The Baltimore Ravens could have been victims of a supernatural sliced kick because of the assistance of a Catholic priest at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Soccer followers noticed the Pittsburgh Steelers safe a spot within the NFL playoffs when Tyler Loop of the Ravens missed what would have been a game-winning discipline purpose as time expired throughout their Sunday, January 4, match up. However what if Loop’s miss and the Steelers’ 26-24 win was decided hours earlier than the gamers even stepped on to the sphere?
After the sport, video surfaced on-line of a priest blessing the Acrisure Stadium finish zone with holy water earlier that night. It was the identical finish zone the place Loop’s try sailed extensive proper.
The Steelers wanted all the assistance they may get, each mortal and divine. The competition was the de facto AFC North championship sport, and had Baltimore received, they’d have been headed to the playoffs as division champions over Pittsburgh.
NBC confirmed the video of the blessing after the sport as the clip started making its rounds on the Web.
“So it is not Tyler Loop’s fault.” pic.twitter.com/uLkxukbFN2
— Terrible Asserting (@awfulannouncing) January 5, 2026
“The Catholic neighborhood in Pittsburgh is basically sturdy, and its ties to the Steelers are in all places,” broadcaster Mike Tirico mentioned. “And down at that finish zone, Tyler Loop misses the sphere purpose and permits the Steelers to win.”
Loop, 24, spoke to the media after the sport the place he had a extra technical clarification for his miss.
“Operation was nice,” he mentioned. “It was a fantastic scenario, precisely what we needed. Sadly I simply mishit the ball. We name it hitting it skinny. It spins quick and it goes off to the suitable. That was it.”
He added, “I received again there and appeared on the play clock. I noticed 22 seconds. Took my steps. Took over. Visualized what the ball appears to be like like when it’s held down. Jordan (Stout) picked up his fingers, and that was my cue to go. Noticed the ball, tried to visualise the ball going by the uprights the place I would like it. Swung. The outcome didn’t match my course of.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was far more blunt, telling reporters, “You know the way it’s. If my aunt had male elements, she’d be my uncle.”
Tomlin, 53, added that whereas the crew would have fun successful the division, they’ve greater issues in thoughts headed into the playoffs.
“We’re AFC North champions,” he mentioned. “That sounds good, and it feels good. However we didn’t come right here for that. We’re right here for what lies forward.”
As for Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who signed a one-year take care of Pittsburgh within the offseason and could possibly be taking part in his remaining NFL season, he was capable of replicate on the crew’s rocky 10-7 season with a smile.
“We haven’t made it straightforward on ourselves, actually all season, I suppose,” Rodgers, 42, mentioned, per ESPN. “However I’m happy with our guys. I’m happy with the way in which that we responded a number of occasions after they took a lead. It simply takes a bit perception at this level within the season.”
The Steelers will start their playoff run towards the Houston Texans at house on Monday, January 12.
