The Denver Broncos found themselves in a unique situation after a postgame incident involving defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach. The NFL took action following a play where Franklin-Myers, who was acquired by the Broncos during the 2024 draft, stepped in to defend his teammate. This incident has sparked some attention, especially given the recent events surrounding Franklin-Myers.

NFL Disciplines Chiefs Player Over Broncos’ Malcolm Roach

On January 3, the NFL announced via its Gameday Accountability portal that Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Kingsley Suamataia received a fine of $8,108 for “unnecessary roughness,” specifically for “Striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing” on a play with Roach during the Broncos’ win.

During the second quarter, Suamataia pushed Roach while he was in the air, making him a defenseless player. This resulted in an unnecessary roughness call on the Chiefs’ offensive lineman. Franklin-Myers witnessed the interaction and pushed Suamataia, drawing a flag on himself and the Broncos. However, due to the offsetting of penalties, the impact of both infractions was negated.

Franklin-Myers avoided any punishment for his actions in the series of events. This marks the second time in the past five weeks that the Broncos have avoided receiving any fines after a game, according to Spotrac.

In Week 16, the Broncos faced a costly week, receiving three fines. The NFL docked Roach, Alex Singleton, and PJ Locke for infractions committed during the Broncos’ loss at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In total, the NFL has fined Broncos players $99,093 this season.

Interestingly, the NFL often fines players over infractions that did not draw flags but did not impose any penalties on the Broncos, which is seen as encouraging.

Broncos Among Biggest Beneficiaries of Officiating

While Franklin-Myers, Roach, and the Broncos avoided fines over their play against the Chiefs, Denver has been penalized more times (123) than all but three other teams entering Week 18, according to NFL Penalties. The Broncos’ penalties have cost them more yards than any other team.

Notably, the Broncos also rank seventh in terms of benefiting from calls made during games this season. They are 18th in yards gained from those calls, though.

For the Broncos, it’s encouraging to note that only one team that has benefited more from calls than they have is in the AFC. That team, the Cleveland Browns, is not in the playoffs. At the same time, three of the teams that have benefited more from penalty yards will be in the playoffs.

The Broncos are looking at a bye in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs, which clouds who their matchup could be. The Broncos could potentially face two of those teams—the Houston Texans or the Los Angeles Chargers—in the Divisional Round.

Franklin-Myers, Roach, and the Broncos are facing a resting Chargers team in the regular-season finale. However, they lost their matchup in Week 3 this season and struggled with them last season. The Broncos defeated the Texans in Week 9.

Beating a team twice is difficult, which could work for or against the Broncos this postseason.