2026 Week Five Fine Blotter

It's that time again.

We'll start with quite a few helmet fouls this week:

• Arizona:  Elijah Higgins, $20,411
• Buffalo:  James Cook, $21,167
• Cincinnati:  Erick All, $7,073
• Cincinnati:  Jordan Battle, $21,623  Both within the first half of the first quarter.
• Cleveland:  Carson Schwesinger, $14,699
• Las Vegas:  Maxx Crosby, $23,882

Taunting:

• Buffalo:  Bradley Chubb, $14,329.  Making him a TWO-TIME LOSER.

Shockingly, though there were six helmet fouls this week, ONLY ONE TAUNTING FOUL.

Striking, etc.:

• Buffalo, their third of the week:  Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, $11,194  And the second TWO-TIME LOSER for Buffalo this week.

Low Block:

• Washington:  Amik Robertson, $12,537, making him a TWO-TIME LOSER in two weeks.

Face Mask:

• Dallas:  Otito Ogbonnia, $11,111
• Houston:  Jaylen Noel, $8,165
• LA Rams:  Braden Fiske, $11,941
• New England:  Mike Brown, $6,750
• Washington:  Dorance Armstrong, $11,941

And one more that bleeds us into the Points of Emphasis:

• New York Jets:  Minkah Fitzpatrick has earned a league meeting for his second strike.  Not only was he fined $11,941 for a facemask, but another $17,911 for the defenseless player foul previously referenced on the blog.  That makes him a THREE-TIME LOSER in two weeks, and STRIKE TWO against the policy.  Both fouls were in the first quarter, both fouls against KC Concepcion.  They removed him from the game, but he is not on this week's injury report. 
• Baltimore:  Nnamdi Madubuike, $17,911 for a hip-drop tackle.  His first strike.
• Detroit:  DJ Wonnum, $12,611 for a hip-drop tackle.  His first strike.
• Indianapolis:  Austin Ajiake, $5,583, defenseless player.  His first strike.
• San Francisco:  Malik Mustapha, $6,998, defenseless player.  His first strike.
• Tennessee:  Micah Robinson, $5,583, hip-drop tackle.  His first strike.

Six PoE fouls this week:  Three hip-drops, three defenseless player hits.

And then two fouls declared "Away From The Play" and not otherwise classified:

• Jacksonville:  Bryan Thomas, $4,972, on the opening kickoff.
• Philadelphia:  Jeremiah Trotter, $6,428.  They both were on the same play, that ejection altercation that got them tossed before a play from scrimmage even occurred.   

22 fines and two previously reported suspensions this week.

Oh Great... Josh Jacobs is back...

You better not fucking play him, Green Bay...

I guess it would be six games after the Cowboys game Sunday night, but the NFL has announced the removal next week of Josh Jacobs from the Commissioner's List, even though the investigation continues.

So is Johnathon Cooper, for his two DV arrests.

I see too many of these stories every day, and I'm beginning to wonder if youth should have organized sports...

I am legitimately seeing stories about every day now about football teams being shut down across the country and all that.

But I have two three stories from today that make me wonder if youth should have organized sports.  And the first one is a throwback to a previous story I did -- I believe way back at the beginnings of this blog!

Dateline:  Winter Haven, FL.

Youth football game degenerates into a parent fight after.  We hear this story from time to time, and it's not that uncommon, sadly.

But then you remember that Florida youth football often involves gang-fueled betting on the game.

And this time, the Sheriff actually had his office right next to the field!

He's threatening to send undercover cops to future games.  They better be armed -- Florida youth football has THAT reputation, and I don't think even Johnny Law is going to be immune from the effects.

------------

Of course, you could be Penn Wood High School in Pennsylvania -- all activities suspended during an investigation to an unnamed incident which has prompted not only a special investigator, but a student walkout at the punishment.

Apparently, according to a number of people, it's another hazing incident.

One game has already been forfeited, and I would be surprised (especially when a fight broke out during the walkout -- unrelated) that the other two probably are going with it.

----------

And here's one I saw later that places a bunch of things in conflict.

Dateline:  Arizona

Desert Ridge's football season is basically over.  And it's basically the coach stating he's the ultimate boss, at ANY cost.

Late in a game, Gunner Brewer had a play called for himself by the coach.  Brewer, probably seeing something at the line, audibles the play to a running play, and the running back gets a first down, Desert Ridge wins.

And you'd THINK this wouldn't cause a problem.  AT BEST, the coach might pull Brewer aside and say that it was a good call, but, if you do that again, you better be right.

Nope.

Not only did head coach Miles Smith throw him off the team, he banned him from being around anyone else on the team.

And THEN Smith threw 12 more players off the team when they decided to stand up for him.

This also after Smith FIRED the offensive coordinator during the season.

