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Video Shows Bills Got Really Lucky on Game-Winning Field Goal

Andy Nesbitt

Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton came so close to blocking Matt Prater's game-winning field goal for the Bills.
Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton came so close to blocking Matt Prater's game-winning field goal for the Bills. / @SNFonNBC
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The Buffalo Bills pulled off what could eventually be the wildest comeback victory of the entire 2025 NFL season in Sunday night's opener against the Baltimore Ravens as they scored 16 straight points in the final four minutes to notch a 41-40 come-from-behind win that was secured by Matt Prater's 32-yard field goal as time expired.

While the Bills were more than happy to celebrate their thrilling season-opening win, a closer look at that final kick shows that they got extremely lucky because it sure seemed like Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton could have blocked it. Heck, he might have even gotten a little piece of the ball before it sailed through the uprights.

Hamilton was able to get through the Bills line virtually untouched and had a clear path to Prater. He seemed to hop a little early instead of diving out to block the kick.

Here's that game-winning kick. Watch Hamilton on the left side of the line:

Here's a closer look at Hamilton just missing out one what would have been a wild way for the Ravens to get a win:

That was pretty close!

This might have only been a Week 1 game but that victory by the Bills could come up huge later in the year if these two teams face off in the playoffs again. An inch could be the difference in Baltimore having to go back to Buffalo for a playoff game if both teams go on to have the type of seasons they're expected to have.

What a way to finish off the first full Sunday of NFL action.

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Andy Nesbitt
ANDY NESBITT

Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.

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