Ravens kicker Tyler Loop explains missed field goal that eliminated team from playoffs: 'I just mishit the ball'

With two seconds left on the clock, the Baltimore Ravens put their season in a rookie's hands. Kicker Tyler Loop trotted out to the field looking to send his team to the postseason with a 44-yard field goal.

His kick missed, sailing to the right of the goal posts, ending the Ravens' season and sending the Pittsburgh Steelers to the playoffs. As Steelers players erupted in celebration on the field and sideline, Loop grabbed his face mask and slumped over, visibly shaken by the miss.

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Despite failing in the biggest moment of his career, Loop met with reporters and took questions after the game. He took responsibility for the miss, saying he simply "mishit the ball."

Loop took questions for over seven minutes before the interview ended.

The 24-year-old rookie experienced moments of brilliance after the team selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Prior to Week 18, Loop was perfect on every field goal attempt from 0-49 yards during the regular season. His three misses had come from 50+ yards. That changed in the closing seconds of Sunday's game.

Overall, it was an encouraging rookie season for a player who was replacing a Ravens legend. Loop was brought in after the team cut ties with longtime kicker Justin Tucker, who served a 10-game suspension this season after being accused of sexual misconduct.

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Prior to Week 18, that looked to be a wise decision, as Loop generally performed well during the regular season. Despite his high-profile miss Sunday, Loop should return as the Ravens' starter next season.

While he doesn't have a say in that decision, it probably helps that Ravens players had Loop's back after the missed kick. Multiple players consoled Loop on the field and as he was walking to the tunnel after the game.

Lamar Jackson took some responsibility off Loop as well, saying he's just a "rookie" and will need to "leave [the miss] in the past."

With the Ravens out of the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the team will look to regroup ahead of the 2026 NFL season. After his miss Sunday, Loop might have more motivation than any player on the Ravens to get back out on the field.