Mark Andrews: We practiced the fourth down play and it worked

Ravens running back Derrick Henry had a message for tight end Mark Andrews before the most momentous play of the game on Monday night against the Chargers.

The Ravens were on their own 16-yard line at the two-minute warning in the first half, and head coach John Harbaugh chose to do so. He let the Eagles pin him, daring Andrews to take a snap before being shoved from behind on a sneak. Henry said he told Andrews that he would “squeeze the shit out of you,” and that’s exactly what he did when he picked up the first down.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson hit wide receiver Rashod Bateman for a touchdown a few plays later and the Ravens had a lead they never relinquished en route to a 30-23 victory. After the game, Andrews said the play was something the Ravens had had in their pockets for some time.

“Yeah. Everyone has their own version of it,” Andrews said. “We practiced that and it came out big in a big moment.”

The Ravens converted two more fourth downs during the night and Harbaugh said, “The most important thing was who we were playing and the idea that you just have to try to keep possession of the ball as long as possible.” It helps when you focus on that trusts its players to play anywhere on the field, and Harbaugh’s approach proved successful Monday.