01/04/26 10:52:00
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01/04 22:51 CST Rodgers and Steelers win AFC North, beating Ravens 26-24 after
Loop misses kick at buzzer
Rodgers and Steelers win AFC North, beating Ravens 26-24 after Loop misses kick
at buzzer
By WILL GRAVES
AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) --- Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin
Austin III with 55 seconds left, and the Steelers beat the Ravens 26-24 on
Sunday night when Baltimore's Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time
expired, giving Pittsburgh the AFC North title.
Pittsburgh (10-7) will host Houston (12-5) in the opening round of the playoffs
on Monday, Jan. 12, following an electric fourth quarter that saw four lead
changes, including three in the final four minutes.
The Ravens were poised to swing the lead back their way one last time after
Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 28-yard gain that put the
Ravens within Loop's range.
The rookie's kick never had a chance, sailing well to the right of the
goalposts as the Steelers poured onto the field to celebrate their first
division title in five years.
Rodgers passed for a season-high 294 yards and his 26-yard toss to Austin made
it 26-24. Chris Boswell missed the extra point, giving the Ravens a chance to
win with a field goal.
Jackson, dealing with a painful back contusion, passed for 238 yards and three
scores, including a pair to Zay Flowers in the fourth quarter. Each of Flowers'
TDs put Baltimore in front.
Pittsburgh responded each time, and will now welcome the Texans while looking
to end a playoff victory drought that stretches to the 2016 AFC championship
game.
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