Another strong season for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens is ended by turnovers and Mark Andrews’ decline.

The 2024 NFL season had all the makings of a banner year for the Baltimore Ravens. Coming off a strong 2023 campaign that featured standout performances from Lamar Jackson and a revamped offense, expectations were high. With Jackson continuing to evolve as both a passer and a runner, and the defense providing its usual stout play, the Ravens were positioned to make a deep playoff run. However, as the season progressed, it became apparent that while Baltimore had the talent to compete with the league’s best, they were also plagued by a combination of untimely turnovers and a sharp decline in the performance of one of their most reliable stars, Mark Andrews. These issues ultimately derailed their season and prevented them from reaching their ultimate goal: a Super Bowl title.

In the NFL, a team’s season can pivot on a handful of crucial moments, and for the Ravens, those moments came at the most inopportune times. Despite having one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league in Lamar Jackson and a defense that could stifle opposing offenses, the Ravens’ inability to protect the ball, compounded by the struggles of Mark Andrews, left them unable to close out games when it mattered most. This article takes a deep dive into how turnovers and Andrews’ decline impacted the Ravens’ season, examining how these factors prevented them from achieving greater success in 2024.

Lamar Jackson: A Strong Season with an Unfortunate Ending

There’s no denying that Lamar Jackson had another remarkable year in 2024. The Ravens’ offense remained built around his unique skill set—his ability to both pass and run at an elite level, making him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league. Jackson’s passing accuracy improved, and he showed an ability to throw from the pocket with more consistency, a facet of his game that had often been criticized in previous seasons. His ability to read defenses, process information quickly, and make precise throws when needed added a new dimension to the Ravens’ attack.

Lamar Jackson ended the regular season with over 4,000 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. His rushing numbers were as potent as ever, with over 900 yards on the ground and several game-changing runs that kept defenses on their heels. Jackson’s combination of passing and running, along with his leadership, kept the Ravens in the hunt for the top spot in the AFC.

Despite his individual brilliance, Jackson’s season ended on a sour note due to circumstances largely beyond his control. One of the most frustrating aspects of Baltimore’s 2024 campaign was that, even with Jackson playing at an MVP-caliber level, the team was unable to consistently win in the playoffs. The culprit for the Ravens’ postseason demise lay in two key areas: turnovers and the unexpected decline of Mark Andrews, Jackson’s most trusted weapon.

Turnovers: A Constant Thorn in the Ravens’ Side

Turnovers have long been a point of emphasis for John Harbaugh’s Ravens, and in 2024, they were once again a deciding factor in the team’s inability to make a deep playoff run. The Ravens’ defense, led by Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey, kept opponents in check, but the offense was often undone by critical mistakes at the worst times. While Jackson himself had fewer turnovers than in previous seasons, the overall turnover rate remained uncomfortably high. Baltimore ended the season with a turnover differential of -2, ranking 20th in the league. In close games—especially in the playoffs—this margin of error proved to be too much to overcome.

In their playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens had an early lead, but turnovers quickly turned the tide. A fumble from running back J.K. Dobbins, a costly interception by Jackson, and a botched snap all contributed to Baltimore’s downfall. Despite Jackson’s best efforts, the turnovers piled up, and the Bengals capitalized on each opportunity, taking control of the game and eventually securing the victory.

The turnovers were not isolated to the Ravens’ playoff loss, however. Throughout the regular season, Baltimore struggled to hold onto the ball in critical moments. This trend was most evident in games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, where Jackson threw interceptions deep in the red zone that allowed opponents to escape with wins. The inconsistency in ball security prevented the Ravens from finishing games and often forced their defense to play under intense pressure.

While Jackson showed considerable growth in terms of his decision-making and the overall efficiency of the offense, there were still moments when the Ravens’ inability to protect the football derailed their efforts. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the coaching staff were unable to fully address this issue, and it became an albatross around the team’s neck as the season wore on.

Mark Andrews: The Decline of a Star

Another significant factor in the Ravens’ disappointing end to the season was the unexpected decline of Mark Andrews, who had been one of the most reliable tight ends in the league for several years. Andrews had been Jackson’s favorite target for most of his career, forming a potent duo that wreaked havoc on defenses. However, in 2024, the Pro Bowl tight end’s production took a noticeable dip.

