Kyle Van Noy Thought About Scoring on Interception Before Handing Off to Alohi Gilman
The highlight of the Ravens' 24-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday was the 95-yard interception return for a touchdown that was started by outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and finished by safety Alohi Gilman.
With the Ravens leading by 17 midway through the fourth quarter, Van Noy picked off Joe Burrow at the Ravens' 5-yard line. Van Noy returned it 11 yards before handing the ball to Gilman, who took it 84 yards to complete the pick-six.
Van Noy commented on the spectacular play on âThe KVN Showâ on YouTube.
"My first thought process was to run to the end zone because it looked really good that far away," Van Noy said. "And then I thought for a second in my brain, I was like, 'Nah, we got to hand this ball off to Alohi,' who I turn and see and said, 'Take it, my friend. You got it. Touchdown.'"
The 28-year-old Gilman, who is six years younger than Van Noy, said after the game that he yelled for Van Noy to pitch him the ball.
"Obviously, KV's got a little age on him, so I was like, 'Might be a good time to do that,'" Gilman said with a grin.
Per Next Gen Stats, Gilman reached a top speed of 20.13 mph on his 84-yard sprint. Van Noy hit 16.22 mph as he built up speed on his 11-yard scamper.
Van Noy believes he would have scored himself if he hadn't handed the ball off. That's his story and he's sticking to it.
"I know there's going to be some people like, 'Damn, Unc, why you give the ball up?'" Van Noy said. "For a split second, I feel like I would have scored. You know what? I know I would have scored because there is some elite blocking out there. But we'll never know, because Alohi scored and that's all that matters."
Ravens 'Remain Relatively Dangerous' Heading Into Season's Final Weeks
The Ravens' odds to make the playoffs fell to 37 percent after the Pittsburgh Steelers' 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins on "Monday Night Football," but Sports Illustratedâs Albert Breer said Baltimore "remains relatively dangerous."
"So what to make of a Ravens team that lost four in a row, then won five straight, then lost two before Sunday's shutout win in frigid Cincinnati?" Breer wrote. "It depends on when you ask that question.
"But for this week, the Ravens looked like a team that's learned and grown from its stumbles, in coming back and blanking a Joe Burrow offense, while running for 189 yards in the cold."
The Ravens (7-7), who trail the Steelers (8-6) by a game in the AFC North, enter the final three weeks of the season in control of their own destiny.
However, as ESPN's Jamison Hensley noted, every scenario for the Ravens capturing an unprecedented AFC North title includes winning at Pittsburgh in the season finale.
The Ravens and Steelers both have tough games this Sunday. Baltimore hosts the AFC East-leading New England Patriots (11-3) on "Sunday Night Football," while Pittsburgh faces the Lions (8-6) in Detroit earlier on Sunday.
Malaki Starks Receives B+ Grade for Rookie Season
NFL.comâs Bucky Brooks graded all 32 first-round picks, and safety Malaki Starks received a B+. Only seven players received a higher grade than Starks, the 27th-overall selection.
Brooks said Starks' play has been one of the highlights for a defense that has had an up-and-down season.
"The playmaking safety's insertion into the starting lineup enabled Kyle Hamilton to spend more time near the box, while upgrading the unit's takeaway potential with his ballhawking presence," Brooks wrote.
Starks, who has appeared in all 14 games and made 13 starts, is tied for second on the team in interceptions (two) and is fourth in tackles (74).
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: News & Notes: Teddye Buchanan's Rookie Season Ends With Torn ACL
- Defensive tackle Travis Jones was named to Pro Football Focusâ Team of the Week for the second time in the past three weeks.
