Baltimore Ravens fans had plenty to lament after a crucial two-point conversion attempt went awry in their game against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday.
While many directed blame toward tight end Mark Andrews for dropping the game-tying pass, NBC analyst Chris Simms had a different perspective: He believes the onus falls squarely on quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Appearing on Up & Adams with Kay Adams, Simms shared his candid assessment of the play, offering strong criticism of Jackson’s execution.
“A lot of people are going to be on Mark Andrews for the dropped two-point conversion,” Simms began, before making his case that Jackson’s throw was both late and off-target.
Simms explained that while the play-call was ideal and Andrews deserved some blame, Jackson bore ultimate responsibility for not delivering a better throw, particularly given his status as one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.
“Throw it, throw it! It’s too late, Lamar Jackson’s making $55 million a year, that ball needs to be on time, and it was not accurate,” Simms said.
“Mark Andrews needs to catch it, don’t get me wrong, but Lamar Jackson’s making $55 million a year and he double-clutched it and threw it like a dart.”
“This was the perfect play call. So we can’t get mad at [Ravens offensive coordinator] Todd Monken,” Simms continued.
“What I’m saying is that Mark Andrews in the meeting today with Baltimore is going to get a negative grade for the drop but also, Lamar Jackson’s meeting with his quarterback coach and the offensive coordinator, he’s going to get a negative grade for this throw.
“It was late, he didn’t throw it with the same authority he usually throws it, and then he threw it behind him, he made it as hard as it possibly could be for a wide-open touchdown.”
Notably, Simms was far from the only former quarterback to have this take.
His father, two-time Super Bowl champion Phil Simms as well as former NFL MVP Boomer Esiason both said the same thing.
While Jackson could have definitely thrown a better pass, the fact of the matter is Andrews HAS to catch that ball – and he’s the first to admit that.
“It’s impossible to adequately express how I feel,” Andrews posted on social media. “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.”
Unfortunately for the Ravens and their fans, a golden opportunity was blown. Instead of them, it’s the Buffalo Bills who advance on to Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.
What are your thoughts on the play?
Who do YOU think deserves the most blame???
