The Baltimore Ravens entered their divisional playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills knowing perfection was the name of the game. Unfortunately, perfection was far from what they delivered. Despite dominating the Bills during the regular season, the postseason rematch proved to be a different beast, ending in heartbreak for Baltimore fans.

Penalties, turnovers, and missed opportunities defined the Ravens’ performance, leaving many to wonder who or what was to blame. While quarterback Lamar Jackson refused to single out anyone, outspoken analyst Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out tight end Mark Andrews as the primary reason for the Ravens’ defeat.

Stephen A. Calls Out “Mr. Reliable”

“Appreciate the accountability on @Lj_era8’s part. Right thing to do. Kudos to him. But it’s on Andrews. So sad. The guy has been great for years — Mr. Reliable. What a horrible time for this to happen to him. But it happened,” Smith posted.

For years, Mark Andrews has been one of the Ravens’ most dependable players, earning the nickname “Mr. Reliable” for his clutch performances and consistent production. However, this game was anything but reliable for the star tight end.

Two Critical Errors

Stephen A. wasn’t wrong to highlight Andrews’ missteps. The veteran tight end found himself on the wrong end of two game-changing plays:

1. The Fumble: Andrews lost the ball on a crucial drive, giving the Bills momentum when the Ravens were trying to mount a comeback.
2. The Drop: Late in the game, Andrews failed to secure a pass that would have tied the score, potentially sending the game into overtime.

While it’s true that even if Andrews had made the catch, the Bills’ offense would’ve had time to counter, his errors undeniably played a significant role in the Ravens falling short.

The Bigger Picture

Football is rarely about a single play or a single player. Blaming Andrews exclusively overlooks the collective issues that plagued the Ravens, including untimely penalties and an inability to finish drives. Still, Stephen A.’s criticism touches on a harsh reality: even the best players have bad days.

For fans, the disappointment is magnified because of the trust and admiration they have for Andrews. But as one of the greatest tight ends in franchise history, Andrews has more than earned the right to bounce back from this.

Rallying Around a Star

At the end of the day, no one feels the weight of those mistakes more than Andrews himself. Teammates, fans, and coaches should rally behind him, recognizing that even legends stumble. As Ravens fans know, setbacks often fuel comebacks.

Andrews remains a vital part of this team, and his legacy isn’t defined by one game. The Ravens will look to regroup, retool, and come back stronger in 2025—with Andrews leading the charge.

For more analysis, reactions, and updates on the Ravens’ offseason moves, keep it locked to The Flock Report.