Ravens Kicker Missing Field Goal With Playoff Spot on the Line Triggers Wild Reactions on Social Media – “Somewhere Justin Tucker Is Smiling”

Tyler Loop, the kicker who replaced Justin Tucker, missed a season defining field goal against the Steelers in week 18.

Ravens Kicker Missing Field Goal With Playoff Spot on the Line Triggers Wild Reactions on Social Media – “Somewhere Justin Tucker Is Smiling”

Justin Tucker's replacement, Tyler Loop, misses a field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Tyler Loop missed a golden chance to join Justin Tucker among the select few kickers to represent the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs. With the season on the line, Loop shanked a 44-yard field goal.

The Ravens had to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 to hold onto the AFC North crown and sneak into the AFC wildcard spots. The Steelers took a late lead when Aaron Rodgers connected with Calvin Austin for a 26-yard touchdown pass.

Lamar Jackson, who was doubtful to start, led a six-play drive to set up a field goal try and win the game for the Ravens. Loop, who had made 30 field goals and boasted a more than 85% conversion rate, hit the ball wide right of the goalpost. The Ravens lost the game 26-24 and failed to qualify for the playoffs for only the second time since Jackson became the starter.

Fans claimed Justin Tucker would have converted the field goal if he were in Tyler Loop’s position

If the fans can get past that and focus on Loop’s stats, it’s clear that the rookie from Arizona can kick the ball. He converted every kick within 39 yards (21 total) and missed only once within 49 yards (8 of 9 tries). However, he struggled with kicks from distances of 50 yards or more, making only 4 out of 5 tries. In 17 appearances, he made 30 out of 34 field goals (88.2%). As for extra points, Loop went 44 of 46 (95.7%).

Ravens Kicker Missing Field Goal With Playoff Spot on the Line Triggers Wild Reactions on Social Media - "Somewhere Justin Tucker Is Smiling"
Arizona Wildcats kicker Tyler Loop at the 2025 NFL combine (Image via IMAGO)

The NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” league. No matter how the season went, fans and critics will always judge a player based on their most recent contribution in a game.

Justin Tucker was part of the Ravens’ last Super Bowl-winning team. He’s considered one of the best kickers ever to step foot on the gridiron. Then again, he regressed near the latter part of his career. In 2024, he made just 22 field goals from 30 attempts (73.3%) and was cut by the Ravens after the season.

Some fans even cited divine intervention as the reason behind Loop’s miss. A priest had apparently blessed the endzone with holy-water prior to kickoff. Coincidentally, it was the same end where Loop later missed the field goal.

Loop’s misery overshadowed Chris Boswell‘s poor performance as well. Boswell, who scored every single extra point before Sunday’s game, missed the PAT try after Austin’s touchdown, helping the Ravens stay in the game. Otherwise, the Ravens needed to score a touchdown to force overtime.

Sure, Tucker had a down year, but that wasn’t the only reason the Ravens brought the hammer down on him. Behind the scenes, Tucker battled s**ual assault allegation charges brought forward by multiple massage parlor employees. For that reason, the Ravens drafted 186th overall in 2025.

Tucker has yet to announce his retirement. And there were rumors that he could sign for a team midway through the season, but he never did.

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