The Detroit Lions had a fiery game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 12. It was a matchup both teams wanted to win badly. However, there could only be one winner (unless you’re a fan of the Packers or Cowboys), and that was the Chiefs, who walked out of Arrowhead Stadium with a 30-17 victory.
### Heated Moments and Player Discipline
The Lions vs. Chiefs game featured several heated moments. The most high-profile incident occurred after the game when Brian Branch brushed off Patrick Mahomes and hit Chiefs player JuJu Smith-Schuster. As a result, the NFL has suspended Branch for one game.
Branch wasn’t the only Detroit player facing discipline for their actions during the game. Each week, the NFL penalizes players for conduct during the previous week’s games. According to the NFL’s website, these measures are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rule violations that may result in accountability measures, with new punishment reports released every Saturday afternoon.
### Detroit Lions Players Fined by the NFL
This week, two Detroit Lions players were hit with fines for their conduct during the Chiefs game:
– **Alex Anzalone** has been fined $12,172 for “unnecessary roughness” and “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.”
– **Tyler Lacy** was fined $5,722 for the same offenses.
This information was detailed in the NFL’s Week 6 report.
The highest fines this week went to Tennessee’s L’Jarius Sneed, who must pay $23,186 for “unnecessary roughness” involving “use of a helmet,” and Pittsburgh’s Patrick Queen, who was fined for a “blow to the head/neck” of the Browns’ quarterback.
According to the NFL, all collected fines are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation, supporting legends in need, and the NFL Foundation, which furthers the health, safety, and wellness of athletes across all levels—including youth football—and the communities supporting the game.
### Controversial Calls in the Lions vs. Chiefs Game
The game was also filled with some questionable calls by officials. Early on, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff appeared to score a touchdown, but it was called back by the referees who stated that Goff and the Lions’ offense had not executed the trick play properly. The NFL overturned the touchdown after review.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke about the incident during his Wednesday, October 15, appearance on 97.1 FM The Ticket. Campbell shared that he was informed the league office in New York City had told the on-field crew to overturn the touchdown.
However, Craig Wrolstad, the head referee for the game, told reporters after the matchup that they never received any such call from the New York office regarding that play.
So, what really happened? That remains unclear. But what we do know is that the Detroit Lions are still performing strongly this year. Let’s hope they continue their momentum and rock all the way to the postseason.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/detroit-lions/nfl-makes-final-decision-punishment-2-players/