Mark Andrews has remained distant since his dropped 2-point conversion in the Ravens’ loss to the Buffalo Bills. After the game, he left the locker room without speaking to the media, and he was absent the following day when reporters were allowed in. The mood was understandably downbeat after the Ravens’ playoff exit following a season of impressive offensive play.
Fullback Patrick Ricard shared his frustration, saying Monday, “Best offense I’ve ever been a part of. I got to play with the best running back in football, best quarterback in football. So there’s a lot to hang my hat on, but at the end of the day I want a Super Bowl, and I want Baltimore to have another Super Bowl.”
However, despite their offensive achievements, the Ravens (13-6) fell short. They had the No. 3 seed, which led to a second-round playoff game at Buffalo.
The Ravens outgained the Bills 416-273 and never had to punt, but turnovers were their downfall. Lamar Jackson, who is in the running for his third MVP, threw an interception and lost a fumble in the first half, giving Buffalo a 21-10 lead. After a strong second-half comeback by Jackson, Andrews’ night took a turn for the worse.
He lost a fumble in the fourth quarter and dropped a catchable pass on a 2-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game with 1:33 left.
Ricard said of Andrews, “Mark’s a complete competitor. He’ll be fine. He’s going to be hurting for a while, but he’s going to continue to do great things.”
The Ravens have faced difficult losses over the past two seasons that seemed avoidable. When Jackson has been healthy, the team has hardly looked outmatched, and they haven’t lost by more than seven points since 2021.
While some issues like penalties and missed field goals cropped up, the Ravens were hurt in the Buffalo game by turnovers, a rarity for the team. Baltimore had the third-fewest turnovers in the league during the regular season, but they gave the ball away three times against the Bills. They also failed to capitalize on a first-and-goal from the 2-yard line in the second quarter, settling for a field goal.
Andrews had only lost one fumble in his career before the game, and Jackson had thrown only four interceptions during the season, but both players struggled to hold onto the ball on Sunday.
These uncharacteristic mistakes have become frustratingly familiar for the Ravens, with similar blunders haunting previous playoff runs, such as Zay Flowers’ fumble against Kansas City and Tyler Huntley’s fumble against Cincinnati.
Despite the turnover issues, the Ravens’ offense was still highly productive. The Bills had difficulty stopping Baltimore, allowing 7.3 yards per play. The Ravens finished the regular season averaging 6.85 yards per play, which was the second-best in NFL history. They also set an NFL record with 5.76 yards per rushing attempt.
However, Buffalo did a decent job containing Baltimore’s running game, limiting the Ravens to 176 yards on 30 carries. Derrick Henry had an impressive first season with the Ravens, and they have the option to keep him for another year.
Looking ahead to the offseason, changes may not be as drastic as last year. The Ravens had a busy offseason in 2024, signing Henry, losing defensive players like Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney, and making adjustments to the offensive line. Free agency could bring more changes, especially to the offensive line.
Ricard, a pending free agent, expressed his desire to stay in Baltimore, especially with Jackson leading the team. “It’s inevitable. He’s going to win a Super Bowl, and I want to be a part of it,” Ricard said. “I know everyone says championships are the standard. He’ll get it one day.”
With changes expected, the Ravens may also face a shift in coaching. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has already been considered for several head coach positions, adding to the uncertainty of the team’s direction. Despite this, rookie Zay Flowers said, “I wish the whole group would come back. These are my guys, so why not take another crack?”
