Bucs Star Hit With Monster Fine for Unflagged Play Week 7 vs. Lions
There were some hard hits that took place during the Detroit Lions‘ Monday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Rachaad White’s wallet took one of the hardest.
The NFL fined the Bucs running back $46,371 for impermissible use of the helmet, stemming from a first-quarter run in Detroit’s 24–9 win at Ford Field. Video from the broadcast showed White lowering his head into Lions safety Erick Hallett on a short gain near midfield.
No flag was thrown in the game, but the league assessed discipline after its routine film review later in the week.
The fine amount was significant because it qualified as a second offense for White. Under Article 10 of the NFL rulebook, it’s a foul if any player—on offense or defense—“lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet” or otherwise uses it to make forcible contact.
More on Buccaneers RB Rachaad White’s Near-50 K Fine vs. the Detroit Lions
GettyTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White was fined nearly $50,000 for a hit against the Detroit Lions Week 7.
A first offense for impermissible use of the helmet costs $23,186; a second jumps to $46,371. White had been fined for a similar incident late in 2024, which triggered the higher penalty this time around. The league included his infraction in its weekly discipline summary, noting that all such fines are part of its ongoing effort to curb dangerous helmet use. No one on Detroit’s sideline addressed the specific play postgame.
The Lions’ defense dominated the game regardless, holding the Bucs to 251 total yards and just 38 rushing yards from White. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield finished 28-of-50 for 228 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Detroit, meanwhile, leaned on running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who finished with 218 total yards and two TDs. The win moved the Lions to 5–2 as they head into their bye week.
Lions Have Huge Divisional Matchup vs. Minnesota Vikings Next
When they return in Week 9, the Lions host the Minnesota Vikings in a divisional matchup that could shape the NFC playoff race. Detroit has slowly turned the tide in a rivalry long dominated by Minnesota, winning six of the last ten meetings after decades of one-sided results.
The Vikings still lead the all-time series 80–45–2, but the Lions’ recent run—including a pair of convincing wins in 2024—has flipped the script.
The Vikings, at 3–4, are fighting to stay relevant in the NFC Wild Card hunt, and games between these two have been ultra-competitive and pretty chippy in recent years. Another strong showing would give Detroit breathing room in the standings and reaffirm its place among the conference’s elite teams, alongside the Eagles and 49ers.
“Let the body heal a little bit and get right for the last push,” Dan Campbell said about where the team is heading into the bye.
“The big push will be here. We get the divisional opponents, 10 (games) until the playoffs and then it’s on. It feels good to get to 5-2. I’m pleased with the team. Are there things to clean up? Yeah, there is. The good news is that we are going to start to get a lot of players back. You are going to see players start to come back over the next month, so that is encouraging.”
Weird predictions for 2025 that will blow every Ravens fan's mind
While most NFL seasons see expected contenders climb the mountaintop and hoist the Lombardi Trophy by season’s end, there are plenty of weird occurrences that capture fans’ attention over the course of the year. The 2025 season should be no different, and for a team like the Baltimore Ravens, who carry several highlight-making players, there is potential for craziness on every snap.
From Lamar Jackson to Derrick Henry to Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens' roster boasts numerous players who can make their opponents look silly and post impressive stat lines. Without further ado, here are three silly predictions for Baltimore’s 2025 campaign.
3. Ravens return missed field goal for touchdown
Under Head Coach and special teams guru John Harbaugh, anything is possible. However, the Ravens have not returned a missed field goal for a touchdown since Chris McAlister took one back off the foot of Denver Broncos kicker Jason Elam. It generally does not happen in the NFL regular season either, as the most recent occurrence came from New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Samson Nacua in the 2024 preseason.
Still, anything is possible. We live in a world where NFL kickers are attempting more and more kicks from distance. Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little knocked one through the uprights from 70 yards out in the preseason, but let’s just say one of Baltimore’s gets overly ambitious. That would open the door for a field goal return touchdown.
The Ravens expect to have a stronger and flashier return unit in 2025. Rookie wideout LaJohntay Wester will take over punt return duties, and he proved he can handle it, returning one for a touchdown in his second career opportunity in a Week 1 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts. Running back Keaton Mitchell could also get involved as the kick returner. If one of them gets the ball in their hands off a missed field goal, good luck to the kicking unit trying to catch them.
Prediction: Week 8 vs. Chicago Bears, Keaton Mitchell returns a missed field goal for a 108-yard touchdown
2. Joe Noteboom hauls in first-career touchdown reception
Historically, Baltimore is known for pounding the rock. Since running back Derrick Henry came to Charm City last year, they have become unstoppable in that department and are the NFL’s best in the red zone. Henry is the obvious option in goal-line situations, but what if Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken tried to get creative against a stout rushing defense inside the five?
When teams are in goal-line situations, it is customary to bring in an extra offensive lineman to help in the blocking efforts and find paydirt. Sometimes they can report as eligible, opening the opportunity for the occasional trick play touchdown. It happened last year when the Kansas City Chiefs played the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, where Chiefs’ offensive tackle Wanya Morris hauled in a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes.
If the Ravens tried a similar play, it would likely be a backup lineman like Joe Noteboom getting the call. Noteboom is a versatile tackle that could catch opposing teams off guard in six-lineman sets.
Prediction: Week 3 vs. Detroit Lions, Joe Noteboom hauls in a 2-yard touchdown reception
1. Lamar Jackson becomes the latest player to throw for, run for, and catch a touchdown in a single game
Jackson possesses every trait you could ask for in a quarterback. He has developed top-tier accuracy to complement his exceptional athleticism and speed at the quarterback position. While Jackson has only been targeted as a receiver twice in his career, both coming during his rookie year when Joe Flacco was the team’s starting quarterback, it is not crazy to think he could accomplish the feat of scoring the trifecta (touchdown pass, touchdown run, touchdown catch).
Monken has gotten increasingly more creative since he started with the Ravens. He just led the first offense in NFL history to pass for over 4,000 yards and run for over 3,000. In 2025, who knows what he could pull out from his bag of tricks?
The obvious question is how the touchdown catch will come in, but they have the perfect trick play passing threat in Henry. Although the 31-year-old has yet to attempt a pass with the Ravens, he did so a handful of times against the Tennessee Titans. He is a career 8-for-10 on passing attempts, including a touchdown pass against Baltimore in the 2019 Divisional Round. He is more than capable, so it could come in handy somewhere down the line this season.
