Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Commanders Awaiting Punishment Decision After Bo Nix Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 30, 2025 10:26 PM ET

Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos looked to keep their eight-game winning streak alive in Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season, hitting the road to face Marcus Mariota and the Washington Commanders on "Sunday Night Football." The Broncos have been one of the more surprising teams through the first three months of the season, among the NFL's best with a 9-2 record.

With 8:06 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday's game, Nix saw his pass fall incomplete on third down, settling for a 33-yard field goal to extend the lead to six. However, as Nix released the ball as he fell down, Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu came in and hit Nix helmet to helmet, forcing the quarterback hard to the ground.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix during an NFL gameRon Chenoy-Imagn Images

While no flag was thrown for roughing the passer, the NFL will likely review Luvu’s helmet-to-helmet hit on Nix for a potential fine. Typically, the league fines players up to $17,389 for a first roughing-the-passer offense, with the amount increasing to $23,186 for a second violation.

This would not be the first time Luvu has been fined this season. Earlier in the year, he was fined $46,372 for a hip-drop tackle against the Atlanta Falcons, and that number doubled after a second hip-drop tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs. The repeat violations initially resulted in a one-game suspension, but the NFL later replaced it with another $100,000 fine, his third of the season.

Through the first 12 weeks of 2025, the NFL has issued 15 fines for roughing the passer, totaling $228,059. The most recent came in Week 11, when Bills defensive end Joey Bosa was fined $17,389 for an illegal hit against the Buccaneers.

Luvu hits Bo Nix in the helmet. Should this have been roughing the passer? pic.twitter.com/uBwlR4N0gb
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) December 1, 2025