The Kansas City Chiefs managed to leave Indianapolis with a hard-fought 23-20 overtime triumph against the Colts in Week 12, yet the win proved costly beyond the scoreboard for a pair of their players.
After trailing 14-3 late in the second quarter and 20-9 midway through the third, Kansas City orchestrated a dramatic 11-point rally in the final period before sealing the deal in the extra session.
The financial fallout began on a first-quarter play involving cornerback Trent McDuffie. While bringing down rookie tight end Tyler Warren, McDuffie inadvertently wrapped his hand around the rookie’s facemask. Officials let the play continue without throwing a flag, but the league office took a different view upon review.
On Saturday, the NFL announced it had levied an $11,593 fine against McDuffie for unnecessary roughness (facemask), deeming the contact worthy of supplemental discipline.
Colts coaches had vocally argued for a penalty in real time, believing the infraction should have awarded Indianapolis 15 yards and an automatic first down.
McDuffie wasn’t alone in opening his wallet after the game. Rookie offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia also received discipline from the league, drawing an $8,108 fine for unnecessary roughness stemming from a blindside block.
Replay footage clearly captured the 6-foot-5, 325-pound Suamataia delivering a forceful block that sent Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward—listed at 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds—crashing to the turf during a running play.
While the Chiefs improved their record and kept pace in the AFC playoff race, the two fines serve as an expensive reminder that victories in today’s NFL can come with more than just physical wear and tear.
Unfortunately, Kansas City ended up losing to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. The team’s hopes of making the playoffs are hanging on by a thread.
Next up for the Kansas City Chiefs will be a big-time Week 14 matchup at home against the Houston Texans.
