It’s Ravens vs. Bills this Sunday night. And the game has all the makings of a classic clash. On one side, there’s Josh Allen, Buffalo’s powerhouse quarterback, known for bulldozing defenders and making jaw-dropping plays. On the other hand, the Ravens have built their reputation on grit and relentless defense. They are ready to test Josh’s limits. Adding to the intrigue, Ravens legend Ed Reed shared his thoughts, and they are intriguing. 

The Hall of Famer Ed Reed appeared on the Up & Adams show on Jan 15, where host Kay Adams hit him with a big question: “Can you stop Josh Allen from running?” And Reed’s response was, “You can stop Josh from running just like you can stop any quarterback from running… if you know what to do on defense if you’ve got the players that can stop it.” The former Ravens safety thinks Josh Allen struggles when he’s under relentless pressure. It’s that constant heat that can mess with his rhythm and decision-making. Building on that, he added, “So we would come at Josh Allen would have to make throws. He would have to complete the football. And show me he can complete the ball after he’s getting hit all day. And it’s proven that he can’t.” That’s interesting.

Reed further mentioned that practicing against Lamar Jackson gives the Ravens’ defense an advantage. Facing their QB’s speed and unpredictability has them well-prepared to handle a dual-threat quarterback like Josh Allen. The Bills QB is rolling into the divisional game with 531 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs. This season, Allen’s got 307 completions on 483 attempts, with 6 interceptions.

With those stats in mind, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh also shared his thoughts on the QB ahead of their face-off.

John Harbaugh’s take on Josh Allen ahead of the divisional clash

Before the Ravens face off against the Bills in the divisional round, John Harbaugh opened up about his thoughts on Josh Allen. And the Ravens HC sees him as more than just a talented quarterback. Harbaugh referred to Allen as the “ultimate-type competitor” and shared an interesting tidbit about his fiery personality. The 62-year-old took it back to Allen’s rookie year, recalling a moment when the QB, after getting hit on the sideline, swung at Terrell Suggs. Harbaugh, as he recalled the incident, said, “I remember he came over in the sideline, and him and [Terrell] Suggs or something. I don’t know what happened. He was hit on the sideline or something, and he came up swinging. I respected that. I did tell him, I said, ‘Woah, woah. Calm down.'” He didn’t stop there.

The Ravens HC also mentioned running into Josh Allen at The Masters the following spring. He recalled hanging out with him. “I saw him at The Masters like that next year – that spring – and had a chance to hang out with him. He was there with Sam Darnold. And we had a few laughs about that whole deal, but I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a competitive guy,” added coach Harbaugh. 

This time around, Coach Harbaugh isn’t planning on hanging out in Buffalo like he did at The Masters with Allen. He’s there to win and take one more step toward the Super Bowl. It’s all business now. So, it’s going to be interesting to see whether the Ravens’ defense can stop Josh Allen, just like Ed Reed suggested, or if the Bills’ O-line will overwhelm them.  And let’s not forget Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on the other side. There’s plenty of talent all around. Both teams have some serious firepower, so it’s tough to say who’s got the edge. Will the Ravens’ defense rise to the occasion, or will Allen’s arm and legs prove too much? It’s anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be one tough battle.