When the NFL brought its inaugural Rio Game to the historic Maracanã Stadium, Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop faced a career-defining moment under intense international spotlight. On Wednesday, the league officially named the 25-year-old the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 3, acknowledging a flawless 10-point performance capped by a walk-off 56-yard field goal in Baltimore's 34-31 triumph over the Dallas Cowboys.

Seven Seconds, a 27-Yard Strike, and a 56-Yard Redemption

Before 72,792 spectators in Rio de Janeiro, the Ravens orchestrated a rapid final sequence with the game tied at 31. With seven seconds remaining on the clock, quarterback Lamar Jackson connected with wide receiver Zay Flowers on a pivotal 27-yard completion, instantly pushing Baltimore into long field goal territory with just one second left.

Trotting onto the pitch under maximum pressure, Loop drilled the 56-yard attempt dead center. The kick marked the longest field goal of his professional career and his first career game-winner. Loop celebrated the moment by executing Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic "siuuu" pose, sending the Maracanã audience into a frenzy. The dramatic finish inspired one dedicated Baltimore superfan—well known for getting a new tattoo after every Ravens victory—to commemorate the win with fresh ink depicting Christ the Redeemer kicking the game-winning field goal.

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop on the field during the NFL Rio Game.
Tyler Loop celebrated his historic performance and game-winning field goal in Rio de Janeiro.Image source: lance.com.br
Advertisement

Erasing the Heartbreak of 2025

The achievement carries deep personal significance for the second-year kicker. In Week 18 of the 2025 regular season, Loop experienced rookie heartbreak against the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers. Holding Baltimore's playoff fate on his foot in the final seconds, Loop pushed a 44-yard attempt wide, sealing a 26-24 defeat that knocked the Ravens out of postseason contention.

Standing on South American turf nine months later, Loop rewrote his narrative entirely. He posted a 100% conversion rate on the afternoon, converting both of his field goal attempts and all four extra points. His game-winning kick capped a spectacle that drew massive audiences, pulling nearly 25 million viewers in the United States and reaching 21.4 million multiplatform viewers across Brazil via Globo.

Tyler Loop kick attempts during the Ravens victory over the Cowboys at the Maracanã.
Loop's perfect kicking performance on the afternoon secured his first career AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor.Image source: flashscore.pt

Ravens Franchise History and the Full Week 3 Slate

Loop's recognition marks an important milestone within the Baltimore franchise. He is the first Ravens player to capture AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors since wide receiver and return specialist Tylan Wallace earned the award in 2023. More specifically, Loop is the first Baltimore kicker to take home the conference award since franchise legend Justin Tucker won it in 2021.

The league announced Loop alongside five other conference award winners for Week 3:

NFL Week 3 Players of the Week
ConferenceAward CategoryPlayerPositionTeam
AFCOffensiveBrock BowersTight EndLas Vegas Raiders
AFCDefensiveTalanoa HufangaSafetyDenver Broncos
AFCSpecial TeamsTyler LoopKickerBaltimore Ravens
NFCOffensiveBijan RobinsonRunning BackAtlanta Falcons
NFCDefensiveSonny StylesLinebackerWashington Commanders
NFCSpecial TeamsMyles PriceWide Receiver / ReturnerMinnesota Vikings

Sources

These sources formed the evidence pack for this article. Links open the original publisher; inclusion does not imply endorsement.

  1. ge.globo.com original
  2. lance.com.br original
  3. itatiaia.com.br original
  4. flashscore.pt original