In a crushing end to their playoff hopes, the Baltimore Ravens fell just short against the Buffalo Bills in a 27-25 divisional round loss on Sunday. Despite the heartbreak, Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson refused to let the defeat fracture the team’s ironclad bond, particularly when it came to a costly dropped pass by normally reliable tight end Mark Andrews on a late two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game.
The reigning league MVP was visibly frustrated in his post-game press conference, but rather than single out Andrews, Jackson pointed the finger squarely at the Ravens’ uncharacteristic three turnovers as the culprit behind the loss. “Every time we in situations like this, turnovers play a factor,” Jackson fumed, slamming his hand for emphasis. “We can’t have that s— and that’s why we lost the game. As you can see, we’re moving the ball wonderfully … it’s hold onto the f—— ball.”
A Rare Misstep by Andrews
The typically sure-handed Andrews, who hadn’t registered a dropped pass since Week 6, let Jackson’s bullet pass on the pivotal two-point try slip through his grasp in the end zone with just over a minute and a half remaining. The stunning miscue sealed the Ravens’ fate, but head coach John Harbaugh echoed his quarterback’s unwavering support for the dejected tight end after the game.
“There’s nobody that has more heart and cares more and fights more than Mark. We wouldn’t be here without Mark Andrews. Destiny is a decision that you make and how you handle what comes in your life. Mark will handle it fantastic.”
– John Harbaugh on Mark Andrews’ critical drop
Andrews, who also had an uncharacteristic fumble earlier in the fourth quarter, did not speak to reporters following the loss. His teammates, however, were quick to rally to his defense. Rookie safety Kyle Hamilton dismissed any notion of the team turning on one of its most consistent performers, asserting that “one play doesn’t define anybody.”
Jackson’s Shaky Start
While Andrews’ error may have been the most glaring, Jackson took responsibility for his own shaky start that put the Ravens in an early hole. The dual-threat quarterback, who threw a miniscule four interceptions all season, was picked off on Baltimore’s second drive before coughing up a fumble on the very next possession while trying to evade the Bills’ relentless pass rush.
It was an uneven outing for Jackson, who still managed to will the Ravens back into contention with some late-game heroics. He connected with rookie tight end Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown strike to pull Baltimore within a deuce before the fateful two-point attempt. “I’m just as hurt as Mark,” Jackson said of the failed conversion. “It [doesn’t] always go our way. We want it to, but at the moment in time, it’s not going our way.”
Staying the Course
The devastating loss prolongs Jackson’s wait for his first trip to the AFC Championship Game and a shot at a long-elusive Super Bowl title. In his seventh season as the Ravens’ starting signal-caller, the electrifying playmaker has yet to string together consecutive postseason victories.
But rather than hang his head, Jackson struck a determined tone, hungry to capitalize on the Ravens’ championship window. “I have to get over this, because we’re right there. I’m tired of being right there, we need to punch it in. We need to punch in that ticket. We have to get right in the offseason.”
With the sting of this crushing defeat still fresh, the Ravens will now turn their focus to regrouping for the 2025 campaign. Armed with a superstar quarterback in his prime, a roster oozing with young talent, and a culture of accountability, Baltimore has all the ingredients to make another spirited run next season. The only question is whether they can finally get over the hump and secure that elusive Super Bowl berth with Jackson at the helm.
