NFL: Steeler bombs attempt at onside kick

There are howlers and then there are howlers.

And Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell knows exactly which category should house his bombed trick play against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers, by all reports, turned in an ugly performance against their AFC North rivals but gave themselves a shot at taking the game to extra-time with just 44 seconds left on the clock.

And then Boswell, who is on a $1.25m two-year contract, kicked it away.

Trailing by the one touchdown at 21-14, the Steelers needed the quickly regain the ball and lined up for an attempted onside kick.

But Boswell’s brain was clearly ahead of his feet as his Lionel Messi-inspired flick caused his legs to become entangled and sent the ball barely a centimetre down the field.

The frustrated 25-year-old had another crack but the umpires had already thrown the flags to call time on the play and the Steelers’ hopes of a last-minute victory.