6 days Ago
Za’Darius Smith is the latest Detroit Lions player to have his paycheck docked by the NFL — this time for an infraction he wasn’t even penalized for during the game. The league fined Smith $6,722 for roughing the passer, citing a hit to the head and neck area during the Lions’ Week 14 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Had officials flagged Smith for the hit on Packers quarterback Jordan Love, the penalty would have given Green Bay a first-and-10 at the Lions’ 32-yard line.
This would have put the Packers in position to kick a field goal or even score a touchdown. Instead, the play went unpenalized, forcing the Packers to punt after the third-down incompletion. The Lions capitalized, ultimately defeating Green Bay 34-31 on a game-winning field goal by Jake Bates as time expired.
The victory improved Detroit’s record to 12-1 on the season and 4-0 in the NFC North..
