The Detroit Lions have hit a rough patch in November, losing two of their last three games, including a division matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Their Week 11 trip to Philadelphia didn’t go any better, ending in a 16–9 defeat with the team’s only touchdown coming from wide receiver Jameson Williams.
However, the celebration following that score proved costly. The Lions were flagged after Williams’ touchdown dance, and now the fourth-year receiver has received additional punishment from the NFL.
Jameson Williams Fined Following Controversial Celebration
In the second quarter, Williams hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 6–6. But the momentum quickly shifted when the receiver leapt and grabbed onto the base of the field goal post in celebration, a move that resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty enforced on the extra-point attempt.
Under normal conditions, the penalty may not have mattered. But with Philadelphia’s swirling 15–25 MPH winds, the Lions paid the price. Kicker Jake Bates pushed the extra point wide right, keeping the game tied instead of giving Detroit a 7–6 lead. While the miss didn’t ultimately decide the outcome, the NFL has now issued Williams a $14,491 fine for the celebration.
The league has shown an increasing willingness to crack down on touchdown celebrations this season; even minor gestures like “nose wipes” have drawn flags. In Williams’ case, however, the stunt drew widespread criticism from fans, especially since Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens was fined earlier this season for a similar act.
Williams still delivered a strong performance, finishing with four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. He’s been electric all year, ranking second on the Lions with 562 receiving yards and five touchdowns on just 31 receptions. According to PFSN’s WR Impact metric, he currently sits as the 17th-best wide receiver in the NFL with an 80.6 score and a B- grade.
Having only scored nine points in their loss to the Eagles on Sunday night, the Lions’ offense looked uncharacteristically dull in Week 11. Their loss dropped their record down to 6-4, and they now trail both the Bears and Packers within the competitive NFC North.
Though they’re in third place within their division, the Lions are viewed favorably by PFSN’s analytics model, particularly for their high quality of losses and dominant play in their victories. It’s clear Detroit is one of the most talented teams in the NFL, but they’ll have to start winning more games against teams above .500 to make noise in the playoffs.
Williams and the Lions return home for a Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants at Ford Field, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.
