The Baltimore Ravens’ regretful memories are brought back by Mark Andrews’ drop.

In the high-stakes world of NFL playoff football, every play matters, and every decision is magnified under the bright lights of the postseason. For the Baltimore Ravens, their 2024 AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Buffalo Bills was supposed to be their moment to shine—an opportunity to exorcise their playoff demons and prove that their dynamic quarterback, Lamar Jackson, could lead them to the AFC Championship Game. Instead, the game ended in heartbreak for the Ravens, as they fell to the Bills by a final score of 31-29.

The most poignant moment of the Ravens’ defeat came in the final minutes of the game, after Lamar Jackson had led his team to a stunning touchdown to take the lead. With the Ravens up 29-24, they had a chance to extend their lead with a two-point conversion, which would have made it a seven-point game. However, a misfire on the conversion attempt, highlighted by Mark Andrews’ drop of a potential game-winning pass, became the focal point of a missed opportunity that Ravens fans will likely never forget.

This drop was not only a painful way to end the game but also brought to the surface a series of emotional and frustrating memories for the Ravens’ organization. The team’s inability to capitalize on key moments in the postseason—especially in games with playoff implications—was compounded by Andrews’ uncharacteristic mistake.

Setting the Stage: The Ravens’ Playoff Struggles

To understand the weight of Mark Andrews’ drop in the divisional round, it’s important to take a step back and look at the history of the Ravens’ playoff performances. While the team has long been considered one of the NFL’s most well-coached and successful franchises, there has been a longstanding issue with their playoff performances, especially in critical moments.

The Ravens’ most significant playoff heartbreak came in 2021 when they were eliminated by the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round, losing 17-3 in a game where Lamar Jackson was knocked out with a concussion. Jackson’s absence was felt deeply, but it wasn’t just that game. Over the years, the Ravens had experienced a series of difficult playoff losses. In 2018, they were ousted by the Los Angeles Chargers after a lackluster performance from Jackson. In 2019, they were the top seed in the AFC but were stunned by the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round, a loss that left many questioning the Ravens’ ability to perform in high-pressure situations.

By the time the 2024 playoffs rolled around, there was a sense of urgency surrounding the Ravens. Lamar Jackson had developed into one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the NFL, capable of turning any game on its head with his legs and arm. However, a lingering question remained: could he deliver in the postseason when it mattered most? With Jackson’s playoff track record—at least before the 2024 season—being a mixture of early exits and unfulfilled potential, the Ravens were desperate to overcome their historical shortcomings.

The Ravens’ Strong Start: Lamar Jackson’s Brilliance

Despite the emotional weight of previous playoff disappointments, the Ravens entered their matchup with the Buffalo Bills with a renewed sense of confidence. Lamar Jackson was playing at an MVP-caliber level in 2024, and the team had developed a strong, balanced offense capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone. The Bills, led by their star quarterback Josh Allen, were no slouches, but the Ravens knew they had the tools to compete.

From the start of the game, Jackson and the Ravens looked sharp. The offense moved fluidly, with Jackson making throws into tight windows and showcasing his ability to escape the pocket and extend plays with his legs. A mix of running back J.K. Dobbins and Jackson’s improvisational playmaking helped move the ball down the field, and the Ravens scored two touchdowns in the first half, matching the Bills blow for blow.

Jackson’s throws to tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Rashod Bateman kept the Bills’ defense guessing, and the Ravens appeared to have momentum on their side as they headed into the second half tied at 14-14. However, the game was far from over, and the Bills were not going to roll over easily.

The Final Moments: The Ravens Take the Lead

After a tense back-and-forth second half, the Ravens found themselves in a position to win. Lamar Jackson had orchestrated a crucial drive late in the game, capped off by a touchdown to Rashod Bateman that gave the Ravens a 29-24 lead with just over a minute remaining. The crowd at M&T Bank Stadium erupted, as it seemed like the Ravens were finally going to break through and silence their critics. For the first time in years, it felt like the Ravens were about to shed the stigma of being perennial playoff underachievers.

