The NFL fined Buffalo Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson and safety Taylor Rapp for unnecessary roughness in Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Dodson's fine stemmed from a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott as he attempted to slide down. For the hit, Dodson lost a substantial $11,167.
Take a look at the hit in question by Dodson:
Rapp's fine, which also came from a late hit on Prescott, albeit a separate one, was even more costly, as the first-year Bill lost $21,855.
Considering how much the NFL has cracked down on helmet-to-helmet hits, especially on quarterbacks, it's somewhat surprising that neither player got ejected for their hits.
This marks the first time this season that Dodson has been fined. On the other hand, Rapp earned his second fine of the season, as the NFL also penalized him for a hit on Las Vegas Raiders star Davante Adams in Week 2.
The Bills have struggled with penalties this season, and it has cost them at points. According to Pro Football Reference, Buffalo has taken the eighth-most penalties in the league with 89 entering Week 16. As the Bills continue their playoff push, they'll have to find a way to play cleaner football.
Buffalo will hope to avoid any further fines, and pick up a win along the way, when it faces the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night.
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