Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews received the lion’s share of the blame after the Baltimore Ravens’ abrupt and excruciating playoff run. Andrews failed to get a short pass from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on a two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter.
A completed catch would have tied the hard-fought divisional round game at 27. The Ravens were instead forced to attempt an onside kick, which was recovered by the Buffalo Bills. A handoff and some kneeling by quarterback Josh Allen punched the Bills’ ticket to the AFC Championship Game.
Rather than pointing the finger solely at Andrews, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chris Simms suggested Jackson should shoulder a significant portion of the blame.
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Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoffs at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“A lot of people are going to go after Mark Andrews for the abandoned two-point conversion,” Simms said this week during an appearance on “Up & Adams,” as video of the botched two-point call was released. broadcast.
While Simms admitted that Andrews had to “catch” the ball, he also maintained that Jackson’s pass was “not precise.”
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“Throw it, throw it! It’s too late, Lamar Jackson makes $55 million a year, that ball has to be on time, and he wasn’t accurate. Mark Andrews has to catch it, don’t you Don’t get me wrong, but Lamar Jackson’s ball making $55 million a year, he grabbed it twice and threw it like a dart.
NBC Sports Chris Simms before an AFC divisional playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Kansas City Chiefs on January 21, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Simms then praised Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for making the “perfect play,” while continuing to point out Jackson’s throw during the play in question.
“It was the perfect play. So we can’t get mad at Todd Monken,” Simms said. “What I’m saying is that Mark Andrews in today’s meeting with Baltimore is going to get a negative grade for the drop, but also, in Lamar Jackson’s meeting with his quarterback coach and the offensive coordinator, he’s going to get a negative grade for that throw It was late He didn’t throw it with the same authority he usually throws it, and then he threw it behind him as hard as he could for a. hit wide open.
Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens drops a pass on a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Jackson finished the 27-25 loss with two touchdown passes to one interception. The Ravens also lost two fumbles, one of which was blamed on Jackson. Andrews also fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter.
After the match, Jackson objected to the notion that Andrews was responsible for the loss. “We’re a team,” the two-time NFL MVP quarterback said. “It’s not his fault. We’re not going to blame this on Mark.”
