“Shame on Us”: Ravens Safety Kyle Hamilton Doesn’t Hold Back on Pro Bowler’s Absence in Loss to Lions

The Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions delivered a thrilling back-and-forth battle, ending in a 38-30 win for Detroit that felt closer than the score suggests. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton believed the outcome might have changed if a few key players had been available.

After the game, Hamilton didn’t hold back on what he felt about missing help in the lineup. Playing without Kyle Van Noy and Nnamdi Madubuike, he said, “Shame on us if we need a Pro Bowl guy to play good defense.” And, as insider Jonas Shaffer pointed out, Hamilton did recognize the Ravens could have used their support tonight.

Van Noy missed this game as he injured his hamstring during last week’s victory over the Browns. As per CBS Sports, “the 34-year-old could end up being sidelined for multiple weeks.” And Madubuike also sustained the injury (neck) during the same game. Madubuike also didn’t practice at all this week.

Without two of their best players up front, Baltimore struggled to contain Detroit’s run game (224 yards). And they got exposed by Lions QB Jared Goff’s precision passing. The Ravens were helpless as Detroit’s offense marched for two touchdowns, each drive spanning at least 96 yards. And, in the post-game, Hamilton also stressed that the run game was especially tough to handle.

He noted that letting teams run all over you is far more demoralizing than giving up passes. Kyle Hamilton said it hits both mentally and physically, wearing down a defense that usually prides itself on consistency.

It was clear he feels the Ravens need to fix their run defense immediately, and they can’t just assume past success will carry them through tough matchups. For him, this was a wake-up call the unit can’t ignore. So let’s explore what happened in the game.

Kyle Hamilton’s Ravens doesn’t have an answer for Lions

The Ravens aren’t used to getting pushed around, but that’s exactly what happened early. Dan Campbell’s Lions came out physical and set the tone. They controlled the first half at the line of scrimmage. Still, Lamar Jackson gave the Ravens Flock hope when he found Rashod Bateman in the end zone.

That touchdown tied the game at 14-14 right before the break. Then the game turned into a back-and-forth.

Baltimore grabbed the lead, but Detroit answered right back. Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown to even it up. Soon after, the Lions went 96 yards in a drive that left the Ravens reeling. David Montgomery ripped off a 72-yard run, and the series ended with a trick play. St. Brown pitched it to Jahmyr Gibbs, who sprinted into the end zone.

Defensively, the Lions didn’t lock Baltimore down, but they made the key plays. Jackson was sacked multiple times as he tried to escape the pocket. Then Aidan Hutchinson came through in the fourth.

He punched the ball out of Derrick Henry’s hands, and Detroit turned it into a field goal. That mistake gave Jackson a late chance, but the Ravens couldn’t cash in.

Finally, Detroit slammed the door. They sacked Jackson on first down, then stuffed him short on third. After a punt, Campbell stayed aggressive.

On fourth-and-2, he trusted Goff, who hit St. Brown for 20 yards. One play later, Montgomery broke free for a 31-yard score. The Lions silenced doubters, while the Ravens were left facing a hard truth, they got out-muscled and outplayed when it mattered most.