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Given that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin kept his job and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh lost his, placekicker Tyler Loop’s missed field goal during the matchup between the two teams in Week 18 is now looking like one of the most consequential kicks in NFL history.
Not only did rookie kicker Tyler Loop’s game-ending missed field goal send the Steelers to the postseason as AFC North champions and the Ravens home as losers, but it also very likely saved the job of Mike Tomlin, while simultaneously costing John Harbaugh his with the Baltimore Ravens.
On Tuesday, after 18 seasons, four AFC championship game appearances and a Super Bowl title in 2012, the Baltimore Ravens parted ways with Harbaugh, who is expected to be one of the most sought-after candidates this offseason. Harbaugh posted a win/loss record of 180-113 during his time in Baltimore and made the playoffs in 12 of his 18 seasons.
Meanwhile, Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a Monday Night Football Wild Card round game against the Houston Texans.
Tyler Loop’s missed field goal against the Steelers is one of the most consequential kicks in NFL history as it saved one coach his job but cost another’s
Between a playoff spot either way, and likely the loser coach getting fired, this might genuinely have been the most consequential kick in NFL history.
Like, it’s up there with Scott Norwood for what was riding on it overall. https://t.co/crZA5Zfbn7
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) January 6, 2026
According to initial reports, Harbaugh is expected to be the front runner for the New York Giants’ head coaching vacancy, which opened up after the team fired Brian Daboll during the season.
On the other side of Loop’s missed kick are the Pittsburgh Steelers, who enter Monday night’s Wild Card Round matchup against the Houston Texans as 3-point underdogs.