Aspiring MVP, Josh Allen’s biggest test comes against a powerful Ravens’ defense
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has had a memorable season that has continued into the postseason, with a wildcard win over the Denver Broncos.
As great as that win was, Baltimore will be a completely different animal.
Playing at home, with a 9-0 record, Allen will need all the help he can get from the Buffalo faithful, because he may not have the upper-hand at Highmark Stadium.
Baltimore will press with their pass rush and run-stopping ability, which are some of the best in the league.
The Ravens have sacked opposing quarterbacks 54 times. That is the second-highest total in the NFL.
Edge Kyle Van Noy has a Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass-rush rating of 74.2, which is 22nd amongst rushers. He’s number four in sacks with 12.5, to go along with his 14 tackles for losses. On the other side of the line, Odafe Oweh is not too far behind, as both players are in the top 24 in pass-rush rating, as well as in the top 18 in winningest edge-rushers.
The run-stopping ability is astounding thanks to All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, totaling 154 combined tackles, which is fifth in the league.
While safety Kyle Hamilton is playing on a defense that has given up the second-most passing yards, the Notre Dame graduate is top 10 amongst all defensive players in PFF run-defense rating (89.4).
As a whole, the Ravens have allowed the fewest rushing yards, and the fewest first downs by rushing.
They will heavily challenge the Bills’ running ability, whether it comes from Allen, or James Cook, who has looked so good thus far.
Even while in coverage, Hamilton can get the job done. In fact, he, fellow safety Ar’Darius Washington and cornerback Marlon Humphrey are ALL in the top 11 in PFF pass-coverage rating.
The three superstars have a combined 32 pass deflections out of the Ravens’ 82 total defenses, which is sixth-highest in the league.
Of the 18 regular season and playoff games played this season by Baltimore, their defense had the fourth-highest pass-coverage rating in their game against the Bills. Therefore, Allen and Buffalo should know what they are up against.
What speaks to the multidimensional talent of Hamilton and Humphrey, is the fact that individually, both players have played more run-defense snaps than the recently All-Pro designate Smith.
Lamar Jackson, on the other hand, will be going up against a defense that ranks 27th in PFF run-defense rating, 13th in tackling rating, 31st in pass-coverage rating: all worse than Baltimore.
The only favorable defensive stat for Buffalo is their pass-rush rating, which ranks sixth in the league. This is courtesy of Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, who are both in the top 13 for winningest pass-rushing defensive tackles. Oliver is also ninth for winningest run-stopping defensive tackles.
Edge Greg Rousseau has a pass-rush rating of 81.9, good enough for tenth amongst edge rushers.
With that, it’s clear it is more of an uphill battle for the former Wyoming signal caller. Nonetheless, as the saying goes: To be the best, you gotta beat the best.
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