The season may be over for New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, but the NFL is still coming for its pound of flesh.
On Saturday, the league announced that Thibodeaux had been fined $16,883 for a roughing the passer penalty (blow to the head/neck) in Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The infraction occurred with just 1:51 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Giants trailing, 17-13. The Eagles were facing a third-and-11 from the Giants’ 37-yard line when quarterback Tanner McKee hit wide receiver Ainias Smith for a five-yard gain.
Had the penalty not been called, the Eagles faced a fourth-and-long and the Giants stood to get the ball back with added time remaining even if Philly connected on the longer field goal.
Instead, the penalty was enforced from the Giants’ 32-yard line, setting the Eagles up with a first-and-10 from the 17-yard line. They ran another 1:04 off the clock before kicker Jake Elliott connected from 32 yards out.
It was effectively game over.
The Giants did get the ball back with 47 seconds left on the clock but failed to do anything with it. Quarterback Drew Lock tossed a game-sealing interception just 11 seconds later.
This was Thibodeaux’s second fine of the season. He was also previously fined $16,883 for unnecessary roughness (late hit) in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys.
