The Pittsburgh Steelers ended their regular season in dramatic fashion against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens missed a game-winning field goal that would’ve sent them to the playoffs, allowing the Steelers to win the AFC North. However, that wasn’t only game the Ravens probably felt like they should have beaten their archrivals in 2025. Their first matchup in Week 14 saw the officials make several questionable calls. That included reversing a fourth-quarter touchdown catch by Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely.
However, NFL executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent used the Likely no-catch as an example where the league questioned whether replay review got the call right. Vincent seemed to suggest that the touchdown should’ve stood. At least that’s how Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson interpreted it.
“So technically we won?” Jackson asked Tuesday on Twitter. “10-7, 1st offseason win ever.”
Unfortunately for Jackson and the Ravens, Vincent’s words don’t change the results of that game. Baltimore was on the wrong end of a few questionable calls that day, but Likely’s play received the most attention.
Part of that was because of how big the moment was. The Ravens were trailing 27-22, and Likely’s no-catch came with just under three minutes left in the game. That could’ve been the game-winning touchdown for Baltimore, and it might’ve caused a drastic swing for both teams.
Also, it was another example of how confusing the catch rule is. Likely’s touchdown catch was overturned because he didn’t make a football move. However, the definition of a football move, especially in the end zone, is unclear. It could be argued that Likely made a football move by stretching his arms out and trying to keep the ball away from Joey Porter Jr., who ultimately punched it out.
Had the Ravens won that game, then perhaps Week 18 wouldn’t have mattered as much for either team. It’s hard to live in a world of hypotheticals in the NFL, though, with so many other variables involved.
That call was good for the Steelers, and there’s no use crying over spilled milk. For what it’s worth, Likely’s play didn’t decide the fate of the Ravens’ season. They could’ve won in Week 18 and punched their ticket to the postseason. Hopefully, the NFL clears some of the rules up in order to avoid repeating this situation.
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