Stats do a lot in football, and fallout does the same. Let us look at the divisional playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills that wore a 27-25 scoreboard, but one thing played out the whole game. It happened when Mark Andrews, a fullback in the corner of the end zone, couldn’t convert a two-point that could have taken the Ravens to overtime. With 27-25 and a 1-point conversion, only one arc of the game—the two-point conversion—would have put the Ravens into overtime. Mark Andrews, with his hands wide open in the end zone, missed it. The mucked action occurred, fans turned up to social media, and let their displeasure known.

Andrews, Baltimore’s offensive center, played 55 receptions for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns this season in 2024–a tremendous season, despite his early and late errors at the Ravens’ vital playoff matchup, the Ravens’ fans were questioning his ability to win games. Andrews made a difference for the team throughout the season by giving it so much. But it all drained away as fans turned their backs, driven by anger, depression, and even cruelty, despite it being his first fumble since 2019.

From death threats to donations: Bills Mafia’s touchdown of kindness

What was initially considered an awful chapter of Mark Andrews’ career, due to fans sending death threats to the TE, ended up better because of the generosity of a rival fanbase. Andrews chose not to stay for the post-game presser after the Ravens’ elimination in the playoffs and received multiple death threats and hateful tweets from the angry Baltimore fandom. The Bills Mafia, known for their fiery character and goodwill, eventually decided to make things right.

Seeing this with such force, Bills fans went to the GoFundMe for Andrews’ organization, which helps juveniles with diabetes. The campaign got big enough, with over $11,097 donated and spreading sympathy all over the NFL. The fan that first put up this stated, “It’s bigger than football. Let’s show some love.” This campaign not only highlighted Andrews’ struggle with Type 1 diabetes but also highlighted his love for programs like theJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Andrews’ activism isn’t limited to this. For example, in the NFL’s campaign “My Cause, My Cleats”, Andrews proudly displayed his custom cleats and donated money for JDRF, and last Christmas, he was able to get Pat McAfee to donate $50,000 to diabetes research when he scored his fifth game in succession. Bills Mafia gave a new layer of humanity to the competitive sport that so often happens in professional sports and reminded fans that even rivals can stand up for one cause.

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John Harbaugh, the Ravens head coach, echoed Jackson’s claim and said the loss was about their team. “It’s football. This is how it works,” said Harbaugh about the challenges of stacking playoff wins, and also came in support of Andrews. “We wouldn’t be here without Mark Andrews.”

When Baltimore goes into another year of soul-search, Jacksons’ powerful commentary on the game after the loss serves as a reminder. From turnovers to defensive weapon increases to reinforcing identity, the Ravens need to do it again. As he put it best, “I’m tired of being right there.”

Lamar Jackson: Rallying the Ravens through frustration

Andrews is getting internet revenge, but Lamar Jackson can speak the words and go on like he is in the head. He stood up, much like the leader Baltimore fans know. “Tonight, the turnovers—we can’t have that s— That’s why we lost the game,” He was honest and painted a clear picture for the team trying to take the chink off another game loss.

Even after two costly mistakes, Jackson did not blame TE Andrews for it. “Mark’s been busting his behind all season. I’m just as hurt as he is,” Jackson said. This is not just a fad—Jackson’s ability to rally the Ravens late in the game (including an eight-play, 88-yard drive) proves his strength. His 24-yard touchdown run ended up being a action-packed attempt that could have led Baltimore to tie it.

Jackson’s playoff drought and struggles are getting worse each year. With only 3-5 playoff games, it is easy for critics to aspire to comparisons to Peyton Manning’s early years who saw just as much scrutiny but was defeated twice in two Super Bowls. Jackson is a guy just like Manning in the early years and is tired of coming close and missing out. “We have to get it in the wall. We need to get it on the ticket,” Jackson says, with a lot of expectations weighing on him.

The loss in the divisional round is bittersweet for Mark Andrews and Lamar Jackson. Andrews found new partners in Bill Mafia who converted hate into hope and raised money for something that was in his heart. The question now is: Can they come together and as Jackson said, “punch in that ticket.”?