OTL: Licking Our Wounds & Trying to Move On

I’ve been dreading saying this, but it’s officially the offseason for Ravens fans after a debilitating 27-25 loss to Buffalo that ran the gamut of emotions. Baltimore had an impressive opening drive that boosted my expectations, only for them to be torn apart quickly after two backbreaking turnovers.

Next, seeing defeat on the horizon and trying to come to terms with it, my spirits rose again after an impressive start to the second half. And in the end, my heart was broken again after a series of mistakes by TE Mark Andrews to solidify the loss.

Just when it looked like the Ravens would take the lead, the fan favorite fumbled. Just when it looked like the Ravens would draw level, the fan favorite dropped a 2-point conversion.

I highlight the fact that Andrews was – and for many still is – a fan favorite because of how fickle us fans can be. At the end of the day, no matter how poor Andrews’ play was, we have to remember that he is a human being who makes mistakes and has emotions. Before talking about anything else, I want to beat this point home – there’s nobody hurting more than Andrews:

Hope Mark Andrews is doing okay.

Can only imagine what’s going through his mind the past few days.

— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) January 21, 2025

Looking back on the game, there’s blame to be shared by the team, even with the glaring late-game issues Andrews had. For some, though, Lamar Jackson’s slate is clean after the loss:

Lamar Jackson is NOT The Problem

4 plays by the Ravens offense defined how their season ended….Lamar struggled in 1st Half but was a killer in the 2nd Half. #RavensFlock

All 22 QB Playoff Breakdown: Lamar Jackson pic.twitter.com/mfGWflwg6D

— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) January 21, 2025

I’ll once again say this…

On the Lamar fumble, you take the good and bad with Lamar. You weren’t upset when he made that play against the Bengals after dropping the snap right? These electrifying plays are sometimes disastrous and that comes with it.

— Theo Berry (@theobxtrapoint) January 21, 2025

Chris Long: “I don’t watch Lamar & think the moment is too big for him. The moment wasn’t too big for him at the end of the game.

With the #Ravens, the mundane moments are too big for them. And that’s been the story with them…” @greenlight

I could not have said it better.

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) January 21, 2025

While Jackson played well outside his mistakes, I still felt the fumble was unacceptable. I admit that Jackson makes impossible plays look normal, but given the playoff situation and winter weather, I feel it’s a moment where he has to minimize damage. His second half was heroic, but it doesn’t give him a free pass for first half mistakes.

PFF highlighted that the Divisional Round Matchup was Josh Allen’s worst playoff performance in years. Baltimore simply had to capitalize on that:

According to @PFF , Sunday nights game against the Ravens was Josh Allen’s worst playoff performance since 2020

Opportunity missed because of self inflicted wounds

Tough break

— Garrett Ferguson (@GarrettSprints) January 21, 2025

Because they didn’t, it’s time to begrudgingly turn our attention to reloading for the 2025 season. For many, a Super Bowl still appears to be on the horizon, and that sentiment is shared by some of the players:

Colin Cowherd breaks down why Lamar Jackson will one day be a Super Bowl champion pic.twitter.com/i2antrCYjG

— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) January 21, 2025

“He’s going to win a Super Bowl, and I want to be a part of it.”

– Ravens FB Patrick Ricard on Lamar Jackson pic.twitter.com/IhvTFawpXR

— Ravens Nation ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@LIVERavenNation) January 21, 2025

Project Pat is another fan favorite, but he’s one that is hitting the open market this offseason. Brian McFarland walks through the salary cap situation and the names joining Ricard in free agency in the article below:

Ravens 2025 Roster Preview

For me, Ricard, Ar’Darius Washington, Patrick Mekari, and Ronnie Stanley should be brought back, while Malik Harrison, Chris Board, and Tylan Wallace are toss-ups based on price.

The good news is, despite having a number of big name players like Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Ravens should have some money to work with:

.@RavensSalaryCap: “They can make $36 mil in cap space if they restructure Lamar, Marlon, Roquan. And you can trade/cut Andrews, get $11 mil–trade more likely… If there’s some big FA out there, this is the year to do it. Out of character but that’s what they’d have to do.”

— Glenn Clark (@GlennClarkRadio) January 21, 2025

A bit of what I said is missing here. I was only saying that IF they wanted to go all in – 2026 & beyond be damned – they could. Also said it was out of character & that I would not expect it. There are other ways, like exts for LJ8/Humph that would be better than restructures. https://t.co/Um3WksAD9T

— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) January 21, 2025

While McFarland notes that he doesn’t expect a major splash, this is the time for the Ravens to go all-in to take their roster over the top. Further, it’s a fairly young roster that EDC will be working with:

Derrick Henry is 31….

BUT!

Zay Flowers is 24
Rashod Bateman is 25
Isaiah Likely is 24
Kyle Hamilton is 23
Nate Wiggins is 22
Ardarius Washington is a YN

We have enough cap space for Ronnie Stanley Tylan Wallace and Ardarius to return.

…Keep going

— ‏ْ (@WoeeLeek) January 21, 2025

The roster should get even more talented and even younger after a projected 11 draft picks in April’s NFL Draft:

Nick, who is all over this every year, has the Ravens getting four compensatory picks: a 4th, two 5th’s and a 6th.
Ravens picking 27th overall in the first round. They could have as many as 11 draft picks come April. https://t.co/jaI1WGwNAl

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 21, 2025

I expect Baltimore to wheel and deal their way to get their guys in the draft, but how should they approach the superstar trade market? I’ll leave you with the first rumor I’ve seen involving the Ravens this offseason:

NFL RUMORS

The #Chargers and #Ravens are expected to have interest in #Packers Jaire Alexander. pic.twitter.com/aEnjMtoJCZ

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) January 21, 2025

Would this be the right move to upgrade the CB room and fill the hole left by Brandon Stephens’ seemingly inevitable departure? Sound off in the comments!

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