It's clear that the coach wants to clean house.  The team went 0-10 last year.  They won two games this year, but lost 49-7 and 50-0 since Gunner got tossed.  And in the former game, Brewer violated the coach's directive and showed up.  Media had to be banned from the stadium last night.

I get the real sense that we're looking at a Coach Deion situation here.  Wipe the slate clean, and force the issue -- either get some better football players or end the tackle football program.

Well, we have our answer... The Dodgers have gone MAGA...

I was wondering what got the Dodgers out of the commissioner's doghouse and into what appeared to be Most Favored Nation status before last night's elimination.

We have our answers:  Some of the most MAGA-level entitled twats around.

And I'm not talking just the players, who pal around with Trump every chance they can get.

And I'm not talking just former players like NBC analyst Clayton Kershaw, who decided to go all homophobic for "Christian Pride Night" and against the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

And I'm not talking just former players like Dodger announcer Orel Hersheiser, who used his microphone to go all transphobic and proclaim the old MAGA canard about men in women's sports.

I'm not just talking the ownership group -- at least one major owner of which donates to MAGA causes whenever he gets the chance.

But these FANS...  Give them a title or two and they start sounding like Boston and Yankee and Cub fans.

They are somehow CONVINCED that the Brewers cheated, Trashtros style.

Milwaukee won the season series, 4-3.  Including 2-1 at Dodger Stadium.

Now the fans are spawning all sorts of shit, basically talking about the Brewers dooming themselves (remember, they were also in LAST YEAR'S NLCS against the Dodgers!) or this and that and the other.

Why do you think Urinating Tree celebrated last night with (as one of at least three Tweets) the "World Peace" scene from The Simpsons?

But yep, you're MAGA and entitled.  Gee, what a concept.

2026 Week Five Discipline Blotter Suspension Appeals

• Dre Greenlaw has LOST his suspension appeal -- he sits this week.
• Alaric Jackson has WON a partial appeal -- his two-game suspension has been reduced to one.

It is long past time to throw in the towel on some schools having football.

Not only on safety, but, also, what I call "uneducational results".

The latest example comes from Oregon.

And, frankly, this result should've been reversed on the way out.

Marist Catholic High School's head coach decided the other team, since they only had 16 kids on the team, had no right to soil the field with their presence.

In just 24 minutes, Marist Catholic scored nine touchdowns, and kicked two onside kicks just to put the nose in it.

The opponents walked at halftime.

Wait...  I said the head coach of Marist Catholic?

Try FORMER head coach of Marist Catholic.  For that stunt, he's been FIRED!!!

After Further Review: 2026 Jake The Awake Asshole Week Five

So let's see what he did with one of the most...  interesting...  weeks in the history of the league.  Both with the refs and with the slop.

Pre-lay:  Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver, running play with apparent slop.  We'll see what he comes up with on that...  later.

10)  Jacksonville-Philadelphia in London.  No score, 1st quarter, about five and a half minutes to go and Jacksonville at about midfield.

Eagles defender tries to trip the Jacksonville pass catcher, whiffs, and it's all Yards After Catch for Parker Washington for the first score.

9)  Vikings-Saints.  7-6 New Orleans, Vikings in the red zone about three minutes into the second quarter.

And we're zoomed in on trips left, and especially on Justin Jefferson, who facemasks the Saints defender rather violently, uses that to get off the block, but then that defender and two other Saints key in on Jefferson.  It's triple coverage in the end zone.  One defender jumps too early, takes out the other defender in front -- clearing the way, and Jefferson scores the six.

8)  Dallas and Tampa Thursday Night.  Knew this game was going to make the list.  24-16 Bucs, nearing the end...

And I knew this play was going to make the list.  Prescott, right into the hands of the tight end.  Who then pops it right into the air and a Buccaneer comes in for the pick.  Saw that play Thursday night, and knew it was going to make the list.

I know, often, his numbering doesn't make sense, but this one ended the game.  So it really should be #2 to the one in Washington.  (Which I already know is on the list -- he said so on Sunday.  Hint:  I demanded it be #1, and it was.)

7)  Seattle-San Francisco, and this WASN'T the Refball.  Ball's at midfield, 3rd and 10 for the Seahawks.

Right in the hands, right out of the hands.  The old saying "If you get it in your hands, you have to catch it..."  That is, unless San Francisco is supposed to win the game.

6)  Return of the Doink Time.  Three this week for 11 for the season.  Jake reiterates his case for the magnetic balls and goalposts.  And he's right -- doinks used to be quite rare.  Now:  11 in 5 weeks?

1.  Miami-Cincinnati.  Looks like an extra point.  45 seconds to go in the game, Dolphins down seven, 31-24.

Ball looks like it's going to split the uprights, but is sent to the left side, off the left upright, no good.

