The Detroit Lions are used to getting roughed up on the field, and anybody who plays football, or any sport, for the Motor City has grit and can handle it. But, sometimes, players go too far, and when that happens, the NFL is there to step in and make sure those players are properly punished.
Now, ahead of the highly-anticipated “Sunday Night Football” matchup between the Lions and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, November 16, the NFL has stepped in and punished two players for incidents involved the Detroit Lions. The incidents happened during the Lions and Washington Commanders game on Sunday, November 9, on the road.
On Saturdays during the season, the NFL hands down punishments to players for actions taken during the previous week’s games. The NFL states on their website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” Also, before the season even started, the NFL and NFL Players Association agreed on the set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures.
So, one day before the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles game, the NFL handed down hefty punishments to two players from last weekend’s Commanders game. On the league’s Week 10 report, Commanders linebacker Ale Kaho was hit with the biggest punishment of the week in a $46,371 fine for unnecessary roughness and “use of the helmet” in the third quarter of the game. Washington defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was also fined $28,555 for unsportsmanlike conduct and “conduct with an official” in the second quarter of the game, which was also one of the largest punishments of the week.
So, the Washington Commanders didn’t play nice, and the league noticed. Those funds will go to a good cause, though. According to the NFL, the funds raised from those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
Also, players may choose to challenge these penalties, but that doesn’t usually happen unless there’s also a game suspension involved. The NFL states that “league staff members examine the plays identified as having potential infractions to determine whether there is cause for additional review.”
The Detroit Lions didn’t escape the Commanders game without any punishments, though. Also on November 15, the NFL gave wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown a punishment of $12,172 fine for unnecessary roughness under the “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing” category. The event happened in the second quarter of the Lions’ game against the Commanders.
Looking at the Lions and Eagles game, going into the NFL’s Week 11 power rankings, the Lions and Eagles are literally one stop away from each other on the NFL’s tally, with the Eagles being No. 4 and Lions at No. 5.
“Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling, and the Lions had arguably their most productive showing of the season on that side of the ball,” Eric Edholm of the NFL’s website noted, adding that “tougher challenges await, but the Lions gave a reminder that they can still go nuclear when they’re on.”
Campbell has stated that he’ll be making the offensive play calls for the rest of the Lions’ season, in place of first-year offensive coordinator John Morton. So, expect to see even more Campbell than usual on the sidelines.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Despite a 38–14 defeat at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward was quick to praise the standout performance of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
In what has been a season of struggles for the Titans (now 1-7), the 2025 campaign has been a series of learning experiences for the rookie quarterback. However, there was one silver lining in Sunday’s defeat — Ward had a front-row seat to one of the NFL’s top running backs at the peak of his powers.
Taylor, who rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding a receiving touchdown, was the focal point of a dominant Colts offense that racked up 38 points, further solidifying Indianapolis’ position as one of the league’s top teams. Despite the Titans’ difficulties in slowing him down, Ward didn’t shy away from offering high praise for Taylor’s performance.
“Jonathan is an incredible player. He’s got the vision, the speed, and the power to make any defense look foolish,” Ward said after the game. “Even though we came out on the wrong side of the score today, I have to give credit where it’s due — he was a game-changer. I’m just hoping we get another shot at him later this season because he’s the type of player you want to challenge yourself against.”
It’s a testament to the respect Taylor has earned around the league. The 2024 All-Pro was unstoppable in the first half, dominating both in the run game and as a receiving threat. His 80-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was a prime example of his rare combination of vision, acceleration, and power that has made him one of the most feared backs in the NFL.
The Colts’ offense has been firing on all cylinders this season, and Taylor’s performance was a crucial factor in the team’s 7-1 start. His ability to take over games and control the pace of play has been a significant advantage for Indianapolis, especially as they continue to battle through a number of defensive injuries.
For Ward and the Titans, the loss was another tough blow in what has been a tumultuous year. The Titans are in full rebuild mode, with rookie quarterback Cam Ward still adjusting to the speed and intensity of the NFL. However, Ward’s acknowledgment of Taylor’s brilliance speaks to a broader understanding of the challenge at hand.
“I’m still learning and growing in this league, but playing against a guy like Jonathan makes you understand what it takes to be great,” Ward added. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but that’s the kind of competition I’m excited to face moving forward.”
Despite the loss, Ward’s words show maturity beyond his years, recognizing the value in learning from top-tier competition. As the Titans continue to build around their young quarterback, it’s moments like these that will fuel his development — and possibly set the stage for future battles against one of the NFL’s best.
As for Jonathan Taylor, his dominance continues, and with the Colts continuing their push for a playoff spot, opponents like the Titans will have to find a way to stop him — something Ward, in his postgame comments, clearly understands will be no easy feat.