Drama in Pittsburgh. Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a do-or-die game for the last playoff spot in the NFL, decided in an agonizing and almost surreal ending for both teams.
The Steelers (10-7) were proclaimed champions of the North division of the American Conference and reached the finals as fourth in the AFC. Next week they will host the Houston Texans (12-5) in the first round of the playoffs.
Final mistake sentences Baltimore
Baltimore (8-9) was left out of the NFL finals for the first time since the 2021 season in yet another heartbreaking denouement for Lamar Jackson and company.
Steelers and Ravens played a frantic last quarter, in which both went from qualified to eliminated at times.
There were three touchdowns in the last four minutes of the game, but the real drama came from the kickers.
The Steelers took a 26-24 lead with 55 seconds left on a Calvin Austin touchdown.
But Chris Boswell missed the extra point, leaving the door open for the Ravens to win with a simple field goal.
The Ravens had it, and in those few seconds they were able to get their offense to Pittsburgh’s 26-yard line, an ideal distance for a kicker.
It was going to be the last play of the NFL regular season and it could make Tyler Loop the hero in Baltimore.
But the rookie succumbed to the pressure and sent his 44-yard attempt wide. Nobody could believe it.
Rodgers vs. Jackson
The Steelers and Ravens played an insipid first three quarters, which ended 13-10 to Pittsburgh.
The Ravens took a 0-10 lead on a Devontez Walker touchdown and a Loop field goal in the first quarter.
But in the second and third they were left without scoring, without ideas, without plays and with Derrick Henry as the only resource.
Connor Heyward scored the Steelers’ touchdown, which along with two field goals by Bowsell made it 13-10 with 12 minutes remaining.
Jackson shines, but Rodgers has final say
Drama in Pittsburgh
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In the fourth quarter, Jackson was once again the NFL’s two-time MVP quarterback.
He connected on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Zay Flowers to put Baltimore ahead.
The Steelers responded with a Kenneth Gainwell touchdown run from the red zone that put them back on top 20-17.
But Jackson and Flowers did it again.
The quarterback connected on a 24-yard pass to his receiver, who ran another 40 yards for a touchdown.
The series consisted of three plays and 73 yards in 1 minute and 29 seconds.
There was 2:20 left and the Steelers had exhausted their timeouts.
But in just 1 minute and 25 seconds, Rodgers captained a lightning-quick offense and connected with Austin for the 26-24 lead, setting up perhaps the most dramatic 55 seconds of the season.
From the sidelines, the 42-year-old Rodgers went from contemplating the possible end of his career to seeing himself with at least one more game.
Rodgers finished 31-of-47 passing for 294 yards, one of which was a touchdown.
Jackson, meanwhile, connected 11 of 18 for 238 yards.
Three of those passes ended in touchdowns. Although he also suffered an interception that cost the Ravens a field goal.
With information from EFE
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