Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are coming up on their wild-card playoff game on Sunday, January 11, against the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road. Following the team’s 35-8 win over the Jets, the Bills clinched the AFC No. 6 seed in the 2025 NFL playoffs, giving them the wild-card slot against the No. 3 seed Jags.
But, it’s not all fun and games for the Buffalo Bills. Less than a day before the team’s game against the Jaguars, the NFL has handed down punishments to multiple Bills players for their actions in team’s game against the Jets.
Every week during the season, the NFL gives punishments to players for actions taken during the previous week’s games. The NFL states on their official website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” As for how these rules and instated, before the season begins, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on the set of game-related rules violations that result in these accountability measures.
NFL Officially Hands Down Punishment to Buffalo Bills Players Ahead of Playoffs
So, as two Buffalo Bills players head into their playoff game, they’re also being disciplined by the NFL. The good news is that neither of these players are being suspended for their actions, so they’ll be available to appear in the playoffs.
On Saturday, January 10, the NFL announced that they’re punishing Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa by fining him $14,491 for “unsportsmanlike conduct” and “removal of the helmet” at the 12:52 mark in the third quarter of the Jets game. The league is also disciplining offensive tackle Tylan Grable by fining him $5,569 for “unsportsmanlike conduct” and a “violent gesture” at the 11:48 mark in the second quarter of the game.
The funds raised from those fines will go to the Professional Athletes 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.”
If either Buffalo Bills player wants to appeal, they’re allowed, although players usually just comply. According to the league, “Cases are heard by appeals officers and former NFL players, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA.” After that point, the decisions made are final and binding.”
Buffalo Bills’ Road to the Big Game
If the Buffalo Bills take down the Jaguars on Sunday at EverBank Stadium, they’ll move onto the divisional round of the playoffs. That round begins on January 17, with the NFL hosting two games: one at 4:30 p.m. and the other at 8:15 p.m. Then, on January 18, the NFL will host two more games: one at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
The AFC Championship is set for January 25 at 3 p.m., and the NFC Championship is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Whoever wins those games will head to the Super Bowl, which is set for February 8 at 6:30 p.m. on NBC.
“Just trusting reads, trusting feet, trusting eyes, trusting my teammates. I think that’s what it kind of comes down to,” Allen said ahead of the Jags game. “As we get into the playoffs, it was a very helpful exercise to do.”
NFL Announces Punishment for Multiple Bills Players Before Playoffs