Turnovers and Mark Andrews’ Drop End Another Promising Season for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens
The 2024 NFL season was shaping up to be one of promise and possibility for the Baltimore Ravens. With their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, at the helm and a roster filled with talent on both sides of the ball, the team had high hopes for a deep playoff run. After all, this was a franchise that had consistently contended for championships in recent years. Yet, as the season progressed, a series of critical errors—including turnovers and a crucial drop by tight end Mark Andrews—would derail what seemed to be another promising opportunity for the Ravens.
As the Ravens entered the postseason, they had all the elements of a contender: a top-tier defense, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league, and a special teams unit capable of shifting the momentum of games. Lamar Jackson was playing at an MVP-caliber level, and the offense had found rhythm in recent weeks, with the running game firing on all cylinders. But as it often happens in the NFL, it was the mistakes—turnovers, missed opportunities, and untimely failures—that would eventually prove to be the Ravens’ undoing.
The Stage Was Set: A Promising Season
Baltimore entered the postseason with an 11-6 record, securing a spot in the playoffs with a strong finish to the regular season. Lamar Jackson, despite a few injury scares earlier in the year, was playing some of the best football of his career. He had developed a rapport with his receiving corps, especially tight end Mark Andrews, who had become Jackson’s go-to target. With the defense performing at an elite level and the running game maintaining its dominant form, the Ravens looked poised to make a deep playoff run.
Jackson’s ability to extend plays with his legs, combined with his newfound precision in the passing game, made Baltimore a dangerous team. There was optimism surrounding the Ravens’ offense, especially as they began to click at just the right time. The offensive line, while not perfect, had solidified in recent weeks, giving Jackson the protection he needed to survey the field and make plays. The Ravens’ special teams, as always, were reliable, providing valuable field position in tight games.
However, as the Ravens faced off against tough playoff contenders, they quickly learned that a few mistakes could make the difference between advancing to the Super Bowl or watching from the sidelines.
Turnovers: The Killer of Promising Seasons
As the postseason began, the Ravens were matched up against a formidable opponent, a team known for its high-powered offense and aggressive defense. From the start, it was clear that both teams were determined to make a statement. The game was a hard-fought, physical battle that had all the makings of a classic playoff contest.
But for all the promise that Baltimore’s roster held, it was the turnovers that ultimately doomed the Ravens. The first turnover came in the opening quarter, when Lamar Jackson attempted a risky throw into tight coverage while under pressure. The ball sailed high, and it was intercepted by the opposing defense, who capitalized on the opportunity by quickly turning the turnover into a field goal. The interception was a rare misstep for Jackson, but it wouldn’t be the last.
Despite the early deficit, Lamar Jackson responded with his trademark resilience, leading the Ravens down the field on a long, methodical drive that ended with a touchdown. His ability to make plays with his legs kept the defense guessing, and the Ravens regained momentum. However, the turnovers continued to plague Baltimore’s offense.
In the second half, another interception by Jackson—this time on a pass intended for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.—further tilted the game in favor of the opposition. The interception came after Jackson had navigated the pocket with poise, only for a miscommunication between him and Beckham to result in a ball thrown behind the receiver. The defense was quick to jump on the errant pass, giving the other team a short field that would lead to another field goal.
Turnovers are always costly, but in the postseason, they are even more so. Every possession is precious, and the Ravens were repeatedly putting their defense in a difficult spot by giving up the ball. With their offense unable to sustain drives and their defense spending too much time on the field, the Ravens found themselves playing catch-up, which played right into the hands of the opposing offense.
By the time the final whistle blew, the Ravens had turned the ball over three times—twice through interceptions and once through a fumble by running back J.K. Dobbins. Each mistake proved to be a backbreaker, ultimately leading to a 24-17 loss. The turnovers had compounded their problems, and the promising season ended in disappointment.
