January 5, 2026, 9:12am EST 24K+ • By Darrelle Lincoln

The Pittsburgh Steelers escaped not getting a penalty during Week 18.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to the playoffs. However, it appears that they should be at home, and the Ravens could be moving on.

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Baltimore’s rookie kicker, Tyler Loop, missed a potential game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired.

In a game where fans thought the contest was already rigged, one final missed call sealed the fate of the Ravens. Pittsburgh might have gotten a break from the officials, and Tyler Loop should’ve gotten a second chance.

The Pittsburgh Steelers sent the house to try to block Loop’s 44-yard field goal attempt. That included sending wide receiver Ben Skowronek through the A gap. Skowronek tried to jump over left guard Emery Jones. He is not allowed to do that. However, he is not allowed to push off the back of a teammate to do so.

WAS THIS A MISSED PENALTY FLAG?

Baltimore #Ravens fans believe that the #NFL refs missed a leverage penalty on the #Steelers on the final play of the game.

A leverage flag would have been a 15 yard penalty & Baltimore would’ve been able to try again.

🤯pic.twitter.com/l26jHti8DZ

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) January 5, 2026

When Skowronek jumped, he put his right hand on the back of Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward. A flag should’ve been thrown, and the Ravens should’ve had a second shot.

Lamar Jackson Was Not Thrilled With The Pittsburgh Steelers Getting Away With A Missed Penalty

Lamar Jackson (Image Credits: Imagn)
Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson couldn’t believe his eyes. Tyler Loop missed a field-goal attempt as time expired in Sunday night’s 26-24 defeat.

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Ben Skowronek did everything he could to try to block it. That included placing his hand on teammate Cam Heyward as he elevated and tried to block the field goal. That is not allowed. Leverage falls under the “unsportsmanlike conduct” designation within the NFL’s rulebook.

Jackson saw the screenshot of that play after the contest. “Smfh,” Jackson wrote on social media in response.

Loop’s 44-yard effort handed the Steelers the AFC North title and the final playoff berth. The Ravens, who fought back from a 1-5 record, are headed to Cancun.