After the Baltimore Ravens' playoff run came to an abrupt and excruciating end, three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews took a lot of the blame. Andrews failed to secure a short pass on a two-point conversion attempt from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson late in the fourth quarter.
A successful catch would have tied the hard-fought divisional round game at 27. Instead, the Ravens were forced to attempt an onside kick, which was recovered by the Buffalo Bills. A handoff and several knee downs by quarterback Josh Allen punched the Bills' ticket to the AFC Championship Game.
Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chris Sims suggested that Jackson needs to shoulder a significant portion of the blame, rather than placing the blame solely on Andrews.
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Baltimore Ravens #8 Lamar Jackson steps back to make a pass during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on January 19, 2025. Ta. (Albero/Getty Images)
“A lot of people would expect Mark Andrews to make a botched two-point conversion,” Sims said on “Up & Adams” this week, as video of the botched two-point conversion played. spoke.
Sims acknowledged that Andrews needed to “catch” the ball, but also argued that Jackson's pass “wasn't accurate.”
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“Throw it, throw it! It's too late, Lamar Jackson makes $55 million a year, that ball has to come on time and it wasn't accurate. Mark Andrews needs to catch it, don't get me wrong. But Lamar Jackson's ball wasn't accurate.''He double-clutched his $55 million annual salary and threw it like a dart. ”
NBC Sports' Chris Sims before the AFC divisional playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Sims then went on to highlight Jackson's throw during the play in question, praising Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for making the “perfect play call.”
“It was a perfect play call, so we can't be mad at Todd Monken,” Sims said. “What I'm saying is that Mark Andrews, who attended the meeting today with Baltimore, will receive a demotion negative rating, but also if Lamar Jackson meets with the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, he This means that he will receive a negative evaluation by deducting points.'' This throw was slow. He didn't throw as hard as he usually does, but he threw as hard as he could for a wide-open touchdown. ”
Mark Andrews, No. 89 of the Baltimore Ravens, drops a pass on a two-point conversion during the second half of the NFL Football District Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on January 19, 2025. (Kevin Savitas/Getty Images)
Jackson finished the 27-25 loss with one interception and two touchdown passes. The Ravens also lost two fumbles, one of which was charged by Jackson. Andrews also fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter.
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After the game, Jackson pushed back against the idea that Andrews was to blame for the loss. “We're a team,” said the two-time NFL MVP quarterback. “It's not his fault. I'm not going to pin that on Mark.”
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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.