The NFL fined Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters for his touchdown-saving horse collar tackle on Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson during last week’s 17-13 Raiders win on Monday Night Football.
Peters, who was penalized on the play, received a $13,378 fine for unnecessary roughness.
The play occurred at the 7:15 mark of the third quarter. Watson was racing for a score but Peters pulled him down by the collar of his uniform, preventing what would have been an 83-yard touchdown and setting up the Packers inside the 10-yard line. Green Bay didn’t convert the opportunity into a touchdown and settled for a field goal, so Peters’ penalty ended up saving the Raiders four points. Las Vegas went on to a score a touchdown and win by four points.
While Peters’ tackle didn’t appear malicious, the NFL reviewed the play and determined it fell under the league’s “gameday accountability” umbrella, which is used to “protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” Not only was Peters’ tackle dangerous for Watson individually, but it was an illegal play that prevented a clear scoring opportunity.
For Peters and the Raiders, the fine is a cheap price to pay for a game-changing play.
No player for the Packers was fined during Week 5.
Jordan Love rolls out and finds a wide open Christian Watson for 77 yards!
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