The Seattle Seahawks are already in the playoffs, and they’re currently No. 1 in the NFC West, but that doesn’t mean their game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, is any less important.
For the 12-3 Seahawks, winning out the remainder of the regular seasons means securing the NFC West title and a top seed, with the longstanding hopes of getting that first-week bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
For the Panthers, who have an 8-7 record, it’s about securing the NFC South division title with a win over Seattle and a Buccaneers loss or tie. So, there’s plenty on the line for both the Seahawks and Panthers this weekend.
But before the game, the NFL hit two Seahawks players hard for their actions during the team’s Week 16 game against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, which they won 38-37.
Every week during the season, the NFL gives punishments to players for actions taken during the previous week’s games. The NFL states on their official website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.”
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Before the season begins, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on the set of game-related rules violations that result in these accountability measures.
On Saturday, the NFL announced that it fined linebacker Ernest Jones $11,593 for a late hit at the 5:18 mark in the first quarter of the game. The other was a $5,722 fine to safety Ty Okada for and a hit on the defenseless player at the 2:41 spot in the fourth quarter of the game.
The funds raised from those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
If either Seahawks player wants to appeal, they’re allowed to, although players usually just pay up. According to the league, “Cases are heard by appeals officers and former NFL players, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA. The decisions made are final and binding.”
The good news is that both players will be available for the team’s game against the Panthers on Sunday, and neither of them were suspended.