Ravens' John Harbaugh says Bill Belichick is the best coach of his generation

The Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots have established one of the greatest rivalries in the NFL today. 

New England defeated Baltimore 35-31 in the divisional round of the playoffs, their third postseason meeting in the past four years. 

It appears that the Ravens and Patriots have engendered a mutual respect for each other, and Baltimore's head coach John Harbaugh issued the highest praise for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on Friday. 

"He's been a great mentor, a great friend. I have the utmost respect for him," Harbaugh said to NFL Media, according to Chris Wesseling. "Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of our generation, without question. I don't think anybody would doubt that. Nothing is going to change that. 

"He's the toughest guy we have to go against every single year game plan-wise and trying to beat his team. They have a great team, they're where they deserve to be, they're where they belong and I just consider him my friend."

Belichick is seeking to win his fourth Super Bowl as head coach of the Patriots, after winning three titles in a four-year span (2001, 2003, 2004). 

The Patriots' head coach also won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants as their defensive coordinator in 1986 and 1990.

Baltimore and New England are poised to battle for AFC supremacy for years to come and it's great to see that a sense of respect exists between the two rival clubs.