By Moses Joshua 
A costly fine clouds Detroit’s playoff push, but availability remains intact for critical Rams showdown
NFL Discipline Arrives at a Critical Moment
With their postseason hopes hanging in the balance, the Detroit Lions are preparing for one of the most important games of their season. A Week 15 matchup against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams looms large, carrying major playoff implications for an 8–5 Detroit team trying to stay alive in a crowded NFC race.
But just days before kickoff, the Lions found themselves dealing with unwanted attention from the league office.
On Saturday, December 13, the NFL released its weekly discipline report — and one familiar Detroit name stood out. Linebacker Alex Anzalone, a fan favorite and defensive cornerstone, was hit with the largest fine of the week following a controversial moment in Detroit’s win over the Dallas Cowboys.
The Play That Drew the League’s Attention
The NFL fined Anzalone $17,968 for unnecessary roughness, citing “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing” during a second-quarter sequence in the Week 14 contest. The incident occurred at the 6:28 mark of the second quarter and was not flagged during live action.
While the fine represents the most severe monetary punishment handed out league-wide that week, it stops short of a suspension — a key relief for Detroit. With the Rams bringing one of the league’s most explosive offenses to town, Anzalone’s availability is vital.
According to the NFL, disciplinary actions are enforced “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity,” noting that “the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures.”
Lions Will Need Anzalone on Sunday
Despite the fine, Anzalone remains eligible to play, and that matters. The Rams enter Week 15 with a 10–3 record and one of the most efficient offenses of the 2025–26 season. Detroit’s defense — already tested by injuries — will need steady leadership in the middle of the field to slow down Stafford and company.
The league’s decision underscores the fine line defenders must walk between aggression and restraint, particularly in emotionally charged moments. For the Lions, the focus now shifts back to football — and to maximizing a rare opportunity.
League Discipline Extended Beyond Detroit
Anzalone wasn’t the only player penalized from the Cowboys game. Dallas wide receiver George Pickens was fined $11,593 for a facemask violation labeled as unnecessary roughness. Cowboys running back Hunter Luepke received an $8,537 fine for “use of the helmet” early in the first quarter, while defensive end James Houston was fined $5,722 for a blow to the head/neck area in a hit on Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
The NFL stated that proceeds from all fines will be directed to the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL 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.”
Everything Still on the Line
For Detroit, the math is simple. A win over the Rams would boost the Lions’ playoff chances from 55% to 74%. A loss drops those odds to 45%. Los Angeles, meanwhile, already holds a 97% chance to reach the postseason.
Anzalone’s fine may linger as a footnote, but his presence on the field could help determine whether Detroit’s season continues — or fades away.