As the Baltimore Ravens prepare for their AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Buffalo Bills, one major question looms: Can they contain Josh Allen and prevent the big plays that have fueled Buffalo’s success this season? Here’s a breakdown of where the Ravens stand defensively and the challenges they’ll face on Sunday.

Breaking Down Recent Defensive Lapses

The Ravens’ secondary has mostly been a strength this season, but occasional lapses against the Steelers raised some concerns:

1. Van Jefferson’s 30-Yard Touchdown:
   A miscommunication between Kyle Hamilton and Brandon Stephens led to a breakdown in coverage.
2. George Pickens’ Sideline Catch:
   Despite tight coverage by Nate Wiggins and Ar’Darius Washington, Russell Wilson’s perfect throw and Pickens’ spectacular catch proved unstoppable.

Verdict: These were outliers in an otherwise strong stretch for Baltimore’s defense, which has been effective at limiting big plays.

Targeting Brandon Stephens

Brandon Stephens has been a frequent target for opposing quarterbacks. Against the Steelers, he gave up six receptions for 86 yards on six targets, per Pro Football Focus. Head Coach John Harbaugh sees this as both a challenge and an opportunity.

“Now we have an idea where you’re going to kind of target. We can roll our coverage that way. We can put the strength of our coverage over there, too,” Harbaugh said.

The Ravens could also lean more on Tre’Davious White, though he has shown vulnerability at times, including a 37-yard catch allowed against Pittsburgh’s Mike Williams.

Key to Victory: Limiting Big Plays

Josh Allen’s ability to extend plays and connect on deep passes makes him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league:

• Big Play Stats: Allen’s 54 passes of 20+ yards rank sixth in the NFL, just two behind Lamar Jackson.
• Recent Wild Card Performance: Allen threw two long touchdowns (24 and 55 yards) against Denver, showcasing his explosiveness.

The Ravens experienced Allen’s big-play potential firsthand in Week 4, when he connected on a 52-yard heave to Khalil Shakir and several back-shoulder throws to Keon Coleman.

Ravens’ Counter Strategy

Baltimore’s defense is well-versed in dealing with mobile, big-armed quarterbacks thanks to daily practices against Lamar Jackson. Defensive adjustments to consider:

1. Roll Coverage: Use additional help on the side of the field being targeted.
2. Contain the Pocket: Focus on keeping Allen from extending plays outside the pocket.
3. Disrupt Timing: Press receivers and force Allen into hurried throws.

Final Thoughts

While the Ravens’ defense has had its hiccups, they are built to handle a challenge like Josh Allen. The key will be minimizing big plays while relying on their pass rush and secondary adjustments to stifle Buffalo’s offense.

What do you think, Ravens fans? Do the Ravens have what it takes to contain Allen and advance to the AFC Championship? Let us know in the comments!