The Baltimore Ravens came tantalizingly close to a comeback victory in the AFC Divisional Round, but a late-game mishap dashed their hopes for a second consecutive trip to the championship game. In a nail-biting 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills, a critical missed opportunity by tight end Mark Andrews proved decisive, as his failure to secure a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson on a potential game-tying two-point conversion left the Ravens with more questions than answers.
With just 1:33 remaining in the game, Jackson’s pass glanced off Andrews’ hands and chest, resulting in an incomplete pass that would have tied the score. Despite the disappointment, Jackson refused to place blame solely on Andrews. “It’s a team effort,” Jackson stated. “We’re not going to put that on Mark. He’s been battling all season, and it doesn’t always go our way.” The Ravens struggled to overcome three turnovers, an 11-point halftime deficit, and two failed two-point conversion attempts, ultimately falling short in their quest to rewrite their playoff narrative.
Jackson’s postseason record now stands at 3-5, with a troubling 1-5 mark in games where he has committed turnovers. This defeat marks the fourth time in five playoff appearances since Jackson joined the team in 2018 that the Ravens have failed to reach the conference championship. Head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, emphasizing that they played well enough to win but failed to execute in critical moments. “We didn’t end up doing the things we needed to do to win the game,” he said. Despite the disappointment, Harbaugh expressed confidence in Andrews’ resilience, stating, “Mark will handle it fantastic like he always does, because he’s a high-character person.”
The Ravens dominated in total yardage, outgaining the Bills 416 to 273, yet they struggled to finish drives. Jackson opened the game with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, but subsequent turnovers, including one by Andrews, hindered their momentum. Baltimore’s defense also faltered, allowing a season-high 147 rushing yards to the Bills, who capitalized on their opportunities with multiple touchdowns. Safety Kyle Hamilton lamented the team’s physicality, noting, “We could’ve done better throughout the whole game.” Ultimately, the Ravens’ inability to capitalize on their strengths left them exiting the playoffs with a sense of frustration and uncertainty.
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