The Drop: Mark Andrews’ Crucial Mistake
While turnovers played a major role in the Ravens’ defeat, it was a single, pivotal play that would haunt both Lamar Jackson and tight end Mark Andrews for the rest of their careers. With just over two minutes left in the game, and the Ravens trailing by seven points, Baltimore had one last chance to tie the game and extend their season.
Jackson, as he had done countless times before, put the team in a position to succeed. After a quick strike down the field, he had the Ravens within the 10-yard line, needing only a touchdown to send the game into overtime. On third-and-goal, Jackson dropped back to pass, scanning the field for an open receiver. The pocket collapsed around him, but Jackson kept his cool, stepping up just enough to avoid the pressure. He fired a quick, accurate throw to Andrews, who was wide open in the end zone.
The pass was perfectly placed—right into Andrews’ hands. It was a moment that should have been the culmination of months of hard work, a chance to finally seize the game and keep the Ravens’ championship hopes alive. But in a heart-wrenching twist, Andrews dropped the ball. The stadium fell silent as Andrews stared at the ground in disbelief. It wasn’t just the loss of a potential touchdown—it was the loss of the Ravens’ last chance to keep their Super Bowl dream alive.
After the game, Jackson spoke to reporters, his disappointment evident. “That’s a play Mark would make nine times out of ten. He’s been my guy for years. I trust him. But football’s a game of mistakes, and this one, unfortunately, cost us,” Jackson said somberly. “It’s tough because we were so close. The team fought hard, but that drop was the difference.”
Andrews, clearly distraught, took full responsibility for the drop. “I’ll take the blame for this one. I let my quarterback down, and I let my team down. I should have caught that ball. That’s on me,” he said, his voice cracking.
In a way, Andrews’ drop encapsulated the entire Ravens’ season: a team that had the talent and the potential but just couldn’t finish when it mattered most. Despite their ability to compete with the best in the league, the mistakes—whether they were turnovers, missed opportunities, or dropped passes—always seemed to come at the worst possible times.
The Larger Picture: Inconsistencies in Baltimore’s Postseason Performances
This loss wasn’t an isolated incident. For the past few years, the Ravens had consistently been one of the top teams in the NFL, with Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP level and a defense that could shut down even the most potent offenses. However, year after year, the Ravens seemed to stumble when the stakes were the highest.
The 2024 season was no different. Despite a stellar regular-season performance, Baltimore’s inability to execute in the postseason—particularly in high-pressure moments—was once again their downfall. Whether it was turnovers, untimely drops, or failure to capitalize on critical drives, the Ravens had become a team that was good enough to get close, but not good enough to win it all.
As the season ended with the loss, the question remained: Why do the Ravens continue to come up short? The answer isn’t simple. The team has all the talent they need to contend for a Super Bowl, but they’ve consistently failed to put it all together when it matters most. The turnovers, the missed opportunities, and the failures in key moments have kept them from taking that final step toward a championship.
Looking Forward: A Need for Change
As Baltimore reflects on another promising season that ended in disappointment, the front office, coaches, and players will have to ask themselves some tough questions. While Lamar Jackson remains the centerpiece of the franchise and a legitimate MVP candidate, the team must figure out how to address its recurring issues—especially in the postseason.
For Jackson, the pain of falling short yet again will fuel his desire to keep improving. He knows he can do better, and he will undoubtedly use this loss as motivation for the future. For Mark Andrews, the drop will be something that haunts him, but he too will use it as fuel to get better. The Ravens’ roster is full of talent, but they need to learn how to finish strong and eliminate the mistakes that have held them back.
As for the front office, there will likely be changes coming. The Ravens need to figure out how to provide Jackson with the help he needs—whether that’s adding more depth to the receiving corps, improving the offensive line, or finding a way to execute better in clutch situations.
The 2024 season was another example of the Ravens’ potential, but also their failure to capitalize on it when the moment arrived. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are undoubtedly talented, but until they can address their mistakes and finish strong, another Super Bowl run will remain out of reach.
