The NFL surprisingly fined the Chiefs running back for a play in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to rack up victories as they picked up their third-straight win last week over the Los Angeles Chargers. It wasn’t easy for the Chiefs as the Chargers gave them everything they could handle, but thanks to kicker Matthew Wright, Kansas City is AFC West champs again.

The Chiefs’ job isn’t done, as they haven’t clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Kansas City will try to move closer to that feat on Sunday when they play the Cleveland Browns.

However, before we can look ahead to this Week 15 game, one of Kansas City’s starters received a not-so-good message from the NFL league office this weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the NFL fined Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco a hefty $45,020 for unnecessary roughness (use of helmet) in Week 14 against the Chargers.

In the second quarter of last week’s game, Pacheco caught a pass from superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the flat, and as he was turning up the field, the third-year running back lowered his helmet on a Chargers defender.

The refs did not penalize Pacheco for this play. However, the league office did not let the young running back get off scot-free.

Pacheco saw an uptick in carries and snaps last week after recently returning from a fractured fibula that he suffered in Week 2. The 25-year-old running back 55 yards on 14 carries and added two receptions (four targets) for six yards.

The former Rutgers standout also played 32 offensive snaps, a slight increase from his first game back in Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders (26 snaps).

Kansas City will hope Pacheco has a huge game on Sunday against the Browns, who are giving up 127.9 rushing yards per game (11th-most in the NFL) this season. However, Cleveland’s run defense has been stout at home, only allowing 3.8 yards per carry.

Pacheco will have his work cut out for him in this late-season road contest. But Kansas City hopes the young running back will run hard and not pick up another fine.