The Baltimore Ravens have harnessed the thunderous power of their ground game, riding it like a trusty steed to victory in their last two showdowns. However, while the rushing attack has been as potent as a Peruvian “ají,” it has inadvertently cast a shadow over one of the team’s pivotal offensive talents.
The Curious Case of Mark Andrews
Tight end Mark Andrews, usually a linchpin in the Ravens’ offensive maneuvers, has found himself in unfamiliar territory. Since Week 2, he has been starved of receptions, with only a meager one target in each victorious skirmish against the Cowboys and Bills. Through the four-game stretch, the numbers whisper a tale of underutilization: a mere six catches for 65 yards—quite a far cry from his career average of 4.3 receptions per game.
Jackson’s Stand on Andrews’ Role
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, the field marshal himself, offered a candid perspective during a press conference on Wednesday. “Sometimes, you might not get the ball,” he mused, “but with all these cracks we have on our offense, everyone’s chipping in to help us clinch wins, including Mark.” Jackson painted Andrews as the ultimate team player, involved in every wily route run, every defensive back drawn away, each block like an artist shaping clay.
Baltimore Receivers: Where’s the Love?
Alas, Andrews isn’t alone in the desert of scarce receptions. Ravens’ receivers as a whole have been mere ghostly specters on the stats sheet. Over the past two weeks, Jackson has wielded his passing arm with a conservative finesse—just 15 attempts against Dallas and a slightly more ambitious 18 against Buffalo. Tight end Isaiah Likely, another cog in the receiving machine, has managed to scrape together only two receptions for 30 yards in this time frame.
Running Game Reigns Supreme
As long as Baltimore continues to rely heavily on Derrick Henry and their ground-and-pound tactic, Andrews’ role as a target may remain a trickle rather than a flood. The Ravens’ ethos of running power mirrors a fierce “torito,” and though the air attack may be grounded, there’s no doubt it’s all part of their strategy!
