The Ravens defense is ready to prove itself against Josh Allen, Bills

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – When Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was asked what impressed him most about Josh Allen, he didn’t talk much about the Buffalo Bills quarterback’s strong arm and powerful running ability. That’s obvious, he said.

What particularly impresses Hamilton is the way Allen gives his best when circumstances are at their worst.

“He believes he will make a game out of nothing,” Hamilton said. “If someone misses a block, they can escape a sack. He can get away from a DB or a D-lineman, then roll to his left and shoot the ball onto a rope 60 yards down the line.”

When the Ravens (1-2) take on the undefeated Bills (3-0) on Sunday night (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), Baltimore’s underperforming pass defense can showcase its confidence to a national audience. This is a proud defense – it made NFL history by finishing first in fewest points, most sacks and most takeaways last season – but it has lacked playmaking ability this season, particularly late in games.

The Ravens, who have given up the most passing yards per game this season (291.7), believe they are up to the challenge against Allen, an early MVP candidate.

“I think this week is a great week to prove ourselves, but that’s every week in this league,” Hamilton said. “I think for us it’s more about being consistent out here in practice and the communication, the execution (and) transferring all those things to the field, which I know we’re more than capable of doing.”

Baltimore has given up 875 passing yards, 108 more than any other team and the third-most passing yards ever given up by the franchise after three games. Teams threw 117 times against the Ravens, the second-most in the league, as opponents struggled to run the ball and fell behind early.

The Ravens had trouble slowing down the No. 1 wide receiver. Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders and Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs each recorded 100-yard games against them: 110 and 103 yards, respectively.

Baltimore struggled to contain tight ends up the middle. Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers (98 yards) and Dallas Cowboys’ Jake Ferguson (95) combined for 193 yards.

“We don’t let the numbers get in the way of what we do,” Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens said. “We’re playing really well. We just have to keep it going into the fourth quarter. Once we do that, the lights are going to go out, man.”

In Sunday’s 28-25 win in Dallas, the Ravens allowed 379 passing yards and two touchdowns to Dak Prescott, but didn’t play as badly as the stats show. Baltimore forced Prescott to throw into a tight window (less than a yard at the time of the throw) on 35% of his pass attempts, the third-highest mark of any game in Prescott’s nine-year career.

“We’re in a league where the guys on the other side are also getting millions of dollars,” Hamilton said. “So, they’re good, (and) we’re good, and sometimes there are bang-bang games like that. Sometimes they go your way, (and) sometimes they don’t; it’s just part of the league.”

There are other times when the Ravens were out of sync. In the season opener in Kansas City, Hamilton admitted he made the wrong decision, giving Xavier Worthy a chance for a 35-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

On Sunday, Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert went uncovered for a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. It appeared Ravens center Roquan Smith expected cornerback Marlon Humphrey to fall behind Tolbert on the play, but defensive coordinator Zach Orr took responsibility for the miscue.

“We definitely have a sour taste in our mouths, even after how beaten up we were last week,” Smith said. “(We) just want to show the world who we are as a defense. We’re excited about the duel and know exactly what we bring to the table and it’s about playing four full quarters. And if we do that, we’ll enjoy our chances. I can promise you that.

The Ravens have stifled Allen before, despite losing two of three meetings, including the playoffs. Allen averaged just 154.3 yards rushing against Baltimore while throwing four touchdowns and four interceptions.

But Allen is off to the best start of his career this season, completing 75% of his passes for 634 yards. He has thrown seven touchdowns and no interceptions, for a QBR of 92.6, the highest of any player through three games since ESPN began tracking the statistic in 2006.

“He’s one of the best in the business at what he does,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He is unique; he plays his style; he does it his way. They definitely build the offense around him (and) all the attributes he has – throwing, running, running the offense, reading things (and) reading things. “As far as passing goes – he brings it to every level and he has a really good cast around him, so it will be a big challenge.”