The Buffalo Bills suffered their most crushing loss of the season Sunday — a game that was also the Miami Dolphins‘ signature win — when they turned in a thoroughly uninspiring performance with first place in the AFC East on the line. The lackluster Bills fell to the Dolphins 30-13 at Hard Rock stadium, all but sinking their chances of winning the division and possibly putting a playoff spot in doubt.
There were not many highlights for the Bills, but the game featured some bizarre moments — one in particular that now forces the NFL office to make a decision on whether to issue further punishment for two-time Pro Bowl Miami edge rusher Bradley Chubb, over an incident in the aftermath of a fourth quarter sack against Bills quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen.
Allen was sacked three times in the game, bringing to 20 the total number of sacks the 29-year-old three-time Pro Bowl QB has had to endure this season, eighth-most in the NFL.
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Taunting Penalty Against Chubb Over Sack
For Chubb, the sack was his fourth of the season — but the first for which he drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Specifically, Chubb was flagged for taunting. It was only the seven-year veteran’s second penalty of any kind this season, both occurring in Sunday’s game.
But Chubb did not appear to say anything to Allen during or after the sack that took place with four minutes remaining in the game. Instead, Chubb crawled forward over the fallen Allen and went into a more-or-less conventional celebratory sack dance.
NFL to Decide on Further Punishment
The flag on Chubb resulted in a 15-yard penalty against Miami, allowing Allen to throw a 26-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Jackson Hawes on the next play.
Now the NFL must decide whether to issue a further punishment of Chubb. Taunting incidents, under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, carry fines of $11,593 for a first offense. But it is up to the discretion of league officials whether or not whatever Chubb did deserved a fine.
Fines are announced publicly on the Saturday following the week in which the infraction occurred, but players are notified by written notice sometime mid-week, so Chubb will likely learn the league’s decision by Wednesday or Thursday.
Chubb’s Actions ‘Disrespectful’ of Allen
While the taunting call left some fans and even experts confused as to where and how Chubb’s alleged taunt of Allen occurred, according to Mark Schulz of the site Football Zebras, which monitors NFL officiating, the call was the right one.
“Unless Chubb said something to Allen after the play, the flag isn’t for verbal abuse. Watch how Chubb got off Allen. He crawled spread-eagle over Allen, dragging his crotch across Allen, including his face. If his crotch didn’t touch Allen, Chubb certainly gave Allen a good look at it,” Schulz wrote.
“Officials always tell players to ‘roll off’ other players and then ‘use the ground’ to get back on their feet. This didn’t happen,” the Football Zebras writer continued. “The NFL also wants players to treat each other with respect and not say words or do acts that disrespect an opponent. The officials deemed Chubb’s actions disrespectful and the flag flew.”
Whether Chubb’s actions were disrespectful enough to merit a fine, however, will be the league’s decision.
