Ravens rally behind Mark Andrews after committing costly mistakes in loss to Bills

The three-time Pro Bowl tight end’s team sounded off in support of him after a bad drop and turnover late in the game.

As passionate as any member of the Baltimore Ravens fan base might be, no one in the world had the right to be more heartbroken than veteran tight end Mark Andrews following the team’s narrow 27-25 season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

After missing the Divisional Round of the playoffs last year while recovering from a gruesome lower leg injury, the three-time Pro Bowler had a chance to be one of the heroes of the game this time around. Instead, he was one of the main reasons they fell short.

Andrews committed the Ravens’ third and most costly turnover of the game in the fourth quarter when the offense was driving to potentially retake the lead and following an incredible 24-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Lamar Jackson and fellow tight end Isaiah Likely, he dropped what would’ve been the game-tying two-point conversion.

While Andrews wasn’t available for comments in the postgame locker room or during media locker availability on Monday upon the team’s return to Baltimore, his head coach and several teammates spoke out in support of the stalwart leader who became the franchise’s all-time leader in touchdowns from scrimmage this season.

Head coach John Harbaugh:

“There’s nobody that has more heart and cares more or fights more than Mark. We wouldn’t be here without Mark Andrews. That’s what you say to him. It’s like anything else – destiny is a decision that you make. The decision is how you handle what comes in your life. Mark will handle it fantastic like he always does, because he’s a high-character person, he’s a tough person, and he’s a good person. I’m proud of him just like I’m proud of all the guys.”

Quarterback Lamar Jackson:

“[Mark Andrews has] been busting his behind. He’s been making plays out on that field for us… I’m just as hurt as Mark. I don’t … [It’s not] his fault. All of us played a factor in that game. It’s a team effort. We’re not going to put that on Mark, because he’s been battling all season. He’s been doing all the great things he’s been doing all season.”

Tight end Isaiah Likely:

“Mark [Andrews] is a pro’s pro. You all are going to have to ask him how he feels, but I know Mark [well]. Any other situation, Mark holds onto the ball. He does everything right. That’s why he’s my big brother. I look up to Mark in everything he does. I try to be a sponge with everything he does. It happens. He’s human.”

Center Tyler Linderbaum:

“Mark [Andrews is] a great player. [He’s] the best tight end in the league. There’s nothing to say. It doesn’t come down to one play. It’s a four-quarter ball game for a reason. There are 160 plays in a game. You can’t allow it to come down to one play, and we have all the faith in the world in Mark.”

Running back Derrick Henry:

“It’s not on [Mark Andrews]. We’re all in this together. He’s a warrior, and there’s a lot to be proud about from this season [for] us as a group. We always [are] going [to] back him.”

Safety Kyle Hamilton:

“[Stuff] happens in this league. I dropped a pick earlier in the year. People don’t turn on one another. We go through so much from fall camp to now. One play doesn’t define anybody. [Mark Andrews is] the all-time leading touchdown receiver in Ravens history, so for anybody to say anything about him, you have to look in the mirror and really evaluate your thought process [given] what he’s done for this franchise [and] what he will do for this franchise in the future. He’s been a consistent beacon of success the whole time he’s been here, and for anybody to take anything away from him and his work ethic, I think it’s just unfair.”