NFL Drops Hammer: 19 Players Fined in Chaotic Week 2 Crackdown!

Week 2 of the NFL season came and went without fireworks in Buffalo’s win over the Jets, but the league’s disciplinary office still had plenty of action. As usual, Saturday brought the NFL’s weekly list of fines – and 19 players found their names on it.

Leading the list was Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, slapped with a massive $46,371 fine for unnecessary roughness due to improper helmet use. The NFL has been strict on such violations in recent years, emphasizing safety around head and neck contact.

In Dallas, wideouts CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens each earned double fines. Lamb was hit with $11,593 for taunting and $14,491 for a violent gesture. Pickens matched him with two $14,491 fines – one for removing his helmet on the field and the other for a violent gesture. That’s nearly $29,000 each.

In total, 19 fines were handed out across 2,588 plays run leaguewide – showing how closely the NFL monitors player conduct.

Since 2011, the league has funneled around $4 million annually from fine money into causes like the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation, supporting retired players, youth football, health and safety initiatives, and community outreach.

Every fined player receives a detailed letter with video evidence and fine breakdowns. They can appeal, but if not, the fine is deducted from the next game check. The NFL also posts a full fine schedule online, detailing penalties and how they escalate with repeat offenses.

Buffalo vs. the Jets may not have had yellow-flag drama, but elsewhere the message was loud and clear: Play hard, play smart – or it’ll cost you.