Baltimore Beatdown
The Baltimore Ravens’ season ends in heartbreak.
The only team capable of defeating the Ravens, in the end, were the Ravens. And with costly errors, foolish decisions and mistakes aplenty, their season ends in a 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
For the first time all season, quarterback Lamar Jackson posted two giveaways in a game — an interception on a miscommunication with wide receiver Rashod Bateman and a fumble after attempting to make something off a poor snap from center Tyler Linderbaum. The third and final turnover came by way of tight end Mark Andrews, who after catching a 16-yards pass from Jackson turned across field rather than up where linebacker Terrel Bernard punched loose the football.
But even after the misfires and miscues, the Ravens had a chance to tie the ballgame on a drive on an 88-yard drive with 3:18 remaining. Jackson navigated brilliantly, finding Justice Hill, Bateman, and Tylan Wallace to advance upfield before an incredible 24-yard touchdown to tight end Isaiah Likely. But down by eight, the Ravens needed a two-point conversion.
Jackson rolled to his right and found Andrews open and fired. Andrews failed to secure the ball and it tumbled out before he reached the pylon.
A failed onside kick and a 17-yard run later by Bills’ running back Ty Johnson and the game was sealed.
The Ravens now enter the offseason earlier than imagined, and with questions aplenty on how they can run roughshod all throughout the season, yet fail to deliver when the stakes are raised.
