Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews received most of the blame after the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff run came to an abrupt and excruciating end. Andrews failed to secure a short pass from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on a two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter.
A complete catch would have tied the close 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 a pair of kneels by quarterback Josh Allen punched the Bills’ ticket to the AFC Championship game.
Instead of pointing the finger solely at Andrews, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chris Simms suggested that Jackson needed to 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 Playoff at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“A lot of people are going to criticize Mark Andrews for the botched two-point conversion,” Simms said this week during an appearance on “Up & Adams,” as video of the botched two-point conversion played.
While Simms admitted that Andrews needed to “catch” the ball, he 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 needs to be on time and it wasn’t accurate. Mark Andrews needs to catch it, don’t get me wrong, but Lamar Jackson making $55 million a year and 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, MO. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Simms then praised Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for making the “perfect play,” while continuing to highlight Jackson’s throw during the play in question.
“This was the perfect play. So we can’t be 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 because of the fall, but also, in Lamar Jackson’s meeting with his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, he’s going to get a negative grade.” negative for “This launch was late. He didn’t throw it with the same authority he normally does, and then he threw it behind him. “He made it as hard as possible for an open touchdown.”
Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass on a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL Divisional Football 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 a pair of touchdown passes against an interception. The Ravens also lost two fumbles, one of which was charged to Jackson. Andrews also fumbled in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Jackson rejected the idea 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 put that on Mark.”