2.  Raiders-Patriots  14-7 Pats inside the two-minute warning of the first half, and we have a Gay field goal attempt from 49.

Boinks off the left upright (a bit more natural of a flight than that MIA-CIN one), New England gets the ball and yardage, scores another touchdown before halftime, off to the races.

3.  Cleveland and the Jets.  Looks like another extra point.  6:15 to go in the fourth, and Cleveland has just scored to take a 12-10 lead...

Only to have the extra point, with no wind, head right to the right upright, bonk off, and you can figure out the rest.

5)  Atlanta-Baltimore Sunday night.  It's overtime, and Michael Penix is on the bench.  And that means it's Tua Time!!!  Baltimore has just scored a touchdown, Atlanta must now too.

And he throws it blatantly to a covered receiver where the pick is insanely easy.  Game over.  That will make at least three DIRECT end-of-game slop situations this week.  And there may be more.

4) Back to Seahawks-49ers, and a Seahawks defender tries again to go low on a ball carrier and completely whiffs it.  23-21 Seattle, five minutes to go in the third.

But Deebo Samuel then fumbles the ball, loses possession to the Seahawks, and gets injured on the play to boot!  (Which Jake declares the injury scripted too.)

3) Chargers-Broncos, and I think this was the overlaid play.  10-10, one minute left, 3rd quarter.

Charges through a pile of players.  At least 5 Broncos whiff the tackle (on top of Vidal just waltzing through the pile of bodies), touchdown Kimani Vidal.

2) Same game, and it's another apparent Justin (S)Herbert scripted interception.  20-17 Denver, about 3 minutes to go in the game, and here it comes...

Right to the defender at the 40. 

1) You know it.  I called it and demanded it.  The either thrown or criminal last play of Commanders-Giants for the draw.

It hurts his soul to include it -- that's what he said!

He doesn't even want the play on the list!  He said that too!

The most disappointing play (to him) that can ever be the #1 play...  What...  Is Jake the Awake Asshole a Commanders fan?!?!?!??

And the defenders, as he says, saying "The Commanders just being the Commanders."

No.  FUCKING NO.

That was a DESIGNED QUARTERBACK ROLLOUT.  That was the only play they were going to run there!

You cannot be that fucking stupid.

"So this just proves:  NFL fanboys are literally some of the dumbest, stupidest, most gullible, naive fools in the entire world."

"... a foolish boneheaded mistake..."

You're Fired, You're Fired, You're Suspended: Odds and Sods, October 13

• Max Caster was a professional wrestler whose main gimmick was rapping and mouthing off and getting close to the line.  After the first several years of AEW, he was finally signed to TNA.
• He lasted one night.  His rap that night concerned the attacks on Riyadh -- and since TNA is now a WWE-adjacent company, given WWE's ties to the Saudis...  He's been fired.
• Harrison Mevis has been fired from the LA Rams for miscues leading to their 2-3 record after last night.
• And more bad news for the Bears:  Montez Sweat, banned two games for the performance-enhancing drugs policy.  No, he's probably not ON the stuff.  It's probably that he tested positive for a masking agent.
• And LATE WORD, sources say to Adam Schefter:  Alaric Jackson of the Rams has been banned two games himself!  That punch he threw at the postgame last night will cost him the next two!  This will cost him another about $543,000, according to Spotrac.  And it's the second two-game suspension he's received, receiving a Personal Conduct two-gamer offseason 2024 for filming a woman without her consent.  The 2025 lawsuit from that incident, however, was dismissed.
  
• AND he still might face a misdemeanor domestic violence charge on a 2026 arrest, which might cost him another six!  Well, if there's any further need to question why the Rams are being depushed, here you go!
• Tyreek Hill's NFL career is definitely over now.  Even though it was a mixed verdict, his wife was awarded $500,000 when Hill was found liable for two batteries of her.  At barest of minimum, he probably faces at least a year suspension if not longer, because they're two separate incidents.  A number of other claims were denied, as well as her request for punitive damages.
• I think it might be time for us to force these satire accounts off X.  I basically got caught on one and then had to pull it back -- a story on a 13-year-old seeking $15M a year in NIL from college from the time he enters the 10th grade.  However, the best satire is that which actually has a breath of truth.   

2026 Week Five DUD OF THE WEEK Awards

Usually, I combine this with the Political Rankings.

This week, it might well be too long.

AFC Nominees:

Las Vegas:  What the Hell was that?  Does this now mean that you are not for real and New England is?  Because, while Kansas City had to fight to beat you, that was a BTA job on your asses by the Patriots.

Cleveland:  After the Amazon Broadcast Team in Week Four did a fine job with Rapist Rehabilitation...

