The NFL's habit of disclosing weekly fines can often reveal the league office's opinion regarding whether the game officials failed to call a foul when a flag should have been thrown.
It happens most frequently regarding the rule against lowering the helmet to make forcible contact with an opponent. On Monday night, for example, a clear instance of lowering the helmet and initiating by Bills running back James Cook drew a $21,167 fine; the violation was not flagged.
During Sunday's game between the 49ers and the Seahawks, a more consequential miss happened â?? and the league's decision to impose a fine acknowledges it.
With 1:13 to play and the Seahawks facing first and 10 from the 50, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold threw a pass to receiver Jaxon Smith-Njiba. The reception was broken up by what Fox's Kevin Burkhardt called a "wicked hit" from 49ers safety Malik Mustapha.
The hit was also illegal, in the eyes of the league office. Mustapha was fined $6,998 for the blow that left Smith-Njigba rattled after the play. (Mustapha apparently responded to the fine by posting a one-word message â??...
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