Azeez Al-Shaair

NFL Winners and Losers: Azeez Al-Shaair Faces Long Suspension If Player Safety Matters

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Azeez Al-Shaair’s Dirty Hit on Trevor Lawrence: NFL Needs to Make a Strong Statement on Player

Azeez Al-Shaair made a clear choice on Sunday: he aimed to take out Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence with a brutal hit to the head while Lawrence was sliding. Now, it’s time for the NFL to decide if it’s serious about player safety and holding players accountable for dangerous, dirty hits. A suspension for the rest of the season would send the right message.

What Al-Shaair did to Lawrence was one of the dirtiest hits you’ll see. He dove directly at Lawrence’s head while the quarterback was in a vulnerable position, leaving Lawrence on the field in a “fencing” position — a clear sign of a concussion. The hit was both reckless and unnecessary, especially since Lawrence had already started his slide when Al-Shaair made contact.

The aftermath was a fight between the Jaguars and Texans, and Al-Shaair was ejected from the game. Lawrence, unable to continue, was carted off with a concussion, and the Jaguars ultimately lost 23-20. Read Also: Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair Ejected After Hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

This wasn’t Al-Shaair’s first questionable behavior. Earlier this season, he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline, and the NFL fined him a meager $11,817 for the altercation. Considering the severity of his actions on Sunday, the NFL cannot let him off easy this time.

A comparison can be made to Myles Garrett’s infamous 2019 suspension for swinging a helmet at Mason Rudolph. That was a dangerous play, similar in intensity to Al-Shaair’s headhunting hit on Lawrence. Garrett received an indefinite suspension, ultimately missing six games, and a similar punishment could be appropriate for Al-Shaair.

In fact, the NFL has suspended players for reckless hits before. For instance, Steelers safety Damontae Kazee was suspended last season for a dangerous hit, and Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James was recently suspended for multiple safety violations.

The hit on Lawrence was especially alarming considering the league’s efforts to protect quarterbacks and players from head injuries. If the NFL is serious about its commitment to player safety, this situation should result in significant consequences for Al-Shaair.

WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM WEEK 13

Winners

  • Minnesota Vikings (10-2): The Vikings continue to quietly dominate, pulling off a dramatic comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals. Despite trailing by 13 points, the Vikings rallied for a 23-22 victory, keeping them in the hunt for the NFC North title.
  • Jayden Daniels (Commanders): Daniels bounced back from a rough stretch to lead Washington to a dominant 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans. He threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns, solidifying his position as the front-runner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
  • Anthony Richardson (Colts): Richardson led Indianapolis to a thrilling 25-24 victory over the New England Patriots. His game-winning drive included a key touchdown pass and a 2-point conversion, showing his resilience and growth as a quarterback.
  • Seattle Seahawks (7-5): The Seahawks overcame a sluggish start to defeat the New York Jets 26-21, maintaining their lead in the NFC West. A memorable 92-yard pick-six by Leonard Williams and a late touchdown from Zach Charbonnet powered Seattle to a crucial win.

Losers

  • Kirk Cousins (Falcons): Cousins had a disastrous game, throwing four interceptions in a 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His poor decision-making led to multiple turnovers and ended any hopes of a late-game comeback.
  • Cincinnati Bengals (4-8): Despite a questionable non-call that led to a pick-six, the Bengals’ defense couldn’t hold up, allowing Russell Wilson to throw for 414 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-38 loss to the Denver Broncos. Cincinnati’s playoff hopes are effectively dashed, and questions about the defensive coaching staff are now on the rise.

 

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