What happened: New England Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams instituted an internal $1,000 fine for any defensive teammate penalized for jumping offside or encroachment. The measure follows seven pre-snap infractions committed by New England across its last two contests. All collected fines will be directed to the team's training and treatment staff.
Why it matters: Williams, who entered the debate among the NFL's top defensive tackles earlier this season, is relying on peer accountability to halt recurring discipline lapses. New England currently holds the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff race and requires sharper execution to maintain its postseason positioning.
By the numbers: Williams has logged 21 tackles and 1 sack in 2026 through 9 games. New England stands at 5-4 in 2026 through 9 games after committing seven offside and encroachment penalties over the past two weeks.
What to watch: New England aims to eliminate pre-snap infractions and tighten defensive execution heading into its next regular-season contest.