NFL Fines Lions Defender for Incident Involving Baker Mayfield After Detroit’s Big Win
The Detroit Lions delivered an impressive performance in their Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday, October 19. When the clock hit zero, the Lions had sealed a convincing 24–9 victory, improving their record to 5–2 heading into their bye week. That win not only boosted team morale but also propelled Detroit to the top of multiple NFL Power Rankings. Both ESPN and the NFL’s official Week 8 rankings listed the Lions as the No. 1 team in the league.
But as often happens in the NFL, the drama didn’t end with the scoreboard. The Lions-Buccaneers showdown had its share of heated moments, one of which led to a costly postgame penalty for a Detroit player.
Each week, the NFL reviews game footage and issues fines to players for on-field conduct violations. According to the league’s official site, these penalties are designed “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” The NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed on a comprehensive list of actions that can lead to disciplinary measures, with new fines typically announced every Saturday.
For Week 7, Detroit defensive end Tyrus Wheat was fined $5,722 for “unnecessary roughness” and “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.” The penalty stemmed from a play in which Wheat tripped Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield as he attempted a pass in the pocket. During the game, referees did not flag the play and instead credited Wheat with a sack. The league later corrected that oversight through the fine.
According to the NFL, the money collected from such penalties is directed to charitable causes. Fines go to the Professional Athletes Foundation, which provides support to retired players in need, and to the NFL Foundation, which focuses on the health, safety, and wellness of athletes at all levels — from professionals to youth football programs and the communities around them.
Notably, no Buccaneers players were fined for actions in the game against Detroit.
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Detroit Lions Riding High in Week 8 Rankings
The fine hasn’t overshadowed the Lions’ momentum. Detroit remains at the top of most Week 8 power rankings, a testament to the team’s balance and consistency on both sides of the ball.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm praised the Lions’ performance in his Tuesday, October 21 feature. “Jared Goff’s pick before halftime helped gift the Buccaneers points, but the Lions’ offense responded with a touchdown on its first drive of the third quarter, and the defense played incredibly well all night, especially considering the circumstances,” Edholm wrote. He added that Detroit “might have taken the Chiefs’ best punch in Week 6, but they took out their frustrations on a good Bucs team that they might see again in January.”
Fox Sports echoed that sentiment. Analyst Ralph Vacchiano wrote, “The Lions sure bounced back nicely from their loss in Kansas City with a win over the Bucs. They aren’t perfect, but they can do it all and may be the most complete team in the NFL.”
Looking ahead, Detroit’s next test comes against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 2. The Vikings are reeling from a 37–10 loss to the Chargers on Thursday, October 23, and face significant struggles at quarterback — a situation that could further tilt the advantage toward the red-hot Lions.
With momentum, confidence, and league recognition on their side, the Detroit Lions enter their bye week looking every bit like legitimate contenders in the 2025 NFL season.
NFL Finally Reveals Punishment for Lions Player in Baker Mayfield Controversy
