Sometimes, life has a cruel way of reminding us of how fickle it can be.
Mark Andrews learned this on Sunday when he had a bad day at the worst possible time, fumbling away a fourth-quarter possession and dropping an open pass on Baltimore's failed two-point conversion attempt that sealed the Ravens' fate in a Divisional Round loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Predictably, Andrews found himself in the crosshairs of every critic in America and beyond, even if football isn't simply determined by the outcome of two plays. He remained quiet -- not making himself available to reporters after the game nor the following day -- allowing time for the disappointment to blow over before making a statement Thursday.
"It's impossible to adequately express how I feel," Andrews wrote in a social media post. "I'm absolutely gutted by what happened on Sunday. I'm devastated for my teammates, my coaches and Ravens fans. I pour every ounce of my being into playing at the highest level possible, because I love my team and the game of football like nothing else. That is why it's taken me until now to collect my thoughts and address this publicly.
"Even though the shock and disappointment are unlike anything I've felt before, I refuse to let the situation define me. I promise that this adversity will only make me stronger and fuel us as we move forward. I thank everyone who has shown me and our team genuine support these past several days. Despite the negativity, I've seen heartfelt love and encouragement, including from those who have generously donated to the Breakthrough T1D organization. Even when the moment seems darkest, perspective can reveal that there's still a lot of light in this world. I'm now going to do my part to bounce back and contribute to it. #GodBless"
Consistency has defined much of Andrews' career, which made his showing in the Ravens' two-point loss to the Bills so shocking. He caught five passes for 61 yards, but dropped one on a frigid evening in Orchard Park, New York, and fumbled after a catch in a key spot, ending a drive just as the Ravens appeared set to regain the lead in the second half.
When the Ravens completed a frantic touchdown drive in the game's final minutes and needed only a two-point conversion to tie the game, offensive coordinator Todd Monken dialed up a pass to his most trusted pass-catcher. Jackson put the ball in a catchable area, but as Andrews fell to the ground, the ball bounced out of his grasp, capping a nightmarish day in which Andrews factored significantly.
It stood as a low point in what has otherwise been a highly successful career for the former third-round pick out of Oklahoma. Andrews has earned three Pro Bowl nods and a first-team All-Pro selection in seven NFL seasons while serving as a top target for Lamar Jackson, reaching a peak output of 107 catches for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2021 season.
Prior to the arrival of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman's breakout season in 2024, the Ravens primarily relied on Andrews. In past years, if Andrews was unavailable due to injury, the ramifications were often dire for Baltimore's passing attack. The addition of Isaiah Likely helped insulate the Ravens against such a worst-case scenario, but it wasn't until 2024 that the Ravens truly reached a new level through the air.
With Flowers out Sunday and Andrews struggling in the biggest moments, the Ravens fell short of their goal. As Andrews wrote Thursday, he won't let one rough day define him. It will only fuel his efforts as the Ravens embark on another pursuit of a Super Bowl next season.
