Report: NFL won't discipline Lions' Raiola; Patriots' Belichick responds
The NFL won't fine or suspend Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola for his late-game cut block against the New England Patriots on Sunday, reports NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
Earlier Monday, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters that the team wouldn't discipline Raiola. Caldwell also said that he had spoken with Raiola about the incident and that the league was looking into it and could discipline him.
On the last play of the Lions' 34-9 loss to the Patriots, Raiola went for a cut block of defensive lineman Zach Moore despite Detroit taking a knee to run out the clock.
Raiola was upset that New England went for a touchdown when it was leading 27-9 with 1:53 left in the game. The Patriots had attempted a field goal on the previous play but received a first down due to a personal foul penalty on the Lions.
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Raiola admitted to the cut block after the game and didn't apologize, saying New England should have taken a knee and run out the clock. Patriots coach Bill Belichick responded to Raiola's actions on Monday in somewhat humorous fashion.
In Lions-Patriots games in which Raiola has participated, Detroit is 0-4, losing in 2002, 2006, 2010 and Sunday.
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The Lions dropped to 7-4 with the loss and fell behind the Green Bay Packers to second place in the NFC North. The Patriots improved to 9-2, maintaining the best record in the AFC.
- Ben Estes
