Steelers-Browns Rivalry Sparks $55,000+ in Fines, But No Penalty for Final-Play Scuffle

The Week 12 showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns had no shortage of drama, but it wasn’t just the on-field action that grabbed headlines. Several players were handed fines for infractions during the Thursday Night Football game, totaling nearly $55,400, but one shocking omission stood out: the NFL decided to overlook the on-field scuffle between Steelers wide receiver George Pickens and Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II on the final play of the game.

Fines Pile Up:

The NFL Operations and the gameday accountability department handed down fines to a handful of players involved in the game. On the Steelers side, cornerback Donte Jackson was fined $22,511 for using his helmet in what was deemed an unnecessary roughness penalty. Meanwhile, defensive back Damontae Kazee was slapped with an $11,255 fine for a late hit during the contest.

In addition, the Browns were penalized with fines of their own. Safety Grant Delpit received an $11,255 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct, specifically taunting during the fourth quarter. Linebacker Jordan Hicks was also fined $10,378 for roughing the passer, a penalty triggered by the controversial “body weight” rule.

Together, these four fines added up to $55,399, a hefty price to pay for actions in a hard-fought divisional matchup.

The Snub: Pickens vs. Newsome

However, what has left fans and analysts scratching their heads is the NFL’s failure to address the on-field altercation between Pickens and Newsome. As the Steelers attempted a Hail Mary on the game’s final play, the two players found themselves tangled in a struggle that sent both tumbling to the back of the end zone. The altercation became so heated that NFL officials had to intervene and physically separate the two combatants.

Despite the obvious tension and the fact that Pickens and Newsome were essentially wrestling each other off the field, the referees did not throw any flags, and the league took no action postgame. The absence of any fines or penalties for the incident has drawn significant attention, especially when considering the hefty fines handed out to other players for far less dramatic infractions.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Russell Wilson both commented on the play postgame, expressing their belief that Newsome initiated the contact that led to the physical altercation.

“I think, unfortunately, I believe [Pickens] was getting pushed out [of bounds] when he was trying to get to the spot,” Wilson said, defending his receiver. “It’s an unfortunate situation. He was trying to get to the spot where I threw it to, and he got carried out the end zone.”

Tomlin also hinted that he felt Newsome’s actions were to blame for the scuffle. While the referee’s decision not to flag the incident is certainly not uncommon for the final moments of a game, especially with the intensity and emotion running high, the lack of any official repercussions remains surprising.

A Curious Omission

It’s not the first time the NFL has chosen to let players finish out a game without calling crucial penalties, and this isn’t the first time a key moment like this has been overlooked. But to completely ignore a physical scuffle of this magnitude — one that had both players wrestling down the field and was clearly visible to all — seems like a missed opportunity for the league to show consistency when it comes to discipline.

While the Steelers and Browns players who received fines during the game may now feel the financial sting of their actions, the absence of consequences for the final-play scuffle leaves lingering questions about what constitutes “acceptable behavior” on the field. Why the NFL didn’t take action to address this incident remains a mystery.

Moving On to Week 13

Despite the confusion surrounding the final-play scuffle, the Steelers have quickly turned their attention to the Week 13 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh has already faced their fair share of penalties and fines this season, but with the playoff race heating up, the focus remains on getting back into the win column.

With a hefty total of fines now attached to their Week 12 performance, the Steelers can only hope that their Week 13 focus on football will keep them from any further distractions — or unexpected skirmishes.