The Buffalo Bills are heading to the NFL playoffs, which is a beautiful thing, and they capped off a strong 2025-26 regular season on Sunday, January 4, with a win over the New York Jets with a 35-8 final score. Now, the Bills have a 12-5 record for the season and will appear in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs at EverBank Stadium against the No. 3 seed Jacksonville Jaguars. The game is set for 1 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, January 11.
So, Week 18 brought the blowout showdown between the Bills and Jets, but Week 17 brought other fireworks. In that game, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Bills in a 13-12 final tally. But, following the win, two Eagles players are in hot water with the NFL for actions taken during that game.
Every week during the season, the NFL hands down punishments to players for actions that happened 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.” Before the season each year, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on the set of game-related rules violations that result in these accountability measures.
Philadelphia Eagles Players Punished for Moves Against Buffalo Bills
On Saturday, January 3, the NFL announced that they’re punishing Eagles safety Sydney Brown and tight end Grant Calcaterra for actions taken during the Eagles and Bills game on Sunday, December 28. The league is fining Brown $8,432 for “unnecessary roughness” and “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing” at the 0:08 mark in the second quarter of the game and Calcaterra $6,353 for “unsportsmanlike conduct” and “taunting” at the 0:13 mark in the third quarter of the game.
If either players wish to appeal the fine, they’re allowed to do so. According to the NFL, “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 the final review, though, “the decisions made are final and binding.”
Most players just pay the fines and don’t appeal. If they do, the funds will go to a good cause, because the funds raised from all 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.”
Neither players were suspended for their actions. Also, no Bills players were punished for actions taken in that game.
Buffalo Bills Heading to the Postseason
So, the No. 6 seed Buffalo Bills will take on the No. 3 seed Jacksonville Jaguars at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, January 11, in the NFL’s Wild Card round.
Some of the biggest results from Week 18 outside of the Bills include the Seattle Seahawks‘ victory in the NFC securing the No. 1 seed on Saturday, January 3, with their win over the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale to secure that top seed, home games and a first-round bye. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos are No. 1 after their win over the Chargers.
NFL Issues Punishment to Eagles Players for Actions Against Bills