THE NFL has dished out a $45,000 fine from the Kansas City Chiefs’ win last weekend.
The Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the Sunday prime time showdown in Week 14.
Kansas City edged to a 19-17 victory in a low-scoring thriller to improve to 12-1.
Running back Isiah Pacheco had 14 carries for 55 yards in a bruising, physical divisional showdown.
And one play during the game resulted in a huge fine for Pacheco.
During the second quarter, he caught a swing pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes with the Chiefs backed up.
Pacheco grabbed hold of the pass in the flat to the right and was met by a Chargers defender.
The rusher lowered his head and hit defensive back Kristian Fulton with his helmet before being pushed out of bounds.
And that act has landed him in hot water.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced on X on Saturday, “The NFL fined Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco $45,020 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) on this play last week.
“No flag was thrown,” he also noted.
Pacheco, 25, became a key part of the Chiefs offence in their Super Bowl run last year with his physical style.
But he was too physical on this occasion and handed a $45,000 fine by the league.
Pacheco is eager to make up for lost time having spent a large part of the 2024 season in injured reserve.
He fractured his foot in Week 2 and only returned on Black Friday.
Sunday’s game against the Chargers was only his fourth of the season as a result.
Head coach Andy Reid admitted he held Pacheco back until he was convinced the running back was 100 per cent healthy.
He has 55 carries for 234 yards and a touchdown in his four games this year.
And Kansas City is playing the long game with Pacheco’s health to keep him fresh for the playoffs.
The Chiefs are looking to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls.
They brought back former running back Kareem Hunt to lead the backfield while Pacheco dealt with injury.
And Kansas City has Marquise Brown almost ready to return from injury in the receiving game.
