Sunday’s NFL divisional round playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills seemed to live up to expectations from a competitive standpoint, and with time running down in the fourth quarter, the Ravens had a chance to tie the game and truly make things interesting.
After tight end Isaiah Likely scored a touchdown, they went for a two-point conversion, and quarterback Lamar Jackson found Mark Andrews, his other main tight end threat, with a pass, and Andrews motored toward the end zone, only to fail to get a grip on the ball before he crossed the goal line.
Many are blaming Andrews for the Ravens’ loss, but Chris Simms, while on “Up & Adams,” said that Jackson is more to blame because the pass attempt came too late and Jackson seemed hesitant during the attempt.
The throw was too late? Hesitant???
Chris Simms on Lamar Jackson’s throw to Mark Andrews… @CSimmsQB @UpAndAdamsShow pic.twitter.com/WNJCIE7mtJ
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) January 20, 2025
Baltimore fell behind 21-10 prior to halftime, but they kept fighting back and giving themselves a chance to win until the end.
They had more passing and rushing yards than the Bills, and overall, Jackson outplayed Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen.
But ultimately, history will show that Jackson’s mistakes were the biggest factor in his team losing this contest.
Other than throwing an imperfect pass to Andrews with the game on the line during that two-point conversion attempt, he threw an early interception, and early in the second quarter, he fumbled the football while getting sacked, which quickly led to an Allen touchdown.
This will no doubt provide more fuel for the narrative that Jackson simply lacks that extra something needed to win big games in the wintertime and deliver his team a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
