NFL drops the hammer on two Patriots pieces, and it's news they did not want to hear before Saints game

The NFL keeps fining players for on-field actions, and two members of the New England Patriots have been punished for Week 5 plays. Curiously, both are interior defensive linemen. Nose tackle Cory Durden and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer got fined for plays during the Patriots' win over the Buffalo Bills on "Sunday Night Football" last week. Both plays happened in the fourth quarter.

Durden got fined for a hit on quarterback Josh Allen, listed as a blow to the head/neck area. He was fined $5,722. Farmer was penalized for unnecessary roughness for a late hit, and the fine is $5,591.

The punishment won't diminish what the Patriots were able to accomplish against a powerful divisional rival, but it's certainly not what these players wanted to hear before the New Orleans Saints matchup in Week 6. After all, losing money is never the ideal outcome. Especially for pieces playing under inexpensive rookie deals.

The punishment of the week doubles the number of fines that Patriots players have received this year so far. Defensive Marcus Jones had been fined in Week 3 for unnecessary roughness because of a low block during the Pittsburgh Steelers game. The fine was $9,151. In Week 4, after the win over the Carolina Panthers, tight end Austin Hooper was fined $11,593 for a facemask penalty.

NFL fines

While it’s tough to see football players losing money like that for normal plays, at least it goes to a good cause. The fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support legends in need.

Players are notified of violations and may appeal any ruling. Appeals officers and former NFL players, such as Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, and Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA, hear cases. The decisions made are final and binding.

The potential violations include offenses against game officials, player safety rules or flagrant personal fouls, fighting, sportsmanship, uniform rules, and gang signing.