Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Frustrated by yet another playoff loss, Lamar Jackson hits tight end Mark Andrews on a two-point conversion attempt late in the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 loss to Buffalo. didn’t say it was because he dropped a pass. Bills in Sunday’s AFC divisional game.
Instead, the current most valuable player in the NFL focused his anger on the Ravens’ three not-so-unusual turnovers.
“Every time you’re in a situation like this, turnovers are a factor,” Jackson said, tapping his left hand with his right hand. “We can’t do that – and that’s why we lost the game. As you can see, we’re moving the ball great… it’s just having a good grip on the ball. Sorry for my wording, I’m tired of it. ”
Despite the turnovers (including two by Jackson), the Ravens had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Jackson completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah with 1:33 left in the game, cutting Baltimore’s lead to 27-25.
While attempting a two-point conversion, Jackson’s pass hit Andrews in the abdomen, causing the ball to slip through his hands and fall backwards into the end zone.
“There’s no one with more heart, more compassion, more fighting than Mark,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Without Mark Andrews, we wouldn’t be here. Destiny is the decisions you make and how you deal with what happens in your life. Mark handles it in a great way.”
Andrews was unable to speak to reporters after the game, where he made an uncharacteristic mistake.
Before Sunday’s game, Andrews hadn’t dropped a pass since Week 6 against Washington in October. In the divisional game, Andrews dropped two passes, including a crucial two-point conversion attempt.
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Andrews also committed a fumble midway through the fourth quarter when he was forced to punch the ball away near midfield. It was his second fumble in his seven-year career.
“People don’t have animosity toward each other,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said. “One play doesn’t define a person. He’s the all-time greatest touchdown receiver in Ravens history, so anyone has to look in the mirror to say anything about him. He’s a lifelong consistent player. “He was a beacon of success,” and I think it’s just unfair for anyone to take anything away from him and his work ethic. ”
After a failed two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, Jackson spoke to Andrews on the sideline.
“I’m just as hurt as Mark,” Jackson said. “(It’s) not his fault. We all contributed in that game. It was a team effort. I’m not going to put it on Mark because he’s been fighting all season. We’ve done great things in everything we’ve done.”During the season, things don’t always go your way. But for now, we need to understand that. ”
Jackson got off to an error-filled start before rallying against the Ravens in the second half. In a season where he had a career-low four interceptions, Jackson had a pass picked off on the second drive of the game. On the next possession, he fumbled trying to escape pressure.
It was a shaky performance for Jackson, who hadn’t had a game with turnovers all season. However, this was only the fourth game in the postseason in which he threw an interception and lost a fumble.
“Protecting the ball, that’s the priority, and we didn’t do that,” Jackson said. “I’m especially a leader. I have to protect the ball, so I’m very passionate.”
The Ravens have yet to win consecutive playoff games in Jackson’s seven seasons as starting quarterback. Now he has to wait another year before starting a new pursuit for that elusive Super Bowl.
“We’re almost there, so we’ve got to get through this,” said Jackson, the only multiple NFL MVP winner who hasn’t won a Super Bowl. “We’re tired of being right there. We need to hit it. We need to hit that ticket. We have to work on it right away in the offseason.”
