The final game of the NFL regular season was an instant classic that ended in elation for the Steelers and absolute heartbreak for the Ravens.
After a back-and-forth battle in the fourth quarter, the Steelers took a 26–24 lead with less than a minute to play when Aaron Rodgers connected with Calvin Austin for a 26-yard score. But when kicker Chris Boswell missed the ensuing extra point, the mood was tense as the Ravens had a chance to drive down the field and win the game with a kick of their own.
Baltimore did just that, riding a huge kick return from Keaton Mitchell and an unreal fourth-down catch from Isaiah Likely to set up a potential game-winning field goal for rookie kicker Tyler Loop from 44 yards out.
The operation looked good, but Loop pushed his kick wide right. Steelers win, Ravens go home.
WIDE RIGHT! STEELERS TAKE THE DIVISION! pic.twitter.com/4GOByZpx98
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 5, 2026
It was a brutal way for any season to end, but must have been especially tough for Loop, who had the difficult job of stepping in to replace Justin Tucker, one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. The rookie had a chance to make himself an instant legend in the eyes of Baltimore fans, but instead, he delivered a miss that is going to sting for quite some time.
But coach John Harbaugh was there for his player, even in what must have been a very difficult moment. Cameras caught Harbaugh comforting Loop as the two walked back into the locker room after the game.
John Harbaugh and rookie kicker Tyler Loop following Ravens’ season-ending loss in Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/5C468Tw6HE
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) January 5, 2026
Harbaugh is the second longest tenured coach in the NFL, having been with the Ravens since 2008. He’s obviously great at the X’s and O’s, but it’s moments like this that show he’s a great coach for his players even after the final whistle.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as John Harbaugh Comforted Ravens’ Kicker Tyler Loop After Heartbreaking Miss vs. Steelers.
