The Baltimore Ravens began their playoff run by beating the Houston Texans in the divisional round and looked dominant in the performance. Baltimore won 34-10 after a pedestrian first half and a commanding second half. At the half, the score was 10-10, making Ravens fans nervous and Texans fans hopeful. After the break, the Ravens scored 24 unanswered points en route to their first playoff win in three years. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was dominant in the game, amassing 252 total yards, including 152 passing and 100 rushing. Jackson was also responsible for four touchdowns; Two rushing, and two passing. The Ravens will host the AFC Championship game against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. This will be the first time Baltimore has hosted an AFC Championship since 1971. At the time, they were the Baltimore Colts and Johnny Unitas was the quarterback. Now, Lamar Jackson is the quarterback, and he hopes to see the return of his favorite target- Mark Andrews.
Andrews suffered a season-ending injury in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals but is looking to make a miraculous postseason return from a severe injury. The Ravens have not made it this far in Andrews’ tenure, so he’s anxious to contribute, But, should the Ravens risk playing Andrews, or shut him down until next season?
Should Ravens Allow Mark Andrews to Return From Injury?
Tight end Mark Andrews was having a fantastic season until the injury bug bit him. Andrews suffered a cracked fibula, and ligament damage to his ankle during a mid-season Thursday Night Football game. After the injury, the team’s mood was somber, assuming Andrews would be out until next season. Surprisingly, Andrews began hanging around in the locker room and walking without crutches recently, giving reason to think he may return. Also, Andrews practiced with the team recently, even making a leaping catch with little to no caution. Although Andrews is creeping toward a return, he was not activated for the Ravens’ playoff win against the Texans. The Ravens won the game handily without Andrews.
That begs the question: should the Ravens even risk playing Mark Andrews at all this postseason? Baltimore has not struggled in Andrews’ absence, which is not an indictment on the tight end, but rather a testament to the team’s fortitude. Before the injury, Andrews led the team in yards, catches, and touchdowns. Since the injury, players like Isaiah Likely and Zay Flowers have stepped up to fill the void, making it virtually unnoticeable. Andrews is a star, but his absence has helped Baltimore realize the potential on the roster. Baltimore has a legitimate shot to become Super Bowl champions as currently constructed, so there’s not much reward in risking a franchise cornerstone.
Andrews’ Impact on the Ravens
Mark Andrews has been a dominating force for the Ravens since he entered the league in 2018. Andrews quickly became Lamar Jackson’s favorite target and has served as the number-one receiver for years. In Andrews’ six seasons, he has never posted under 500 receiving yards, including this year’s injury-shortened season. Andrews has three seasons of 800+ receiving yards and posted a whopping 1,361 yards in 2021 on his way to an All-Pro selection. Andrews is arguably the best tight end in the NFL and has carried the burden of being Lamar Jackson’s only reliable receiver for seasons at a time. Although the Ravens have been successful without Andrews, his value cannot be understated.
Main Photo: [Tommy Gilligan] – USA Today Sports