After a stellar 2023 season in which Andrews recorded over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns, the 2024 campaign was not nearly as productive. His performance was marred by several drops, a lack of separation from defenders, and inconsistent play. Andrews ended the regular season with just 750 yards and 4 touchdowns, a significant decline from his previous seasons of dominance. This drop-off in production was especially apparent in the postseason, where he struggled to make key catches in crucial moments.

There are several factors that contributed to Andrews’ decline. One was injuries—he dealt with lingering knee and ankle issues that hampered his explosiveness and route running. Another factor was the increased focus on Andrews from opposing defenses. Teams began to bracket Andrews with double coverage, knowing that he was Jackson’s favorite target. While Andrews had the ability to beat these coverages in previous years, his diminished play in 2024 made it difficult for him to maintain the same level of dominance.

The absence of a fully healthy and productive Andrews was felt most during the Ravens’ playoff game against the Bengals. Andrews was largely invisible, with his only notable contribution being a handful of short catches that did little to change the course of the game. Without his usual impact in the passing game, Jackson had fewer reliable targets to turn to when the game became tight. This put even more pressure on the Ravens’ offense, which struggled to generate consistent production outside of Jackson’s individual brilliance.

In past seasons, when the Ravens needed a crucial play on third down or in the red zone, they could always count on Andrews to make a key reception. In 2024, that reliability was gone, and it left Baltimore with fewer options in a high-pressure environment. With Andrews in decline, the Ravens’ offense lacked a safety net when things went wrong.

The Impact on the Ravens’ Offensive System

The absence of a high-functioning Andrews fundamentally altered the Ravens’ offensive system. Todd Monken’s scheme was built to feature a dynamic passing attack, with Jackson spreading the ball to multiple playmakers. However, without Andrews consistently being the focal point of the passing game, the Ravens struggled to move the ball through the air. Rashod Bateman showed flashes of his potential, but he was inconsistent throughout the season. Zay Flowers, the talented rookie receiver, had moments of brilliance but was often unable to make an impact when the offense needed him the most.

The Ravens also had to lean more heavily on their running game to generate offense, but this approach had its limits. Teams began to key in on the Ravens’ ground attack, especially with J.K. Dobbins still recovering from previous injuries and not being able to consistently produce in critical moments. This forced Jackson to take on even more of the load, and while he was able to make some spectacular plays, he was ultimately unable to carry the offense on his own. The lack of a reliable passing attack beyond Andrews left the Ravens’ offense one-dimensional and easier to game plan for.

With Andrews not performing at his usual elite level, the Ravens were forced to rely on less proven options in the passing game. Jackson’s talent kept the offense afloat for much of the season, but in key playoff moments, the absence of a reliable tight end option was glaring.

Looking Forward: What’s Next for the Ravens?

As the Ravens’ season ended in heartbreak, questions began to swirl around the team’s future. The combination of turnovers and the decline of Mark Andrews left a sense of missed opportunity hanging over Baltimore’s locker room. While the team had plenty of positives to build on, particularly in Lamar Jackson’s continued development as a passer, the Ravens’ ultimate inability to capitalize on those strengths was frustrating for both the team and their fanbase.

For Jackson, the quest for a Super Bowl title remains ongoing. While his growth as a passer is undeniable, the lack of a consistent and reliable supporting cast continues to be an issue. The Ravens will need to address several key areas in the offseason, including the acquisition of additional playmakers in the passing game and bolstering the offensive line to give Jackson more time to survey the field. While Andrews’ decline in 2024 may be attributed to injury and age, the team cannot afford to rely on one player as the centerpiece of their offense moving forward.

Defensively, the Ravens are in a solid position, with one of the top units in the league. The focus will need to be on ensuring that their offensive issues do not continue to undermine their efforts. Baltimore’s defense is championship-caliber, but as the 2024 season proved, a top-tier defense alone cannot win a Super Bowl.

As for Andrews, the Ravens will need to figure out whether his decline is a temporary setback due to injury or the beginning of a longer-term issue. If Andrews cannot return to his elite form, Baltimore may need to invest in another playmaker at tight end or look for other options to complement Jackson’s skill set. The Ravens have a solid core, but they need to find the right pieces to complement their star quarterback and take that next step.

In the end, the 2024 season for the Ravens will be remembered as one of missed opportunities. Lamar Jackson played some of the best football of his career, but turnovers and the decline of Mark Andrews left them short of their ultimate goal. As they look to the future, the challenge will be to fix the issues that held them back and continue their pursuit of an elusive Super Bowl title.