Marcus Peters is fined $13,378 for horse-collar tackle that might have changed outcome of game

Raiders defensive back Marcus Peters made a hefty investment of $13,378 with his recent fine. The penalty was issued for executing a horse-collar tackle on Packers receiver Christian Watson, just as Watson was about to score a long touchdown that would have given his team a 17-10 lead.

Peters’ foul moved the ball from the six-yard line to the three-yard line, granting Green Bay a closer opportunity to score. Despite this, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels commended Peters for his “really smart play” after the game.

Ironically, the Packers failed to score a touchdown and settled for a field goal. The final score stood at 17-13 in favor of the Raiders.

Now, there’s a crucial question surrounding the issue of whether it would be wise for the league to ensure that, in similar situations, a touchdown is granted. The horse-collar tackle poses significant safety risks, which is why it was banned almost two decades ago.

Does the NFL want defensive players to resort to pulling an offensive player down by his collar in desperate circumstances, even if it results in severe injuries such as a broken leg?

It remains uncertain whether the league will prioritize this topic during offseason discussions regarding potential rule changes. If the NFL genuinely cares about player safety, it should address this matter. Failure to do so would indicate that the league’s concern for player safety is only superficial.

In essence, the league’s true dedication to safety lies in how it handles this issue, as it would be detrimental to its reputation if it only pays lip service to the matter.