NFL hits a Texans defensive player with news he doesn't want to hear ahead of the new year

   

The NFL is punishing Houston Texans edge rusher Derek Barnett for an illegal hit committed during the team's Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

This, combined with the Texans' embarrassing performance on Christmas Day vs. the Baltimore Ravens, makes for a pretty rough start to the holidays. 

NFL fines Derek Barnett for an illegal hit committed on Patrick Mahomes. 

Barnett is being fined by the NFL for a blow to the head/neck area of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The play occurred in the second quarter with 8:04 left on the clock, and a flag was thrown for "Roughing the Passer," but it seems the league didn't feel that the flag was punishment enough. As they are now fining Barnett $11,176.00.

The NFL handed out 23 fines from Week 16, two of which were for Roughing the Passer. Barnett's fine being the least expensive of the two, with Kyzir White of the Arizona Cardinals being fined $16,883.00. 

The Texans have now lost two straight as they head into their season finale against the Tennessee Titans. Even with their struggles, they have a playoff spot as the AFC South champions. So, even if they are not playing their best football right now, they can hang their hat on still being the best in the division and now being back-to-back AFC South champs.