No Fines for Bills After Week 14 Win, But NFL Hands Out Discipline Elsewhere
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Coming off a hard-fought Week 14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Buffalo Bills managed to keep their noses clean-at least in the eyes of the league office. No Bills players were fined following the game, a rare clean sheet in a season that’s seen its fair share of wallet hits across the roster.
But while Buffalo avoided the league’s disciplinary hammer this week, a couple of players around the league weren’t so lucky.
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone was fined $17,968 for unnecessary roughness, flagged for actions that fall under the league’s catch-all category of striking, kicking, tripping, or kneeing. Meanwhile, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen was docked $17,389 for unsportsmanlike conduct, specifically taunting-an infraction the NFL has been cracking down on more aggressively in recent seasons.
A Closer Look at the Bills’ Fines This Season
Though Week 14 was quiet on the disciplinary front for Buffalo, it hasn’t been a fine-free campaign. Several Bills players have been hit with fines throughout the season, most stemming from unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct. Here’s a breakdown of the most notable incidents:
- Week 4: Rookie linebacker Dorian Williams was fined $7,989 for a blindside block.
- Week 8: Joey Bosa, in a game against Buffalo, was fined $12,172 for unnecessary roughness-again under the striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing designation.
- Week 9: A flurry of fines hit in this week alone: Josh Allen was fined $14,491 for a violent gesture. Christian Benford drew a $14,714 fine for using his helmet illegally. Elijah Moore was fined $13,888 for unsportsmanlike conduct involving a violent gesture. Ty Johnson was fined $10,778 for a facemask penalty.
- Week 11: Johnson was fined again-this time $10,777-for an obscene gesture.
Joey Bosa also reappeared on the fine list with a $17,389 penalty for a low hit on a quarterback.
- Week 12: Reggie Gilliam was fined $11,111 for using his helmet in an illegal hit.
- Week 13: Defensive end A.J. Epenesa was fined $11,593 for taunting, while wide receiver Gabe Davis was hit with a $6,500 fine for unnecessary roughness involving the helmet.
League-Wide Discipline: A Weekly Tradition
Each Saturday during the season, the NFL releases its list of fines tied to on-field conduct. For Week 14, there were 17 fines issued across 2,258 total plays-a reminder that while the league emphasizes player safety and sportsmanship, the game’s physical nature still leads to moments that cross the line.
Since 2011, the NFL has funneled approximately $4 million annually from these fines into charitable initiatives through the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation. The money supports a range of causes, from helping former players and promoting youth football to funding community outreach programs.
The league maintains a detailed breakdown of fineable offenses and their corresponding penalties-differentiating between first-time violations and repeat offenses. Players who are fined receive a formal letter outlining the infraction, a video clip of the play in question, and information on how to appeal. If they choose not to appeal, the fine is deducted from their next game check.
The Bottom Line
For the Bills, Week 14 wasn’t just a win on the scoreboard-it was a win in the discipline column, too. And as the playoff race heats up, staying focused and penalty-free could be just as important as executing on the field. In a league where even a single taunt or ill-timed hit can cost thousands, composure matters.