Ravens vs. Steelers: A Season Concluded
The Ravens faced off against the Steelers in a gripping finale to the NFL’s 2025 regular season, and it looked like Baltimore was on the brink of sealing the deal. But then, rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a crucial game-winning field goal to the right just as time ran out.
Loop’s miss from 44 yards dramatically shifted the landscape of the playoffs. The Ravens, who had hoped to advance, found themselves out of the running, paving the way for the newly-crowned AFC North champion Steelers. This loss might have repercussions that extend beyond just this postseason.
This moment could serve as a significant turning point for the Ravens.
As they headed into Week 18, there was ongoing speculation regarding their future, despite still being in playoff contention. Officially, there hadn’t been any hints that head coach John Harbaugh or general manager Eric DeCosta were under pressure. However, this loss to Pittsburgh might change everything.
To his credit, Harbaugh had his team prepared for a tough battle. The Ravens responded to every challenge the Steelers threw at them, remaining competitive right up until the last moments, even trailing 26-24 with just 55 seconds left on the clock.
Maybe it was perhaps their inability to capitalize that stemmed from some questionable clock management and field positioning decisions on Harbaugh’s part.
After the game, Harbaugh expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s disappointing. I thought our players fought hard. We were so close to winning against North Korea, but we didn’t get the chance. What’s done is done. We had our shot, and it slipped away. We’re disappointed, but we’ll move on.”
What lies ahead is still uncertain. When pressed after the game about his desire to return, Harbaugh was succinct.
“Yes,” he replied. “I love these people.”
Harbaugh has been with the Ravens since 2008 and has earned a reputation as one of the league’s top coaches. Under his leadership, the Ravens have made the playoffs 12 times, winning six of those appearances, and they claimed the Super Bowl title in 2012.
However, recent years have not been as kind to the franchise. While he has taken them to the playoffs six times in the last eight seasons, they haven’t reached the Super Bowl since their championship win over a decade ago. This latest season ended with several disappointments and could signal a need for change—one that might affect various roles within the organization.
If Harbaugh is let go, it’s likely that Eric DeCosta, the general manager, could find himself in a precarious position as well. Even quarterback Lamar Jackson, who won the NFL MVP award twice, might not be safe. With trade value potentially outweighing his presence on the team as he approaches his 29th birthday—having played only one full season in eight—questions arise about his future.
Ultimately, everything comes back to the first and most significant factor. John Harbaugh is a Hall of Fame-caliber coach, and a rookie kicker’s mistake on a Sunday night might have just sealed his fate.