The Amazon Crew For Week 4:  For propping up that rapist son of a bitch in Cleveland, by the way, especially given what happened to them in Week 5!!

The 0-5 Club:

Miami:  We need to seriously have a talk here.  You're 0-5, four by double-digits.  And you weren't even the worst 0-5 loss of the week!

The Chargers:   FUCK YOU SPANOS!  It might still be a month before you even have a chance to win...

Tennessee:  Ho-ly shit.  If not for all the steaming bullshit that took place this weekend, you'd be Gold Medal easily.  You made the Packers from the Atlanta game look good.  You're at home, facing an 0-4 Houston team that's shown NOTHING, and you lose TWENTY-SIX TO THREE????  Are you fucking serious right now?  0-17 is a very real possibility with this crew.  58 points in five games.  You know, maybe grooming that rookie quarterback might've been a good idea.

Now the NFC Nominees:

Chicago:  Ow.  This league tends to give favor to teams which have suffered tragedies such as what the Bears suffered Friday.  So you go to Lambeau, against a very beatable Packers team, and you lay the royal freaking egg 31-7.

The Giants:  You don't get out of this so easy.  That was a blatant situation there, and you needed that to get out from under your own mistakes (not nearly as flagrant as the ones of your opponents) to salvage a draw.

Philadelphia and Dallas:  2-3 and going nowhere.

LA Rams:  The Chargers were supposed to go to the playoffs.  The Rams were the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl.  They have two wins combined and don't appear to be ready to do much of anything.

Speaking of going nowhere, the NFC Suck:  The NFC Norris now has fourteen wins between the four teams.  Four of the six losses are in the division.  So what's your excuse, NFC South (Suck)?  Six wins between you, two of them in the division.

And now, the awards ceremony:

COLLEGE DIVISION DUD OF THE WEEK:

Bear Alexander of the Oregon Ducks:  Don't mind the apologetic homer on the X post here, but this was clearly something the team or the Big Ten needed to address.  Neither has.  Even if he's going after the ball, the punch is unnecessary and ejectable and suspendable.

Was this unnecessary? Yes. Was he intentionally trying to hit Nico? No. He was clearly trying to punch the ball out, not take a shot at Nico. https://t.co/8xFFb3tL0O

— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) October 12, 2026

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS:

Bryan Thomas and Jeremiah Trotter:  Both ejected for a brawl on the opening kickoff in London.  Given the NFL's new policy regarding specifically that, that's probably the only thing which probably has them both avoiding a further suspension for that idiocy.

Alaric Jackson of the Los Angeles Rams:  For something you probably missed. Jackson, jersey off, apparently approached Bradley Chubb of the Bills -- they exchanged "pleasantries", and the Ram slugged Chubb square in the face, and ESPN caught it.  We may find out how seriously the league wants to take it either tomorrow or Saturday, depending on what the league wants to do.

The officials in Seattle on Sunday, and the deliberate contradictions of the NFL Rulebook:  Already gone through it on the blog and in a number of different places on social media.  But someone please still explain to me why the ball is spotted where it passes the plane of the out-of-bounds, when a separate pair of definitions has the player still in bounds and the ball still in bounds because neither has touched out...

I do not know how recent that spotting rule is, but under that rule, the Santonio Holmes catch that won a Super Bowl for the Steelers is no catch.  The ball was already out of bounds before Holmes even caught it.

And, FINALLY, the medals:

THE BRONZE MEDAL:  Dre Greenlaw of the San Francisco 49ers

Who better be lucky that headbutt and his record with the league are only worth a one-game suspension (which he is appealing, and I hope he loses the Tuesday hearing on it!).  That's his eighth league discipline incident, his third ejection, and his second suspension (both suspensions within a calendar year).

And I don't care who provokes you -- a headbutt, especially on a helmetless player, is a suspension in my book.

THE SILVER MEDAL:  Minkah Fitzpatrick of the New York Jets

Earlier post on the one hit he did that took KC Concepcion of the Browns out of the game on Sunday.  That hit will draw a league meeting, because it will be his second strike against the Player Safety Points of Emphasis when fines are handed out on Saturday.

It won't be his only fine of the week.  He face-masked Concepcion four plays earlier for a big 15 (and a fine).

THE GOLD MEDAL:  For the most blatant lay-down Jake The Awake Special in a long time, The Washington Commanders

I stand by what I've said:

You can't be that stupid.

You either threw the game on league orders or you took money.  That there's no apparent criminal investigation is all I need to know.

2026 Week Five NFL Political Rankings

Oh, how fickle the Politics can be...

The DeRapist Rapist Redemption Tour derails, Chicago can't get head out of ass in Lambeau for the Mike Ditka Memorial, the refs can't seem to be consistent as to what's in bounds and what is not, let's not even DISCUSS Washington and a criminal or exposing finish...