However, there was still work to be done. With the Ravens leading by just five points, head coach John Harbaugh made a bold decision. Instead of kicking the extra point and extending the lead to six, Harbaugh opted to go for a two-point conversion to make it a seven-point game, which would force the Bills to score a touchdown to win.

The decision was one that made sense on paper. With the game on the line, the Ravens had the opportunity to take a commanding lead and make the Bills’ task much harder. However, the execution failed at the most critical moment.

The Critical Moment: Mark Andrews’ Drop

The Ravens lined up for the two-point conversion attempt, and Lamar Jackson dropped back to pass. His eyes scanned the field, and he spotted Mark Andrews coming open in the back of the end zone. Andrews, who had been one of the most reliable and consistent targets for Jackson throughout the season, had the ball in his hands—perfectly placed—ready to secure the two points that would give the Ravens a commanding seven-point lead.

But as Andrews tried to secure the ball, it slipped through his fingers. The pass, though thrown accurately, was slightly behind him, and Andrews couldn’t bring it in. The chance to put the game out of reach was lost in a moment of miscommunication, and the Ravens’ hopes of seizing a commanding lead slipped away.

In that instant, the weight of the moment—and the pressure of past playoff failures—came crashing down. Ravens fans could only watch in disbelief as the ball fell incomplete, the two-point conversion failed, and the lead remained at five points.

The missed opportunity to go up by seven meant that Buffalo, led by Josh Allen, still had a legitimate chance to come back and win the game. The Ravens would now have to rely on their defense to hold off the Bills and protect their slim lead. But even though the game was still far from over, the failure to convert the two-point try seemed like a turning point.

The Fallout: Emotional Impact and What Could Have Been

The missed two-point conversion attempt would prove to be the defining moment of the game, but it was just the beginning of a series of regrets that would haunt the Ravens for years to come. The Bills, now with a sense of renewed hope, marched down the field in the final seconds of the game. Josh Allen, cool and composed, executed a masterful drive that ended with a game-winning touchdown pass to Dawson Knox, sealing the 31-29 victory for the Bills.

For the Ravens, it was another playoff exit filled with what-ifs. The drop by Mark Andrews was not just a missed opportunity for two points—it was a glaring reminder of the team’s history of postseason heartbreaks. How many times had they been in similar situations, only to fall short? How many times had a small mistake, a missed catch, or a failed play doomed them in critical moments?

For Andrews, the drop was particularly painful. As the Ravens’ top receiving target, Andrews had been the team’s go-to player in big moments all season. His chemistry with Jackson was undeniable, and his reliability had made him one of the league’s top tight ends. To see such an uncharacteristic mistake come at such a crucial time was heartbreaking for both him and the team.

It wasn’t just a missed catch—it was the culmination of years of playoff frustration. The Ravens had come so close to advancing to the AFC Championship Game, only to be undone by a single error. Fans in Baltimore, who had long supported their team through the highs and lows, were left with an aching sense of regret.

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next for the Ravens?

In the days following the heartbreaking loss, the question on everyone’s mind in Baltimore was simple: Where do the Ravens go from here? Once again, they had been tantalizingly close to reaching the AFC Championship Game, only to fall short. With a young and talented quarterback in Lamar Jackson and a solid supporting cast, the Ravens are undoubtedly a team on the rise. But the inability to capitalize on key moments in big games will continue to haunt them until they can finally break through.

Mark Andrews’ drop, though painful in the moment, will be remembered as a symbol of the larger issues the Ravens face in the postseason. It was a missed opportunity, but it was also another reminder that, in the NFL, the difference between winning and losing can be as small as a dropped pass, a missed throw, or a failed conversion attempt.

For the Ravens, the road to redemption will be long and filled with challenges. But if they can learn from their past mistakes, capitalize on their strengths, and rise above the heartbreaks of seasons past, they will have a chance to finally shake off their playoff demons and reach the heights they’ve longed for.

In the meantime, Ravens fans—and Mark Andrews himself—will carry the painful memories of that missed opportunity for years to come. But in football, as in life, the only way forward is to take the lessons learned and use them to fuel future success.