It happened again. Just when you thought the Baltimore Ravens were about to pull off one of the greatest mid-season turnarounds in recent NFL history, the wheels came off in the most "Baltimore" way possible.
The final baltimore ravens football score from that frigid January night at Acrisure Stadium—26-24 in favor of the Pittsburgh Steelers—doesn't just tell the story of a lost game. It tells the story of a lost era.
The Kick That Changed Everything
Honestly, if you were watching the Week 18 regular-season finale on January 4, 2026, you probably felt the ghost of Justin Tucker haunting the sideline. Seeing rookie Tyler Loop line up for a 44-yarder as time expired felt like a sure thing. Loop had been money all year. He was 7-for-7 from that range heading into the night.
Then, he pushed it right.
Game over. Season over. Playoff dreams? Evaporated.
The stadium was deafening as Aaron Rodgers—who somehow looked 25 again in a Steelers jersey—celebrated. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson stood on the 30-yard line, hands on his hips, staring at the turf. It was a brutal end to an 8-9 season that started with a dismal 1-5 record.
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Why the Ravens Couldn't Close the Gap
We’ve got to talk about that fourth quarter. It was basically a rollercoaster. Lamar was playing like a man possessed, connecting with Zay Flowers for two massive touchdowns that gave the Ravens a lead with just minutes left. Flowers was the bright spot, finishing with 138 yards on just four catches. He's elite. There’s no other way to put it.
But then the defense buckled.
You can’t give Aaron Rodgers 55 seconds and a chance to win the AFC North. He sliced through the secondary, hitting Calvin Austin III for a 26-yard strike that put Pittsburgh ahead. Even after a missed extra point gave Baltimore a glimmer of hope, it just wasn't meant to be.
Baltimore Ravens Football Score: Breaking Down the 2025 Numbers
People keep asking: "How did a team this talented miss the dance?"
The stats from the 2025 season are kinda weird. On paper, Baltimore was a top-10 rushing team, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Derrick Henry still has some gas in the tank, racking up 126 yards in that final game alone. But the consistency? It was non-existent.
| Metric | 2025 Season Totals |
|---|---|
| Final Record | 8-9 (Missed Playoffs) |
| Total Offensive Yards | 5,647 |
| Rushing Yards | 2,662 (Ranked 2nd in NFL) |
| Turnover Ratio | -3 |
The real killer was the turnover ratio. You can't be minus-three and expect to win the AFC North.
Lamar Jackson finished the year with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games. Those aren't "bad" numbers, but for a two-time MVP, it felt like he was playing with one hand tied behind his back. Between his own injuries and the revolving door on the offensive line, the baltimore ravens football score became a reflection of survival rather than dominance.
The Harbaugh Era Ends
The biggest shocker wasn't the score itself, but what happened 24 hours later. After 18 seasons, Steve Bisciotti made the call. John Harbaugh is out.
It feels surreal. Harbaugh brought a Super Bowl to Baltimore. He won 180 games. But missing the playoffs in back-to-back years—and that 1-5 start this season—was the final straw. The locker room needed a new voice, and the organization is now looking for someone who can maximize what’s left of Lamar’s prime.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ravens' Defense
There's a misconception that the defense was the problem. Not really.
Kyle Hamilton is still the best safety in football. He made First-Team All-Pro for a reason. The issue was "clutch time" defense. Zach Orr’s unit was great for three quarters, but they surrendered too many late-game leads. Look at the Week 18 game. They held Pittsburgh to 10 points through three quarters. Then, they gave up 13 in the fourth.
That’s a coaching and execution gap, not a talent gap.
The Special Teams Vacuum
We also have to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Justin Tucker.
The Ravens released him in May 2025 following off-field allegations, and the special teams unit never recovered. Tyler Loop did a decent job for a rookie, but in the NFL, "decent" isn't enough when you're playing for your life in Pittsburgh. That 44-yard miss would have been a chip shot for Tucker in his prime.
Looking Toward the 2026 Offseason
So, where do we go from here?
The baltimore ravens football score from the finale has left a bitter taste, but the cupboards aren't bare. This team is still loaded with young talent like Nate Wiggins and Malaki Starks.
- Find a New HC: The search is on. Names like Ben Johnson or even a return to a defensive-minded leader are floating around.
- Protect Lamar: The offensive line needs a complete overhaul. Lamar was sacked way too much in 2025.
- Weaponize the Draft: With the 2026 draft approaching, Baltimore needs a true #2 receiver to take the pressure off Flowers.
Honestly, the Ravens are in a "retool," not a "rebuild." If they can get the right coach in the building and fix the late-game defensive collapses, they’ll be back in the AFC North conversation by next September.
The 26-24 loss to the Steelers was a wake-up call. It was the end of an era, but for a franchise as proud as the Ravens, it might just be the spark they need to get back to the Super Bowl.
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Actionable Insights for Ravens Fans:
- Watch the Coaching Search: The next three weeks are more important than the last four months. Whoever is hired will dictate the next five years of Lamar Jackson’s career.
- Cap Space Management: Keep an eye on the offensive line market. If the Ravens don't sign a veteran tackle early in free agency, expect them to target one in the first round of the draft.
- Monitor Rookie Progress: Tyler Loop had a rough ending, but he showed promise. Don't be surprised if the team brings in veteran competition for him during training camp to see if he can handle the pressure.