February 5, 2025
Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor
With yet another devastating playoff exit at the hands of Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, the Baltimore Ravens and their fans find themselves subject to a regrettable — yet predictable — fate. Supporters of the team were full of hope during the regular season, only to be left disappointed when it mattered most. This time, it wasn’t quarterback Lamar Jackson’s performance under the postseason spotlight that cost them; it was a gut-wrenching drop by one of the team’s most reliable weapons, Mark Andrews.
The Ravens entered this season with high expectations, holding a 12-5 record and winning the AFC North title. They had the potential league MVP, Jackson, a dominant running back in Derrick Henry, and a defense that proved to hold its own against the best. Everything was set up for a deep postseason run, but once again, the Ravens failed to deliver when the moment called for it.
Throughout the season, Baltimore displayed grit, following an 0-2 start to the season with a stretch of dominant wins. Per usual, Jackson silenced doubters with his regular-season performances, throwing for over 4,000 yards while showing off his explosiveness as a dual-threat quarterback. Andrews was his dependable target, making clutch plays and serving as a crucial red-zone option. But all of that came crumbling down in the divisional round against Buffalo.
The game itself was a battle. After falling behind early, the Ravens clawed their way back, led by Jackson’s poise and eagerness to win. The absence of wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman in the final minutes made things even tougher, yet Jackson led a brilliant 88-yard touchdown drive to bring Baltimore within two points of tying the game. And then, disaster struck. On the two-point conversion attempt, Jackson found Andrews in the end zone — wide open. A perfect throw — a moment frozen in time. And, then, the unthinkable — Andrews dropped it. Just like that, Baltimore’s season ended, not with a fight, but with a gut-punch.
Unfortunately for the Ravens, that drop wasn’t just a fluke mistake. It was emblematic of their continued failures in the postseason, where one crucial mistake seems to define each agonizing exit.
In the 2022 NFL season, a Tyler Huntley-led Ravens team had a chance to take the lead against the Bengals, only for a fumble at the 1-yard line to be returned 99 yards for a Cincinnati touchdown, sealing their fate.
Last year, Zay Flowers fumbled at the one-yard line against the Chiefs, followed by a Jackson interception on the next drive, another playoff dream crushed.
And now, a dropped pass on a two-point conversion attempt that should have sent the game into overtime. It’s a devastating cycle that keeps repeating, and for Ravens fans, patience is wearing thin.
Jackson, despite his excellence, will continue to face criticism. Fair or not, his haters will point to his 2-4 playoff record and question whether he can win when it truly matters. No matter how many spectacular regular-season performances he delivers, the postseason narrative will menace over him. Until he and the Ravens break through, this cloud of doubt may linger.
As Baltimore enters the offseason, tough questions must be asked. The roster is talented, but is it built for playoff success? The receiving corps needs reinforcements, the offensive line requires more depth and though the defense is strong, they could benefit from additional playmakers in the secondary line. Coaching decisions will also be questioned, as the Ravens must figure out how to avoid these self-inflicted wounds when the stakes are highest.
Head coach John Harbaugh has built a culture of toughness and competitiveness, but the results simply haven’t been there come January. It’s not about getting close anymore. It’s about finishing. If Baltimore wants to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender, they must stop beating themselves when pressure peaks.
For now, Ravens fans are left with another painful what-if. Mark Andrews has been a great player for this team, and one bad play never defines a career, but his moment will be hard to forget. Jackson will return, driven as ever. The team will regroup and potentially reload their roster. But until they prove they can handle the pressure of the playoffs, skepticism will remain.
Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu
