Roquan Smith is on the hook for an $11,941 fine after a controversial facemask on Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, a play officials completely whiffed on during Shough’s game-winning sneak. That fourth-down touchdown, with only 1:28 left on the clock, sealed the deal for the Saints, but the NFL is now admitting the error. They announced Smith’s fine on Saturday, effectively saying, “Yeah, we messed that one up.”
The Game-Winning Whistle That Never Blew
Tyler Shough’s game-winning QB sneak was already a wild finish, and replay did uphold the touchdown ruling. But it turns out the game shouldn’t have even gotten to that point. How do you miss a facemask on a game-deciding play? Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith clearly had Shough’s facemask, and the league confirmed it with that $11,941 fine. This wasn’t some minor foul on a punt return; this was the moment that put points on the board to win the game, and the officials somehow missed it live. You gotta wonder what they were looking at.
Fines Keep Flying, But Not All Were Missed
Smith wasn’t the only player dipping into his wallet this week. Ravens outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson got slapped with a heftier $17,911 fine for hitting Shough with his full body weight before the two-minute warning. That penalty helped the Saints march right to the doorstep of the end zone, showing a consistent theme of Ravens defenders struggling to contain Shough legally. On the flip side, Saints wide receiver Chris Olave also got hit for $11,941 for taunting Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, though at least that one got called during the actual game. It’s a stark contrast: some penalties get flagged in real time, influencing the game, while others, like Smith’s crucial facemask, only come to light after the fact, with a fine as the NFL’s quiet apology.
The NFL dishing out fines for missed calls like this just adds fuel to the fire for every fan who’s ever screamed at their TV about bad officiating. It doesn’t change the game’s outcome, but it sure makes you wonder how many other game-changing moments are slipping by unnoticed until a fine hits someone’s bank account days later.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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