit the ball,” describing a “thin” strike, as John Harbaugh and teammates publicly consoled the rookie on the field and in the tunnel.
- Jackson threw three touchdowns and converted a 4th-and-7 lob to Isaiah Likely to set up the try, but injuries, including to safety Kyle Hamilton, preceded Pittsburgh scoring on four of five second-half drives.
- Baltimore’s endgame approach drew scrutiny, with former QB Kurt Benkert criticizing the decision to kneel with a timeout rather than run another play before the kick.