When the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders lined up in Week 10, we expected fireworks — just maybe not these kinds of fireworks. What unfolded wasn’t just a tough, gritty matchup; it was a full-on feud packed with enough penalties to make the league office wince. And sure enough, as Saturday rolled around, the NFL did what the NFL does: it brought the hammer down.
Let’s walk through the fines, the fallout, and what it all means as the Lions prepare for another massive prime-time stage.
Each Saturday, the league reviews the previous week’s film and hands out its accountability measures — fines meant, as the NFL puts it, “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” After a chippy Commanders–Lions matchup on November 9, there was plenty to review.
And two Washington defenders found their wallets noticeably lighter.
Ale Kaho Faces the Biggest Hit of the Week
Commanders linebacker Ale Kaho picked up the largest fine issued across the league in Week 10:
$46,371 for unnecessary roughness and “use of the helmet” in the third quarter.
That’s not pocket change. That’s a full-on sting.
Javon Kinlaw Penalized for “Conduct With an Official”
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw wasn’t far behind. He was fined $28,555 for unsportsmanlike conduct and “conduct with an official” in the second quarter — another one of the week’s most expensive disciplinary calls.
Call it frustration. Call it heat-of-the-moment emotion. Either way, the league called it out.
At Least the Money Goes Somewhere Good
All those penalty dollars won’t vanish into thin air. The NFL channels funds from fines to the Professional Athletes Foundation to help “support legends in need,” and to the NFL Foundation, which invests in player health, safety, wellness, and youth football initiatives.
So while the Commanders didn’t “play nice,” the consequences at least move toward a positive purpose.
Even Detroit Didn’t Walk Away Clean
The Lions weren’t entirely spotless in this messy affair. The league also fined Detroit star Amon-Ra St. Brown$12,172 for unnecessary roughness — specifically listed under the “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing” category. The play occurred in the second quarter.
It wasn’t the kind of headline Lions fans love to see, but in a game this physical, it wasn’t surprising the laundry flew both ways.
Lions Still Locked In: “They Can Still Go Nuclear”
Despite the bruises, fines, and fallout, Detroit is gearing up for an even bigger challenge: a primetime clash with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Lions and Eagles sit back-to-back in the NFL’s Week 11 power rankings — No. 4 and No. 5 — setting the stage for a heavyweight showdown.
NFL analyst Eric Edholm summed up Detroit nicely, saying “the Lions can still go nuclear when they’re on.” That came after head coach Dan Campbell officially took over offensive play-calling, leading to arguably Detroit’s most explosive showing of the season.
Campbell has confirmed he’ll continue calling plays for the rest of the year. Translation? Expect peak Campbell energy — design, aggression, intensity — all season long.
Tensions were high last week, the flags were flying, and the fines were flowing. But that’s in the rearview. Now the Lions turn their eyes to Philly, where the stakes are even higher — and thankfully, the penalties don’t carry over.
By Sunday 