Dallas Cowboys defense receives $46,883 punishment as NFL quietly admits a mistake from overtime loss to Cardinals
Three Dallas Cowboys defenders took a financial hit after the overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. And one of those fines changes how a key second-quarter turnover looks in hindsight.
The Dallas Cowboys were fined a combined $46,883 for three separate plays in their overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. One of those fines also amounts to the NFL admitting it made a mistake during the game.
The league released the official numbers to the public on Saturday as part of its weekly process of revealing which players were fined, and for which plays. Three different Cowboys defenders made the list.
Let’s break it down.
DeMarvion Overshown’s fine is the NFL admitting a mistake
Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was fined $9,528 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) on a second-quarter play.
Here’s the thing about that play: Overshown forced a fumble on it. No flag was thrown and no penalty was called. After reviewing the play, the NFL determined it was illegal, which is why the fine came down.
The league is admitting it missed the call in real time. That’s particularly relevant considering the play produced a turnover against the Cardinals offense. If the officials had flagged Overshown, Arizona would have had a chance to score at the end of the first half.
PJ Locke’s return comes with a costly price tag
Safety PJ Locke drew the most expensive fine of the three. The league fined him $19,444 for an unnecessary roughness penalty in overtime, also for use of the helmet.
The play came in Locke’s first game back from injury. I’m sure this isn’t the news he wanted to receive.
Locke’s role shouldn’t shrink because of it, though. Going into Sunday’s Week 9 matchup, expect Locke to play plenty of football again, since the Cowboys are likely to keep Caleb Downs in the slot.
Rashan Gary’s penalty frustrated fans the most
The fourth-quarter play that frustrated Cowboys fans most during the game also cost edge rusher Rashan Gary. The NFL fined him $17,911 for roughing the passer.
The context makes it sting even more. The Cardinals were facing third-and-10 while trailing by 10 points. A stop would have forced Arizona to either go for it on fourth down or settle for a field goal.
Instead, Gary’s penalty extended the drive. The Cardinals scored a touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24, and that set the stage for their game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter.
It was one of the most costly plays of the game and one of the biggest mistakes Dallas made. Now it’s an expensive one financially, too.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted the team talked to Gary privately about the play. Some fans are wondering whether Gary will face discipline in the form of a reduced snap count after such a mistake.
I’d bet against it. The Cowboys are dealing with an injury to first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence, which landed him on injured reserve. Dallas doesn’t have the luxury of sitting a pass rusher right now, so expect to see Gary on the field Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
According to the NFL Operations website, “fines are collected and donated 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.”
That’s a small silver lining for three defenders who’d rather forget their afternoon in Arizona. For Dallas, the bigger concern is cleaning up the penalties before the Colts come to town.
