Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos would have liked to see some measure of justice served following their win over the Washington Commanders on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 13 after they certainly did not get it during the game.
However, the NFL had other ideas about the situation.
Nix and the Broncos are focused on their Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, but they were dangerously close to needing a very different game plan this past week.
Frankie Luvu Avoids Punishment Over Hit on Bo Nix During Broncos-Commanders
GettyFrankie Luvu #4 of the Washington Commanders reacts against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Commanders linebacker Frakie Luvu delivered the hit to Nix on a third-and-8 play during the second quarter of what was eventually a 27-26 win. The second-year QB attempted to throw the ball away as he faced pressure from the veteran linebacker.
Nix could be seen pointing to his facemask/helmet, as if to signal that he believed in real-time that Luvu had committed a penalty.
Instead, the Broncos had to settle for a field goal.
Section 2 Article 10 of the NFL rulebook states that “It is a foul if a player: (a) lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent; or (b) uses any part of his helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact to an opponent’s head or neck.
“These provisions do not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle or block on an opponent.”
Luvu’s hit certainly seemed to qualify for both markers.
The penalty for such an infraction is typically 15 yards and, in some instances, “the player may be disqualified.” The fine for what the league classifies as “Impermissible Use of the Helmet/Launching” for disciplinary purposes begins at $23,186 for first offenses.
Second offenses see the fine increase to $46,371. Luvu has run afoul of the league’s rules on personal fouls multiple times this season. However, none were for illegal use of the helmet.
Notably, the league has often fined players over infractions not called during contests.
NFL Declines to Punish Commanders LT Laremy Tunsil
GettyLaremy Tunsil #78 of the Washington Commanders looks on during training camp.
Luvu’s hit on Nix was not the only potential fine the Commanders avoided in their loss to the Broncos. Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto received an $11,593 fine for “unnecessary roughness” for “pulling player off pile.” The decision was expected due to his drawing a flag.
However, it was also plausible that Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil could receive a fine after the game. Tunsil pushed Bonitto over the infraction.
Bonitto pulled Commanders center Tyler Biadasz off John Franklin-Myers, who was standing.
For Nix and the Broncos, getting the win is the best possible outcome. Still, it is unfortunate that they came out on the short end of the NFL’s disciplinary process. Multiple plays that seemed fine-worthy occurred on the other side.
Broncos Must Play Cleaner
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on after defeating the Washington Commanders.
Nix and the Broncos had only seen two players fined this season before Bonitto. Linebacker Justin Strnad and cornerback Riley Moss were both docked after Week 7.
That game also resulted in LB Dre Greenlaw receiving a one-game suspension.
He was not fined but did lose out on a game check, adding to the Broncos’ pot of lost earnings this season. Nix and the Broncos will look to improve upon their heavily penalized ways in Week 14 against the Raiders.
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