Matt Milano committed a costly penalty in the Buffalo Bills' season-opening loss to the New York Jets, and now the Pro Bowl linebacker will have to pay even more.
On September 16, the NFL released a list of all Week 1 fines, including a $10,927 charge for Milano for taunting after his second-quarter interception.
The penalty may have cost the Bills scores on the drive, which proved crucial in their 22-16 overtime loss to the Jets.
After the game, Bills head coach Sean McDermott criticized the team's blunders, notably four turnovers by quarterback Josh Allen.
Milano was called for taunting after intercepting Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in the second quarter, with the Bills leading 10-3.
The turnover could have given the Bills an early two-touchdown lead over the Jets, but Milano's penalty moved the team back 15 yards, forcing the Bills to settle for a field goal.
McDermott stated after the game that the Bills' inability to win was due to their blunders.
"We made it pretty hard on ourselves," McDermott said after the game, according to The Associated Press.
"Winning in this league is difficult when you turn the ball over four times." You're up against two opponents: the one on the other sideline and yourself.
That's what we did tonight, and it's not the ideal recipe for winning games." Though the Bills led by ten points at halftime, the Jets rallied to tie the game and win late in the fourth quarter after Allen fumbled.