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Ravens Insider: Ravens came close to making NFL history on Kyle Hamilton’s risky lateral


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Perhaps lost in the Ravens’ hectic 41-40 collapse against the Bills was a risky decision made by safety Kyle Hamilton on a 2-point conversion attempt.

With the Ravens leading 34-25 early in the fourth quarter, the Bills attempted a 2-point try to pull within seven. Hamilton intercepted Allen’s pass, effectively ending Buffalo’s chances of making it a one-possession game. Well, that’s until he pitched the ball from the 1-yard line back to linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the end zone.

Hamilton’s decision brought into play the little-known 1-point safety.

Yes, a 1-point safety.

If Van Noy had been tackled or taken a knee in the end zone after Hamilton pitched the ball back to him, the Bills would’ve received one point. Unlike a traditional 2-point safety that would occur during regular game play, the Ravens still would have received the ball on the ensuing kickoff.

Fortunately for Baltimore, Van Noy took the ball just out of the end zone and took a knee at the 2-yard line. The linebacker ended the play instead of trying to create a long return — if the Ravens returned the intercepted pass for a score, it would’ve resulted in two points in their favor. The potential for a 2-point play in Baltimore’s favor is why Hamilton tossed the ball to a teammate, but tossing the ball back into the end zone created a risk.

Coach John Harbaugh was seen on the TV broadcast speaking to Hamilton as he came back to the sideline. Baltimore’s coach liked the interception, but he hated the desperate attempt for an unneeded return. Harbaugh felt the decision was a mental mistake by the fourth-year professional.

“I just questioned whether he actually went to Notre Dame or not,” Harbaugh said at his Monday news conference.

There has never been a 1-point safety in the NFL, but Hamilton came close to making the historic error. Harbaugh says he doesn’t expect the NFL’s highest–paid safety to take that risk twice.

“I thought that was one of the most foolish things I’ve ever seen,” Harbaugh said. “He agreed, and it should never happen again.”

The Ravens got away with that fourth-quarter miscue, but others in the final five minutes handed them their first loss of the season.

Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin.

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