The Baltimore Ravens hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16 of the 2024 NFL common season, in a pivotal matchup for the AFC North rivals. With a win, the Steelers would have clinched the division, however Baltimore’s 34-17 victory not solely booked a playoff spot for the Ravens, however pulled them even with Pittsburgh within the division.
A race Baltimore would finally win, incomes the precise to host the Steelers on Wild Card Weekend.
It was a one-score sport on the half, and the Steelers started the third quarter with possession of the soccer. On the very first play of the third quarter, Pittsburgh ran a toss play to Jaylen Warren on the left facet, which was stopped for no achieve by Baltimore security Kyle Hamilton. Aligned within the secondary, Hamilton learn the play completely, crashing downhill by way of the opening to cut Warren down on the line of scrimmage:
Quick-forward to the beginning of the fourth quarter. Once more, it was a one-score sport at the moment, with the Steelers going through a 4th-and-6 scenario simply inside Baltimore territory. Mike Tomlin left his offense on the sphere, and Russell Wilson appeared deep to Calvin Austin close to the purpose line.
Racing over from his deep security spot to interrupt up the play was none aside from Hamilton:
These two performs, one on the line of scrimmage and one 45 yards away from it, are only a snapshot from a single sport, however they communicate volumes about what Hamilton means to the Ravens’ protection and the flexibility he brings to Baltimore.
They’re additionally examples of why the Ravens simply made him the highest-paid security in NFL historical past. Hamilton and Baltimore agreed on a four-year, $100.4 million deal that options $82 million assured. This eclipses the earlier mark of $45 million assured for a security, in response to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter.
“I believe the deal speaks to how we really feel about Kyle — highest paid security within the NFL,” Ravens normal supervisor Eric DeCosta stated to the media on Wednesday. “That’s a accountability we don’t take evenly. We’ve had just a few gamers through the years grow to be the very best paid at their place, and I believe while you’re the very best paid, that’s an vital distinction.
“And I believe Kyle’s confirmed he’s going to hold that very effectively, and we anticipate him to proceed to be an influence participant on our protection for years to return.”
Baltimore has seen a few of the NFL’s finest come by way of M&T Financial institution Stadium through the years, together with on the security place. Ed Reed redefined the place and set a brand new commonplace for a era, however Hamilton’s skill-set — and flexibility as outlined above — assist set him aside.
Take charting knowledge from Professional Soccer Focusfor instance. (Subscription required). Based on their knowledge, Hamilton lined up actually in every single place for the Ravens protection final season. Out of his 1,043 defensive snaps, 374 of them got here aligned within the field, 280 of them got here with Hamilton within the slot, 17 of them got here with him aligned as an out of doors cornerback, 306 of them got here with him at free security, and he even lined up alongside the line of defense 66 instances.
His versatility goes past simply his pre-snap alignment and continues after the play begins. Whilst you would possibly see him operating the alley towards the run as on the primary play, or dropping deep in protection on the second, you might be additionally prone to see him screaming off the sting on a blitz, or in protection within the flat, as he’s right here towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
In a league that values versatility, Hamilton’s stands out.
And it’s a cause the Ravens made him the highest-paid security in NFL historical past immediately.
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