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The Baltimore Ravens jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead in Week 10, thanks to a Kyle Hamilton pick-six, before suffering a 33-31 gut-wrenching loss to the Cleveland Browns.
It was such an athletic play, that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski had some interesting praise for Hamilton.
Speaking to NBC Sports’ Peter King, Stefanski told King, “That first pass play, you gotta tip your cap to Kyle Hamilton. He’s like Wemby [Victor Wembanyama] out there playing nickel. You gotta just say ‘All right, let’s go start this game over.”
Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick of the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft, is considered a generational-type prospect, in part due to his 7-foot-4 frame and shooting ability as a big man. Hamilton was also a highly touted first-round talent and “unicorn” type of defender coming out of college.
The Notre Dame product was coming off a safety blitz on the second play of the game, when he tipped a Deshaun Watson pass to himself and ran into the end zone.
“We got in that hole early,” Stefanski told King. However, the Browns were able to pull off the 14-point comeback even though they led for zero seconds of the game.
Kyle Hamilton Is Having a Pro Bowl Season for Ravens
Hamilton was drafted 14th overall by the Ravens during the 2022 NFL draft. He has grown into a versatile piece of this Ravens’ elite defense.
Through Week 10, Hamilton has 53 combined tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defended and 3.0 sacks. The interceptions, passes defended, and sacks are all better than his rookie year (Hamilton is on pace to shatter last year’s combined tackles total).
The interception of Watson showed Hamilton’s athletic talent and natural ability to rush the quarterback. Hamilton is the second-best safety at rushing the quarterback with a “90.2” grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Hamilton brings a jack-of-all trade type ability to Baltimore’s defense, which ranks first in points allowed and second in yards allowed.
His 3.0 sacks are part of the Ravens’ league-leading 39.0 sacks, which is 8.0 more than the next two teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.
The Ravens safety unit continues to develop into one of the deepest and most versatile corps across the league, including Hamilton, breakout Geno Stone and star veteran Marcus Williams.
Hamilton Taking on Leadership Role in Year 2
Hamilton spoke to the media following the loss to the Browns and did not mince words about the blown opportunity.
“I feel like guys let off the gas a little bit. Not point any fingers at all. Just from top to bottom as [an] organization I feel we could do a better job locking in.”
He gave credit to the Browns but was focused on the defense’s inability to get off the field on key downs.
His criticism extended to himself as well saying, “I’m at fault for that you know, I could have been a little more intense at the same time.”
Hamilton’s evolution into a leader of the defense, with Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey and Justin Madubuike could be the difference come playoff time.
At the same time, it is important to remember there is a key divisional game against the Bengals and Hamilton seems to understand that saying, “Luckily we got Cincinnati coming on Thursday, change it.”
The Ravens will look to avoid falling out of the AFC North division lead with a loss to the Bengals in Week 11. Hamilton seemed to speak for the team saying, “I feel like we just want to get back out there and make it right.”
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