The Detroit Lions were the only team penalized after their matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, as no Chiefs players received fines.
Lions fans hoping for some accountability following Detroit’s Week 6 loss to Kansas City won’t find any relief in the NFL’s latest fine report.
Two Lions defenders—Alex Anzalone and Tyler Lacy—were fined for uncalled tripping penalties, with Anzalone docked $12,172 and Lacy fined $5,722. The Detroit News’ Richard Silva later shared clips of both incidents.
Many Detroit supporters argued that Chiefs players committed finable offenses as well. For instance, quarterback Patrick Mahomes appeared to spin the ball and flex in Brian Branch’s direction after scoring, which could be interpreted as taunting. Others countered that Mahomes wasn’t targeting Branch, that he pointed toward a Lions defender to indicate a penalty, and that the flex was his usual celebration. It’s up for interpretation.
Fans also questioned whether JuJu Smith-Schuster deserved a fine for a block in the back that led to Branch’s post-game outburst. Normally, a blindside block carries a $17,389 fine for a first violation, yet Smith-Schuster wasn’t disciplined.
The reason may be that the play didn’t qualify as a blindside block under the rulebook. The rule states: “It is a foul if a player initiates a block toward or parallel to his own end line and makes forcible contact using his helmet, forearm, or shoulder, unless the contact occurs in close-line play before the ball leaves that area.” The rule further defines “close-line play” as contact within the tackles or up to three yards outside them. Whether that block met the definition remains open to debate.
