Justin Strnad fined for what happened after the win

The Denver Broncos’ miraculous comeback victory against the New York Giants came with a hefty price tag beyond the emotional investment required to erase a 32-point deficit. The NFL announced Saturday that linebacker Justin Strnad received a $15,486 fine for making contact with referee Brad Allen following the game’s conclusion, adding another financial burden to what was already shaping up as an expensive triumph for the franchise.

The incident occurred in the chaotic moments after kicker Wil Lutz connected on a 39-yard field goal as time expired, capping an unprecedented 33-point fourth-quarter surge that sealed a 33-32 victory. The euphoria of achieving one of the greatest comebacks in franchise history quickly transformed into disciplinary scrutiny as league officials reviewed postgame conduct.

Strnad’s Role in Growing Controversy

The fine against Strnad represents the second significant penalty stemming from interactions with Allen after the game concluded. Earlier in the week, linebacker Dre Greenlaw received a one-game suspension for pursuing Allen as the official attempted to exit the field, with the league citing verbal threats as justification for the harsher punishment.

When questioned Friday about whether Strnad’s contact with Allen would result in disciplinary action, head coach Sean Payton remained characteristically pragmatic. The veteran coach, who had previously expressed surprise that Greenlaw’s actions warranted suspension rather than just a fine, declined to speculate on his player’s fate, acknowledging that his opinion carries little weight in league proceedings.

Financial and Roster Implications

Greenlaw’s suspension carries substantial financial consequences beyond his absence from Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The linebacker forfeits his game check of $192,778, plus a $90,000 roster bonus he receives for each game-day appearance. With Greenlaw sidelined, Strnad assumes starting responsibilities at inside linebacker, a position he has filled capably during Greenlaw’s five-game absence earlier this season due to thigh injuries.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph expressed confidence in Strnad‘s ability to handle the elevated workload against Dallas, noting that the defensive scheme remains unchanged regardless of which linebacker occupies the position. This continuity becomes particularly crucial considering the Cowboys rank second in scoring offense and first in total offense across the league.

Pattern of Discipline

The postgame incident represents just one element of a penalty-plagued afternoon for Denver. The Broncos accumulated 12 accepted penalties for 127 yards during the game, including an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Payton himself. The coach drew the flag after rushing onto the field to contest a pass interference penalty called on cornerback Riley Moss in the game’s closing minutes.

Sunday marked Greenlaw’s season debut with Denver after an extended recovery period. He participated in 21 snaps and recorded six tackles along with a quarterback hit before his brief return was overshadowed by the postgame controversy.

Looking Forward

As the Broncos prepare for Dallas, the organization faces questions about maintaining discipline while preserving the competitive intensity that fueled their historic comeback. The dual penalties against Strnad and Greenlaw serve as reminders that celebrating success requires restraint, particularly when interactions with officials cross established boundaries.

The franchise must now balance accountability with momentum preservation, ensuring that costly mistakes don’t overshadow their remarkable achievement or derail their playoff aspirations moving forward.