The Denver Broncos received some postgame justice, with the NFL stepping in following an incident involving defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach.
Franklin-Myers, in particular, has been a source of intrigue for different reasons this past week.
However, during its weekly roundup, the NFL announced that it was taking action for a play that saw the former New York Jets star, whom the Broncos acquired in a trade during the 2024 draft, step in to defend his teammate.
NFL Disciplines Chiefs Player Over Broncos’ Malcolm Roach
GettyKingsley Suamataia #76 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The NFL announced on January 3 via its Gameday Accountability portal that Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Kingsley Suamataia received a $8,108 fine for “unnecessary roughness” and, specifically, “Striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing” on a play with Roach in the Broncos’ win.
During the second quarter, Suamataia pushed Roach during a point-after attempt.
Roach was in the air, making him a defenseless player. That resulted in an unnecessary roughness call on the Chiefs’ offensive lineman.
Franklin-Myers saw the interaction and pushed Suamataia, drawing a flag on himself and the Broncos. Fortunately for the Broncos, Franklin-Myers’ infraction was offset due to Suamataia’s, negating the impact of both.
Moreover, Franklin-Myers avoided punishment for his role in the series of events.
This marks the second time in the past five weeks that the Broncos have avoided receiving any fines after a game, per Spotrac.
They had an especially costly week in Week 16, receiving three fines. The NFL docked Roach, Alex Singleton, and PJ Locke for infractions committed during the Broncos’ loss at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In total, the NFL has docked Broncos players $99,093 in fines this season.
That the NFL often fines players over infractions that did not draw flags but did not levy any against the Broncos is also encouraging.
Broncos Among Biggest Beneficiaries of Officiating
GettyJohn Franklin-Myers #98 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with teammates against the Dallas Cowboys.
While Franklin-Myers, Roach, and the Broncos avoided receiving any fines over their play against the Chiefs, Denver has been penalized more times (123) than all but three other teams entering Week 18, per NFL Penalties.
The Broncos’ penalties against have cost them more yards than any other team.
Notably, the Broncos also rank seventh in terms of benefiting from calls made during games this season. They are 18th in yards gained from those calls, though.
Encouragingly for the Broncos, just one team that has benefited from calls more than they have is in the AFC. Moreover, that team–the Cleveland Browns–is not in the playoffs. At the same time, three of the teams that have benefited more from penalty yards will be.
The Broncos are looking at a bye in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
That clouds who their matchup could be. The Broncos could very well match up against two of those teams–the Houston Texans or the Los Angeles Chargers–in the Divisional Round.
Franklin-Myers, Roach, and the Broncos are facing a resting Chargers team in the regular-season finale. However, they lost their matchup in Week 3 this season and struggled with them last season. The Broncos defeated the Texans in Week 9.
Beating a team twice is difficult, which could work for or against the Broncos this postseason.
NFL Takes Disciplinary Action Over Broncos Player Before Finale