What a week.  So much so, I'm splitting off Dud of the Week.  That gets it's own post this week.

And so here's where we are regarding the Politicals.  Starting in the AFC:

1) Kansas City

They did nothing this week.  And, hence, they stay where they are, especially because it appears that, for the moment (and I stress FOR THE MOMENT), they are the Political Super Bowl choice.  Guessing Kelce gets one more, retires with Mrs. Kelce, and some point around there we find out Taylor is pregnant.

2) Baltimore

By default.  The question is how long Jackson is gonna be out.  But if Tyrod Taylor can get a win over what was about to be one of the hottest moving teams in the NFC when Michael Penix got healthy, you have to make reference.

2A) Buffalo

Kinda the same point here, after that Monday night NFL production.  But don't look now, New England IS now 3-2 and has a win at Buffalo.  That's how big that Monday nighter got.

4) Jacksonville

Could be a "Services Rendered" here, as their stadium renovations have gotten rid of them all the way into November and eaten two home games besides!

Up a bit:

New England:  See above.

Down a bit:

Las Vegas:  The loss to Kansas City was somewhat understandable.  That performance against New England was NOT.

Cleveland:  Speaking of "What the Hell was THAT?"...

NFC:

1) San Francisco

2) New York Giants

That blatant of gifts by the situation (the officials in San Fran, the other team in New York) has to be a discussion that these two teams have hit a significant amount out in front of the rest of them -- POLITICALLY.

Still trying to figure out, after the Jed York thing, why the league seems to be favoring San Francisco so blatantly, but this is where we are in Week Five!

3) Minnesota

Another team I can't get a bead on.  Howinhell are these guys 5-0?  That said, there they are.

2026 Week Five Scoring Report

Let's see...  In the Monday nighter alone:

• 23 penalties
• 35 points in the fourth quarter
• A five-bagger (3 Cliffhangers, 2 Last Chance Misses)
• And the third overtime game of the week.

So that leaves us with this for the week:

• 208 penalties for the 15 games, almost 14 a game.
• The Packers had only 4 in their BTA job on the Bears (that went completely against NFL history type), meaning now the Cleveland Browns lead the league in flags.
• 726 points this week, 48.4 a game
• Season:  3684 points for 79 games, 46.63 a game
• Bad week for the home teams.  Only 4-9-1 this week.  Season:  40-34-1.  (.540)
• Historic week in one sense:  The first known time that a division went winless in a week in which at least two teams within the division played each other.  (NFC (L)East)
• Along with the three overtime games, six games finished outside of one score.
• Of those six, four were non-competitive, making 48/79 games within one score.
• And now the fun part:  
• Eight Cliffhangers, but only in 4 games:  Double Cliffhangers in London and the Sunday nighter, Triple Cliffhanger Monday night.  Meaning, for the season:  29 Cliffhangers, but only in 17 games.
• Nine Last Chance Misses in six games.  Double in the Monday nighter with the Triple Cliffhanger, Triple in that debacle in Washington.  Meaning, of the 48 games finishing within one score, 17 have changed or tied 2 minute warning second half or later, but 34 have had at least one team fail to do so.
• Multiples:
• Double Cliffhanger in London.  Philly gets the lead at 17-16 with eight seconds left, promptly gives up another huge kickoff return -- this one stands) and gets kicked out at the gun.
• Four-bagger, including a Triple Last Chance miss in that draw in Washington.  Tying and last scoring touchdown for 27-27 at 1:43 for New York.  New York misses a field goal two minutes into the overtime, three and out punt, New York fumbles it away first down at the Washington 24 at 1:55 left, you know the rest.
• Double Cliffhanger in the Sunday nighter.  TD+2 to tie it for Baltimore at 40 seconds.  Atlanta can't quite get it to an LCM on regulation.  Seven minute touchdown drive wins it in the OT for Baltimore.  Pick at the Baltimore 40 seals it.
• Five-bagger -- Triple Cliffhanger, Double Last Chance Miss -- in the Monday nighter.  James Cook breaks the tie for Buffalo at 1:39 of regulation.  The Rams tie it back up with five seconds left.  Buffalo then gets the ball first in OT, and fumbles it at the Rams' 22.  The Rams then get a field goal to win it blocked, and THEN finally Buffalo wins it just after the overtime two-minute warning.

2026 Supplemental Discipline Blotter: Greenlaw should NOT use his head.

• San Francisco:  Dre Greenlaw, banned one game for that headbutt.  Will cost Greenlaw a little more than $140,000.

This is, in fact, the third time since 2022 Greenlaw has been ejected.  November 18, 2022 (for which he was additionally fined about $10,000) for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Justin Herbert.  And another sideline altercation (the famous Big Dom one) December 8, 2023 against Philadelphia (for which he was also fined about $10,000).

