Ravens Offense 'Trending in Right Direction' Despite Colts Loss - Mark Andrews

Despite the Baltimore Ravens succumbing to their first loss of the season after a clunky offensive performance, tight end Mark Andrews insists that things are moving in the right direction.

The Baltimore Ravens' new offensive scheme under Todd Monken has been up and down through the first three weeks of the season. 

But that is part of learning a new scheme, and sitting at 2-1 after the 22-19 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts isn't the end of the world for Baltimore.

While the offense is still a work in progress, All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews insists that despite the uneven performances in the first three weeks, things are going well.

“I think we’re trending in the right direction,” Andrews said on UnSportsmanLike with Evan, Canty, and Michelle. “I think we’re getting a lot of critics right now with the last game (loss vs. the Colts), but we’re going to be able to move the ball, able to be versatile, a lot of people touching the ball, making plays and when you have a guy like Lamar [Jackson] back there, it's hard to stop all these different playmakers and Lamar. So we’re going to spread the ball around and make it hard for a defense to stop."

Against the Colts, the Ravens had ample opportunities to win the game, but unfortunately, none could be taken. Lamar Jackson echoed this as several offensive missteps would cost the Ravens a win at home. 

Mark Andrews insists that despite the loss, the Ravens offense is moving in the right direction / Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

For Andrews, the teachings that will come out of the loss will be valuable, and he stated that the team has to learn when to put the foot on the throat of the opposition and put the game away.

“At the end of the day, the team played well,” Andrews said. “I think we fought and gave ourselves chances; we didn’t take advantage of it. So, for us, it’s all about finishing games, learning when to put the foot down, put the hammer down, and put teams away. That’s just playing efficient ball, having all 11 guys on the field doing the right things on all sides of the ball.

“I think if we’re able to do that, then we will be able to put teams away.”

The Ravens are still trying to come to grips with Monken's scheme and, for the most part, have been getting wins along the way. But Sunday's loss to the Colts shows there is little to no margin for error in the NFL.

Up next for Baltimore is a Cleveland Browns team fresh off a 27-3 beatdown on the Tennessee Titans.

If the Ravens get into a winning position on Sunday, as Andrews stated, the team needs to put the hammer down and secure the win. With each passing week, the players will get comfortable in Monken's offense, and fans hope that it will translate into smooth performances...and wins.