The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson fell short in Sunday’s Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills. Despite Jackson’s early struggles, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith asserted that Jackson has no reason for shame. Trailing by eight points late in the fourth quarter, Jackson made a valiant effort, leading the Ravens 88 yards in under two minutes, culminating in a 24-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely. He then delivered a perfect pass for a two-point conversion attempt to tie the game, which was unfortunately dropped by Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews.
Jim Nantz & Tony Romo on the CBS call for the Mark Andrews drop.
“THE BALL IS DROPPED! HE HAD THE 2-POINT CONVERSION IN HIS HANDS! ANDREWS DID NOT HOLD ON!” – Nantz
“Oh my goodness.” – Romo
“It’s shocking.” – Nantz
“It’s shocking… That’s caught 999 out of 1,000.” – Romo https://t.co/Hcs8sQaey9 pic.twitter.com/CuWAPZ609w
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 20, 2025
The Bills subsequently sealed the victory by securing a first down after recovering an onside kick. Following the game, Smith stated that the loss was not on Jackson but rather on Andrews for several mistakes made in the second half. “This is not on Lamar Jackson,” Smith emphasized. “He did his job. Unfortunately, the great Mark Andrews — who hasn’t lost a fumble since 2019 and rarely drops passes — got stripped and then dropped the 2-pt conversion that would’ve tied the game with under 2 min left. Tragic! Absolutely tragic.”
This is not on @Lj_era8. He did his job. Unfortunately, the great Mark Andrews — who hasn’t lost a fumble since 2019, and doesn’t drop passes — got stripped for a fumble and then dropped the 2-pt conversion that would’ve tied the game with under 2 min left. Tragic! Absolutely…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 20, 2025
This perspective differed sharply from Smith’s assessment of Jackson’s first-half performance. As the Ravens entered the second half down by 11 points, Smith claimed Jackson was being “outplayed” by Josh Allen. “Ladies & Gentlemen, right now, right before the half, Josh Allen is outplaying Lamar Jackson,” Smith stated. “He’s not the one with two turnovers or ill-advised throws. I’ve seen a couple of drops of Lamar’s passes. I get it. But the truth is the truth. What have I been saying: “Lamar, Don’t Let It Be You!”
Ladies & Gentlemen, right now, right before the half, @JoshAllenQB is outplaying @Lj_era8. He’s not the one with two turnovers, or ill-advised throws. I’ve seen a couple of drops of Lamar’s passes. I get it. But the truth is the truth. What have I been saying: “Lamar, Don’t…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 20, 2025
Jackson was imperfect in this game, turning the ball over twice in the first half, notably fumbling in the second quarter, which led to a Bills touchdown. Nevertheless, he orchestrated an MVP-caliber drive during crucial moments. It’s worth noting that almost any other tight end in the NFL would likely have caught the two-point conversion pass that Jackson delivered. After the game, Jackson accepted full responsibility for the loss, an action Smith commended him for later.
“Appreciate the accountability on Lamar Jackson’s part,” wrote Smith. “Right thing to do. Kudos to him. But it’s on Andrews. So sad. The guy has been great for years — Mr. Reliable. What a horrible time for this to happen to him. But it happened.”
A visibly angry Lamar Jackson is ticked off by the turnovers and drops a few expletives. “It’s f’ing annoying. I’m tired of this shit,” he said. pic.twitter.com/IjeYhJqi9C
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 20, 2025
Regardless of who is to blame for the loss, it will be the Bills, not the Ravens, who face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, a team they have struggled against in three of their last four postseason appearances.