And this is his second suspension.  Separate to that, he was suspended in October of 2025 for abuse of officials.

Since the beginning of his career in 2019, this is his eighth disciplinary action in the NFL.

Side note:  Penalty count for the week so far (with one fewer game because of the first byes -- and it's two of the better early-season teams, KC and Carolina), 185.  A few fewer than has been, but still a bit.

After Further Review: And yep, they found the counterexample...

And what a shock, it's the Chiefs!!!

From this season!

Watch the second part of the replay, at the sideline.  Remember, they're telling you the ball spots where it crossed the plane of the boundary.

But the Chiefs got a first down here.

Okay I'm confused again. This play happened *this year* and was ruled a first down. How is this not the same situation with the ball breaking the plane of the sideline before crossing the line to gain? I need consistency one way or the other https://t.co/QBGtMVmU6U

— Seahawk Nerd (@SeahawkNerd) October 12, 2026

After Further Review: Another live one...

32-29 for undefeated San Francisco at 3-1 Seattle.

4th and 10 at midfield.  This catch by Cooper Kupp was ruled short, as rules analyst Dean Blandino tries to explain the screwjob:

Two great teams. It came down to this. https://t.co/RyJ1y4Nbnq

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2026

Don't believe me?  This angle might give you a better idea.

IT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE HOW THIS WAS RULED SHORT OF A FIRST DOWN. COOPER KUPP NEVER STEPPED OUT OF BOUNDS BEFORE EXTENDING THE BALL PAST THE FIRST-DOWN MARKER: https://t.co/WSGnwqXpSf

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) October 11, 2026

Kupp never contacts the ground out of bounds before reaching a full yard over the line to gain.  And they even have that angle to establish irrefutable evidence that he got there.

Blandino is actually claiming the ball is out of bounds once it breaks the plane of the sideline -- much the same way as a ball breaking the plane of the end zone scores the touchdown.

And it turns out we found the rule he's quoting...  

Rule 3, Section 20, Article 4:

"If the ball is in player possession when that player goes out of bounds, the out of bounds spot is the forward point of the ball when the ball crosses the sideline, or, if the ball does not cross the sideline, the forward point of the ball at the instant the player is out of bounds."

BUT...

Rule 3, Section 7, Note 3 of the NFL Rulebook, 2026 Edition:

"If any part of the foot hits out of bounds during the normal continuous motion of taking a step (heel-toe or toe-heel), then the foot is out of bounds. A player is inbounds if he drags his foot, or if there is a delay between the heel-toe or toe-heel touching the ground."   

Rule 3, Section 20, Article 3:

"A ball that is in player possession is out of bounds when the runner is out of bounds, or when the ball touches a boundary line or anything that is on or outside such line, except another player or an official."

So am I to then conclude that any such reach is actually immaterial, and an airborne person could actually lose several feet or a couple yards because of this contradiction?

Welcome to another rulebook contradiction to rig games.

We have the officials' explanation now.  They're saying 3-20-4 supersedes 3-20-3 and 3-7-3 -- the ball is dead and out of bounds upon it crossing the plane of the sideline in that case...

An interesting side note:  The Greenlaw ejection came from New York.

OK, NOW I found a live one!!!

It is now clear that the NFL has an agenda for the New York Giants.

I do not, at this point, know how far this goes, etc. and so forth.

But THIS was the last play of the 27-27 tie between the Commanders and the Giants.  Explain to me THIS play call if there isn't something grander going on with the Giants this season...

Just...  saying...

THE COMMANDERS WERE IN FG RANGE AND RAN THE BALL WITH NO TIMEOUTS AND THE GAME ENDS IN A TIE. https://t.co/Tn9ZfaKNp9

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 11, 2026

That's a 41-yard field goal -- six longer than an extra point.

That is an arrestable offense for the coach, the offensive coordinator, and the quarterback.

"Whoever carries into effect, attempts to carry into effect, or conspires with any other person to carry into effect any scheme in commerce to influence, in any way, by bribery any sporting contest, with knowledge that the purpose of such scheme is to influence by bribery that contest, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both."

Sports Bribery.  18 US Code 224.

After Further Review: Enjoy your meeting with the league, Minkah...

Minkah Fitzpatrick, at minimum, will be facing an NFL league meeting this week.

He could well get suspended for this Defenseless Player hit outright, but this will be Strike Two on Saturday after a hip-drop tackle last week at barest of minimum, which, under the new policy, triggers a league meeting with him and his coordinator coach.

Minkah Fitzpatrick should be out of the league @NFLOfficiating https://t.co/65LSNOmuA6

— McNeil (@REFLOG18) October 11, 2026

KC Concepcion is done for the day after that hit.

