Lance Lysowski
Mark Andrews pulled a hood over his head, grabbed his belongings and quietly walked out of the Baltimore Ravens' locker room at Highmark Stadium without speaking to reporters late Sunday night.
He didn't stick around to answer questions about the pass that he dropped on a two-point conversion attempt, which would have tied their AFC divisional playoff game against the Bills with 1:44 left to play. His reaction to his earlier fourth-quarter fumble, which helped the Bills pad their lead, remained a mystery. It will stay that way, at least until the Ravens' end-of-season media availability.
As the Bills ran out the clock on a 27-25 victory that sent them to the AFC championship game for the first time since 2020, Lamar Jackson consoled Andrews on the Ravens' sideline. Jackson reminded his star tight end the season-ending loss wasn't all on him.
People are also reading... Buffalo's late-night bar scene was once a brand. Now? 'The 4 a.m. crowd doesn't exist anymore' Trump appoints Kenmore native to head immigration agency Mike Harrington: How is it possible Sabres have done nothing to try to fix season? 'Blindsided': Joseph Gramaglia out as Buffalo police commissioner; Alphonso Wright to serve in acting role DraftKings promo code for Bills vs. Ravens, NFL playoffs: Bet $5 to get $200 plus $50 bonus bet & $1,000 deposit match Matt Milano takes another step forward for Bills against Ravens Former Erie County deputy clerk sentenced to up to 4 years for embezzling $320,000 Bills-Ravens expected to be among coldest home playoff games in Bills' history She stormed the Capitol. Now a Buffalo woman wants the OK to attend Trump's inauguration Another member of Buffalo Police Dept. brass is leaving Old Pink arson suspect back in custody Bills-Ravens: Who you got? Buffalo News writers make their predictions Meet Desaree Festa - 'Dr. Dez,' the Bills' sport psychologist and 'the unsung hero of this team' Erik Brady: Mack Hollins gets in touch with his inner Fred Flintstone and a Bills superfan rejoices After Buffalo Police Department shake-up, more questions and some answers
"I'm just as hurt as Mark," Jackson said after the game. "I don't think it's his fault. All of us played a factor in the game. It's a team effort. We're not going to put that on Mark. Because he's been battling all season."
The two-time MVP quarterback himself was responsible for two of the Ravens' three turnovers. He threw a first-quarter interception, and his second-quarter fumble was returned 39 yards by Von Miller before Josh Allen ran into the end zone for a 14-7 lead.
The devastation was apparent in Baltimore's locker room as Andrews walked out.
Jackson huddled with a few of his receivers while, several feet away, defensive backs discussed the coverage mishaps the Bills' offense exploited to build a 14-point lead at halftime. Todd Monken, their offensive coordinator, hugged players and thanked them for a season in which Baltimore became the first team in NFL history with at least 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards.
Ryan O'Halloran: Exhale, Buffalo Bills fans: another major step taken in win over Ravens
"Every playoff win is a relief because of the competition (the Ravens are really good), the stakes (a loss, and the soul-searching is immediate) and the reward (the Bills are one of four NFL teams remaining)," Ryan O'Halloran writes.
Despite a mistake-filled first half, the Ravens had an opportunity to advance to the AFC championship game for the second straight year.
"I'm kind of in shock, man," cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. "I just felt like we had a good chance coming into this game, game plan, everything we had. ... Really, shocked, if I were to say an emotion."
On Sunday, the Ravens became the first team in NFL history to rush for at least 175 yards, complete at least 70% of their passes, average 10 yards per completion, convert at least 70% of third downs and not punt or miss a field goal in the same game.
Their defense mostly kept Buffalo in check.
Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack
Allen completed 16 of 22 passes for just 127 yards, his lowest total of the season, and James Cook averaged 3.9 rushing yards in 17 carries. The Bills punted on their first two possessions of the second half, and later on, they settled for two Tyler Bass field goals, the second of which gave them an eight-point lead with 3:29 remaining.
The first half was ugly for Baltimore. Humphrey was still bothered by the mistakes as he stood at his locker after the game. The Ravens had realistic Super Bowl aspirations, and they were marching down the field in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead.
The Bills were ahead by five points, 24-19, when Andrews ran 2 yards to convert a fourth down at Baltimore's 41-yard line with 10:10 remaining.
Plays that shaped the game: Damar Hamlin's timely blitz causes big turnover in Bills' victory
The Buffalo Bills' defense got aggressive Sunday night, and it helped create a turnover that put them in control of their AFC divisional round playoff victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Later, the Bills blitzed linebacker Matt Milano when Jackson received a shotgun snap, faked a handoff to Derrick Henry and threw a quick 16-yard pass to Andrews that moved the Ravens across midfield.
Andrews protected the ball on his left hip as he tried to evade a tackle, but Bernard punched the ball out and recovered the fumble. The Bills drove 52 yards in 11 plays, killing 3:31 of game clock, before Bass kicked a 21-yard field goal.
"Mark's a pro's pro," Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely said. "Y'all gonna have to ask him how he feels, but I know in every other situation, Mark holds onto the ball. He does everything right. That's why he's my big brother. I look up to everything he does. ... It happens. He's human."
Andrews' dropped two-point pass came after Jackson had made three exceptional plays during their final drive. He escaped the pocket and threw a dart to Tylan Wallace for a 27-yard gain. Jackson then found Andrews open near the sideline for a 19-yard gain, and finally, he connected with Likely for a 24-yard touchdown pass that pulled Baltimore within two points.
The Ravens' prolific offense looked unstoppable. Overtime seemed inevitable. They only needed to convert a two-point conversion.
Takeaways, game balls from Buffalo Bills' 27-25 win over Baltimore Ravens
A recap of the Bills-Baltimore AFC divisional round playoff game.
Jackson snapped the ball, spotted his tight end near the right pylon and threw a pass that slipped through Andrews' hands. The crowd roared. Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard waved his arms to celebrate the stop. Buffalo got its rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs, while Baltimore had to quickly come to terms that its season was over.
"This is nothing that we planned for," Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said. "It's a shock to everybody walking off that field - definitely me - for it to just be over like that. We feel like we have the team and the mentality to win a Super Bowl every year we come out."
The Ravens were healthy, aside from the knee injury that kept their best receiver, Zay Flowers, out of the playoffs. Their defense ranked first in the NFL against the run (80.1 yards per game) and second in sacks (54). From Weeks 11-18, Baltimore was first in yards allowed per game (261.7), net passing yards allowed per game (171.6), yards per play (4.4) and points per game (15.4). Its nine wins against teams with a winning record was the best mark in the league.
Now it's unclear what the Ravens will look like next season. Andrews, the franchise' all-time leader in touchdown catches, is among the veterans without substantial guaranteed money left on their contracts. Key contributors on offense and defense may leave in the offseason.
"This team is done," Humphrey said. "When I look at it, some guys will be here, some guys won't. ... The message, is we lost, get over it and we'll kind of see how the offseason."
0 Comments Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lance Lysowski
News Sports Reporter
Author facebook Author twitter Author email Follow Lance Lysowski Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today