Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh defended Mark Andrews after the tight end faced criticism for two key mistakes in the Ravens’ game against the Bills. In the fourth quarter, Andrews lost a fumble following a reception, which halted a crucial drive aimed at taking the lead. Shortly after, he dropped a two-point conversion attempt with just 1:33 left on the clock, sealing the Ravens’ fate in the contest.
Harbaugh quickly stepped in to support Andrews, highlighting the player’s character and resilience. He stated, “Destiny is a decision that you make. The decision is how you handle what comes in your life, and Mark will handle it fantastic like he always does, because he’s a high-character person, he’s a tough person and he’s a good person. I’m proud of him just like I’m proud of all the guys.”
Andrews has been a cornerstone of the Ravens’ offense, contributing significantly to their success this season. He helped the team lead the league in total yards while also enhancing Jackson’s MVP candidacy. With 55 receptions for 673 yards and a team-leading 11 touchdown catches, Andrews has shown consistent performance throughout the year.
Safety Kyle Hamilton emphasized that one play should not define a player’s career. “He’s the all-time leading touchdown receiver in Ravens history,” Hamilton remarked. “He’s been a consistent beacon of success the whole time he’s been here, and for anybody to take anything away from him and his work ethic, I think it’s just unfair.”
Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley referred to Andrews as a “warrior,” expressing his support by telling the tight end that he loved him and believed he would bounce back from the loss. Jackson also reassured Andrews, stating, “we’re a team,” following the missed two-point conversion.
Jackson shared his own feelings about the game, acknowledging his disappointment and the collective responsibility of the team. “I’m just as hurt as Mark. I don’t [think it’s] his fault,” he explained. “Like, all of us played a factor in the game. It’s a team effort. Just not gonna put that on Mark, bro, because he’s been battling all season.” Jackson’s performance included 18 completions on 25 attempts for 254 yards, along with 39 rushing yards, but he recognized the need to improve on holding onto the ball.
Despite outgaining the Bills in total yardage (416 to 273) and converting 7 of 10 third-down opportunities, the Ravens fell short due to turnovers and penalties. Jackson was particularly hard on himself, stating, “Turnovers. We can’t have that s—. That’s why we lost the game. As you can see, we were moving the ball wonderfully. Just hold onto the f—ing ball. I’m sorry for my language. This s— is annoying. I’m tired of this s—.”
