Mark Andrews was the Bills’ best player against the Ravens

Mark Andrews became the Bills’ secret weapon.

Another year, another occasion for Lamar Jackson to be let down by his team. The playoff story of the Ravens wrote a new chapter on Sunday night, with Baltimore finally looking like an elite team capable of winning the Super Bowl — then Mark Andrews happened.

It’s rough to distill a team loss down to one guy, but in this case, it’s warranted. Andrews’ meltdown in the fourth quarter was a legendary example of one player ruining everything. Andrews had just caught a pass with the Ravens down five points, and all he needed to do was fall to the ground and keep the driver going. Instead, he tried to juke, which at best, would have gained 3-4 more yards — fumbling as a result.

It resulted in the Bills driving for a field goal. The defense did its job to stop Josh Allen from scoring, keeping Baltimore in the game. Granted they’d need some heroics from Lamar once again, but if anyone was capable of doing it, it was Jackson. A dramatic touchdown drive later all the Ravens needed was a simple catch, a converted two-point attempt, and the push for overtime would be on.

Unfortunately it was Andrews’ number that was called once more.

An easy pass, right in the bread basket — and he dropped it. Unquestionably the weight of the fumble was still on his mind, but part of being a key player in a critical moment like this is being able to erase what happened previously and take every play as it comes.

This marks the third straight season in which the Ravens’ season ended in crushing disappointment due to a critical failure by an offensive player.

2022: QB Tyler Huntley fumbles a go-ahead touchdown at the goal line. The Bengals recover, returning it 98-yards for a touchdown and go on to win.

2023: WR Zay Flowers fumbles at the goal line. A touchdown would have given the Ravens a 17-14 lead against Kansas City. Baltimore goes on to lose 17-10.

2024: Mark Andrews fumbles on a potential go-ahead drive, then later drops a two-point conversion that would have tied the game against Buffalo.

What really makes this sting is that in past seasons Andrews was the only reliable player on the Ravens offense other than Lamar. That was the whole problem. The team was in dire need of more weapons because the only guy who could be counted on was Mark Andrews, and when he was hurt the offense faltered.

There’s no good answer to this. No simple solution. Something just keeps happening to the Ravens where players aren’t able to complete the most basic of tasks when games matter the most.

That’s not to take anything away from the Bills. Buffalo executed when it needed to and ensured they were going to move forward. Getting Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard back was critical, as Bernard not only helped punch the ball out on the Andrews fumble, but having the two linebackers in the lineup ensured that the amount of damage Derrick Henry could do was mitigated.

It’ll be another year of soul searching for the Ravens. Another brilliance season by their QB squandered. All because, once more, someone else cost them the game.

To be the man, you gotta beat the man

Dan Campbell made a decision in July to invite Hulk Hogan to meet the Lions during training camp. This was before Hulk became political, and at the time, he was simply a racist, union-busting, born-again Christian grifter trying to make money by saying anything to stay relevant. On Saturday the Commanders channeled their own wrestling persona, Ric Flair — who said “To be the man, you gotta beat the man,” and they beat the man.

Washington has quickly become the feel-good team of the NFL playoffs. Throwing off the shackles of a pathetic Dan Snyder era to now reach the NFC Championship with the league’s most dynamic rookie quarterback. At no point vs. the Lions was the moment too big for Jayden Daniels, who was effortlessly cool under pressure.

There’s no doubt it was a crushing end to the Lions season — one that probably doesn’t happen if Detroit was able to be healthy in the playoffs. Still, the most remarkable element to Washington’s win was that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury perfectly predicted how Aaron Glenn would attempt to punish his offense, and pivoted right out of the way.

Washington has been leaning on Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz as the heart of its passing game, but against Detroit plays were drawn up to turn Dyami Brown into the focal point — something the Commanders haven’t done all season. The switch was difficult for Detroit to key in on, and with eight targets and six receptions for 98 yards he demolished the Lions through the air.

It’s getting more and more difficult to count out Washington. This teams keeps finding ways to win, and now they only have to make it past Saquon Barkley and the Eagles to reach the Super Bowl. It’s another significant test, but count this team out at your peril — because like Ric Flair, they keep finding ways to win.

Winner: Saquon Barkley

The selfless heart of the Eagles, Barkley was an absolute machine as he rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Rams.

It’s very difficult to have much faith in Jalen Hurts’ arm these playoffs, and now facing a potential injury the pressure is even more on Barkley. He just keeps stepping up though, and it doesn’t matter who he’s against he’ll put the Eagles on his back.

When you pair the rushing ability of Barkley with the stellar Philly defense it makes for a package that is poised to go to the Super Bowl this year.

Winner: Travis Kelce

It was fair to question whether or not Travis Kelce’s slow down had begun. This season he’s struggled to bail out the Chiefs receiving corps in the past, but when the light got the brightest he stepped up.

Kelce was the single biggest difference maker for Kansas City against the Texans. He was all over the field, turning back the clock and showing the dominance that has led Andy Reid’s team to back-to-back Super Bowls.

If Kelce can keep this kind of performance up as we move forward, then there’s a lot of reason to believe the Chiefs will once again raise the Lombardi Trophy.