Let’s take a trip down memory lane to January. The NFL playoffs were in full swing, and several teams were legitimately vying for the Super Bowl. For the AFC’s Divisional Round, a highly anticipated clash between the top two candidates was set: Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be a brutal game for Baltimore, as their MVP candidate, Lamar Jackson, struggled early, recording two turnovers. Still, the Ravens found themselves hanging around near the end of the game before a Mark Andrews dropped catch ended their season. But for Jackson, the vitriol around the moment is largely unwarranted.
Lamar Jackson Defends Mark Andrews
Throughout the year, Baltimore was building itself as a legitimate juggernaut, finishing second in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, while Jackson led the pack in the corresponding QB+ metric. However, when the lights were at their brightest, the team faltered.
An interception, a forced fumble on their quarterback, and another on Andrews were the difference in the 27-25 victory for Buffalo. However, even more than the fumble, the biggest talking point coming out of the game was the dropped catch.
After Isaiah Jackson recorded a touchdown to bring the Ravens within two, the ensuing two-point conversion saw Andrews get a pass right in his grill on the far right of the field. But he made an uncharacteristic mistake, and the ball bounced off his chest for an incompletion.
Since then, the seven-year veteran has been a subject of intense scrutiny and criticism, especially online. But as the squad prepares for a new season, Jackson doesn’t want to focus on what went down nearly half a year ago.
The two-point conversion is no good 😳
📺: #BALvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/s1DAo0tdm1— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
Jamison Hensley of ESPN caught the comments from the two-time MVP and posted them on X. “I just saw people trying to dog him in the comments and stuff,” Jackson began, before reminding everyone of the contributions Andrews had already made.
Lamar Jackson voiced his displeasure for those who “dogged” Mark Andrews on social media after the dropped 2-point conversion.
“I wish the mishap didn’t happen. But it happened. It’s just a lesson learned. So next time, we’re going to do something better.” pic.twitter.com/5NvPVPtUFp
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 17, 2025
“He has accomplished so much for us, for himself. So I feel like just let things happen sometimes. We wish we’d won that game. I wish I didn’t throw that interception. I wish the mishap didn’t happen. But it happened. It’s just a lesson learned.”
Throughout his career, Andrews has become a valuable commodity for the Ravens. A consistent threat in virtually every game, he even has a 1,300-yard season under his belt. And in that time, he’s become a trusted locker room leader.
The locker room isn’t blaming it all on Andrews, and understandably so. But the goal for Baltimore is also clear. “Next time, we’re going to do something better.”
