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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the Green Bay Packers.
Head coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos notched a significant victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 15, securing a spot in the postseason. However, Broncos star Zach Allen can expect to hear from the NFL in the aftermath of the contest.
Allen has continued asserting himself as one of the best defensive linemen in the league this season.
However, he crossed a line in Week 15, at least according to league rules.
Broncos’ Zach Allen Could Hear From NFL Over Packers’ Jordan Love
GettyJordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers looks on before facing the New York Giants.
During a Packers first down in the second quarter, Green Bay’s Jordan Love completed a pass to tight end Luke Musgrave for 16 yards. The Packers gained another 15 yards and entered Bronco’ territory when Allen drew a flag for roughing the passer.
He not only hit Love late, but also low.
The drive ended in a Packers field goal. For Allen, a fine ranging from $17,389 to $23,186 could be coming, per the NFL’s Accountability portal.
Allen was a Second Team All-Pro for the Broncos in 2024, and he signed a four-year, $102 million contract extension in August. This would mark Allen’s first fine of the season and the fifth for the Broncos in 2025, per Spotrac.
Allen was the only Broncos player flagged for a fineable infraction.
However, the league has shown a willingness to penalize players for plays that went uncalled during games, so Allen’s Broncos teammates may not be clear just yet.
Of the four confirmed fines this season, which includes Justin Strnad, Nik Bonitto, Riley Moss, and the check linebacker Dre Greenlaw lost due to a one-game suspension, none have been repeat offenders.
Most recently, Bonitto was fined for pulling a player off the pile in Week 13.
Allen’sis the most sure-fire infraction that could draw the league’s attention, and the only one for the Broncos. However, it was hardly the only one in the game.
Trio of Packers Players Could Draw NFL’s Attention
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks to his team during a game against the Houston Texans.
In the first quarter, Packers defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare was called for “unnecessary roughness.” Enagbare delivered a hit on Broncos punter Jeremy Crawshaw, contacting the rookie’s facemask with his helmet in the process.
No further clarification was provided, clouding whether or not the NFL could look into punishing Enagbare. A hit on a defenseless player could cost him up to $23,186, per the NFL.
The league could also apply an “other” tag to Enagbare’s infraction to penalize him.
Also in the second quarter, Packer safety Javon Bullard picked up an unnecessary roughness penalty. It was for an excessive tackle on Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin following a reception on first-and-20.
Later on that same drive, Packers D-lineman Karl Brooks was flagged for unnecessary roughness during a field goal attempt from Broncos kicker Wil Lutz.
Again, the only clarification provided was that it was a “personal foul.”
Despite the ambiguity around the Packers’ infractions, all would qualify for fines under the precedent set by the NFL. However, the league has also used discretion to lower or even avoid levying fines, just as it has to punish players for incidents that did not draw flags during games.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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