2026 Week 5 Megablog

• The NFL is going to have to step in on general indiscipline.  I don't know how with a lot of the other stuff than the Fine Blotter stuff, but it's clear that the NFL is sending a message and it didn't get through.
• Another 20-penalty game in a double Cliffhanger in London today, also featuring a 57-yard kickoff return between them that did stand.  (48-yard field goal for Philly for 17-16 at eight seconds, only to come back with the kickoff return for a 57-yard return shot at the gun.)
• Not counted in those 20 penalties was the opening kickoff.  That play, in and of itself, is probably a microcosm of this early season.  Josh Cameron took the opening kickoff 90 yards for a Jacksonville touchdown.
• There was a problem.  More correctly, three problems for four nullifying penalties and two ejections.  The formation Philadelphia had was illegal, a Jacksonville player committed holding, and then, after the play, Bryan Thomas of Jacksonville and Jeremiah Trotter of Philadelphia got in a fight and both were tossed.
• Elsewhere in England, going to their version of football for a second:  The virulent match took place today between Manchester City and Liverpool.  At least one Liverpool player got sent off, his second yellow for scissoring the Man City player's leg between his own for a dangerous tackle from behind (which no one other than the VAR and all the fans of City's (and me) believe).  Man City scored three goals a man up for a 3-0 win.
• Story from Thursday night:  After a game that I do believe Dallas threw, a team employee in the tunnel, as Dak Prescott walked past, called the performance embarrassing to his face.  Friday, the team employee was fired.  Only thing they could do, but I do wonder if the performance was seen as a reflection on the entire organization.   
• Oof.  I've got some early Dud candidates for this week and I think I have two winners.  One college, one pro.
• Well, I see I now have THREE 3-1 candidates, including the DeRapist Rapist Redemption Tour lasting one prime-time game... Oof.  That performance today makes Al Michaels and the Amazon crew from last week's Thursday game look REALLY BAD!!   
• Not really that much from the first slot of games that was identifiable that I couldn't quickly debunk.  Many saying the Fitzpatrick hit was clean...  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...
• And a DRAW in Washington!!!  27-27 with the Giants...
• And many questioning the pass interference call on a Washington pick.  With replay clearly showing a hold and restrict on the person making the pick...  This is why I ask for video, people... 
• Apparently, someone decided to blow $2,820, thinking that, somehow, the Jacksonville Jaguars were going to get a score in eight seconds to beat Philadelphia.
• That person is now $125,000+ richer. 
• We have at least a third ejection.  Dre Greenlaw has been ejected for a late hit and then a headbutt to a Seattle player on the sideline fracas which resulted.  The NFL office is going to have a very busy Monday.   

2026 NFL Week 4 Fine Blotter

Before we begin the Week 4 Fine Blotter:

San Francisco's Kyle Juszycyck and Dallas' Jake Ferguson both got their celebration fines reversed.  A little surprised they reversed Ferguson, for that one clearly used the ball as a prop.

And, later Wednesday, the union and the league changed the rules to clarify that drinking celebrations are not be declared fouls or fines.  So it sounds like ALL of the drinking celebration fines from Week 2 will be reversed.

32 on the books this week.

Conduct:

An illegal celebration in Cleveland on a 2nd quarter touchdown got three Browns:

• Cleveland:  Austin Barber, $6,944
• Cleveland:  Quinshon Judkins, $14,397
• Cleveland:  DeShaun Watson, $14,926

The celebration was at least two of them toking it up.  That one might stand.

Taunting:

• Dallas:  Kavontae Turpin, $11,941
• New Orleans:  Akeem Davis-Gaither, $11,941
• Jacksonville:  Travon Walker, $11,941
• Pittsburgh:  DK Metcalf, $11,941
• San Francisco:  Dre Greenlaw, $11,941

Leg Whip

• Arizona:  Trey McBride, $17,911
• Detroit:  Brock Wright, $17,911

Facemask:

• Cincinnati:  Boye Mafe...
• Cincinnati:  And Myles Murphy, $11,941 each
• Jacksonville:  Jarrian Jones, $8,201
• Washington:  Amik Robertson, $11,941

Striking, etc:

• LA Chargers:  Tre Harris, $9,870
• Seattle:  Josh Jobe, $12,537
• Tennessee:  John Franklin-Myers, $12,537

Chop Block:

• New England:  Treveyon Henderson, $12,537

Roughing the Passer:

• Seattle:  DeMarcus Lawrence, $17,911, contact to the knee.  He had last week's fine reversed for a shot to the head, or this one would've gone double. 

Helmet fouls, still not sure if they apply under Launching:

• New Orleans:  Isaiah Stalbird, $5,972.
• New York Jets:  Probably in some trouble with the league this week.  Two definite Points of Emphasis fouls and this one which may be:  Dane Belton, $19,389
• Seattle:  Nick Emmanwori is the big loser of the week, and if this counts, he has TWO STRIKES.  He definitely has one, see below:  $14,648 for the helmet

And now the Points of Emphasis, of which there seem to be a few this week:

• Baltimore:  Trenton Simpson, $17,911, horse-collar tackle.  His first strike.
• Cleveland, their FOURTH of the week:  Adin Huntington, $5,620, hip-drop tackle.  His first strike.
• Dallas:  Reddy Steward, $5,583, defenseless player foul. His first strike.
• Denver:  Ben Powers, $17,911, blindside block.  His first strike.
• Detroit:  Jack Campbell, $15,930, hip-drop tackle.  His first strike.
• Houston:  Kamari Lassiter, $13,659, defenseless player foul.  His first strike.
• LA Rams:  Nate Landman, $11,111, defenseless player foul.  Makes him a TWO-TIME LOSER -- his other foul was a helmet foul.  So if that qualifies under the Launching provision, he would be the first player subject to a league meeting for two strikes.  Still not clear on it.
• New York Jets:  Minkah Fitzpatrick, $17,911, hip-drop tackle.  His first strike.
• New York Jets:  Darrel Jackson, $6,683, hip-drop tackle.  His first strike.
• Seattle, totalling FOUR for the week:  Nick Emmanwori, $14,648 for a hip-drop tackle.  Depends on the helmet foul for Launching provision.  And the fouls were just over a minute apart.   

That's TEN definite for the Points of Emphasis this week.  A horse-collar, three defenseless player fouls, a blindside block, and FIVE hip-drop tackles.  And the one that injured a member of the Chiefs was declared not a hip-drop tackle, even though many felt it was.

Various (other) Odds and Sods, October 9, 2026

• Week 5 looks to have gotten off to the same start Week 4 did.  20 penalties in the game...
• ... a game it greatly appears that the Dallas Cowboys threw for some reason.  Indecipherable decision for the Bucs to go for it on 4th down at the 1 up 14, but several Jake the Awake specials never had the game in doubt, including a nearly 70-yard pass for the Buccaneers, caught where the receiver had no discernible challenge within at least ten yards.
• We may have our answer, courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook -- a Vegas job...

  BETTORS ARE ALL OVER DALLAS 🚨 92% of the Bets on Cowboys ML 91% of the Money on Cowboys ML 71% of the Bets on Cowboys Spread 68% of the Money on Cowboys Spread The Cowboys are this week's biggest favorite 👀 https://t.co/EN6tLgEyN3

  — Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) October 7, 2026

• A bizarre pro wrestling story from Mexico.  A luchador (a "free fighter" -- a pro wrestler) from Mexico is in jail for at least manslaughter charges that a package piledriver (basically gather someone up, put his head between your legs, and sit down, ostensibly dropping someone on their head) went wrong a few days ago and the referee of his match is dead.  El Hijo del Fishman (The Son of Fishman) is awaiting trial for killing the 75-year-old referee of the match.  I don't think I need to tell you on how many levels, even for pro wrestling or the dramaticism of Lucha Libre, this sounds about twelve shades of wrong.   
• 4:50 PDT:  A Missouri man will no longer be allowed to referee in the MSHSAA (the Missouri high-school federation) after this incident after a taunting act after a touchdown in a game between Glendale and Kickapoo:

  I’ve received a statement from a MSHSAA member after this incident (video below) during Thursday night’s matchup between Glendale and Kickapoo. “We were made aware of the situation, and the official in question has been suspended indefinitely.” 🎥: @ShotzByLogan https://t.co/UNRQARJE9Z

  — Danielle King (@DanielleRKing_) October 9, 2026

  There are only two reasons you do that, and both involve violent acts (against the officials or the other team).  This was not appropriate.  You assess the 15 yards, you talk to the coach, any more and the kid is in the locker room.  Period-end.   

It had to happen in Bear Week...

Even I like to go and do "The Bears Still Suck" during Bear Week.

Today, a bit of steam came off that -- and Sunday might well have been decided, knowing the NFL...

In a moment that people with a conscience will probably salute on several different possible grounds, Mike Ditka got proverbially "run over with a truck" and has passed away at 86.  (No actual cause of death was reported.)

A homophobe, a transphobe, a supporter of beating your kid (Adrian Peterson era), etc.

Ditka was a motherfucker.  And a lot of Bear Fans love him for it.

This was NOT a good man.  And many people think that's what made him a good coach.

Ditka was a large reason "The Bears Still Suck" -- even when the song lauds the rivalry and is largely good-natured, there was still a little venom for the son of a bitch.