NFL Fines Giants TE Theo Johnson After Sideline Scuffle in Patriots Week 13 Win
The New England Patriots’ Monday night blowout win over the New York Giants in Week 13 became secondary to a single sideline collision that sparked a scuffle, led to multiple fines, and drew league attention days later. The incident centered on Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss and Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and the NFL’s response clarified how the hit itself and the reactions around it were evaluated.
The sequence began with Jaxson Dart leaving the pocket and moving toward the sideline in an effort to reach the first-down yardage. As he traveled along the boundary, Elliss closed the distance and delivered a hard hit while Dart was still in bounds, sending the quarterback head-first toward the Giants’ sideline. Several New York players immediately swarmed Elliss, and the confrontation escalated into a multi-player scuffle near the bench area. Officials threw flags after the play, but Elliss was not flagged for the hit.
The collision spread quickly across social media, in part because Dart was playing in his first game back after missing two weeks with a concussion. Despite the violent appearance of the contact, the NFL later ruled that Elliss’ hit was legal, determining that Dart remained a runner and had not stepped out of bounds at the time of impact.
The matchup itself had already been framed by betting markets as heavily tilted toward New England. Across major sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and PointsBet, the Patriots entered the game as home favorites ranging from -7 to -7.5. The over/under opened around 47.5 points and later moved to 46.5 by kickoff. New England’s 33–15 win allowed the Patriots to cover the spread, consistent with how the game had been priced throughout the week.
Before the season, New England’s Super Bowl odds were listed as long as +8500. By early December, those odds had shortened sharply, with the Patriots listed around +950 to win Super Bowl LX, +350 to win the AFC, and -550 to win the AFC East. The Giants moved sharply in the opposite direction, with their Super Bowl odds reaching as high as +100,000 before being removed entirely at certain sportsbooks following their elimination from playoff contention.
Dart remained a focal point in weekly betting markets. Despite missing time earlier in the season due to a concussion, sportsbooks continued to post active player props for the rookie quarterback. Against New England, Dart’s passing attempts were listed at 30.5, with passing yards set around 205.5 and alternate yardage milestones offered at plus money. In long-term markets, Dart’s MVP odds sat at +50,000.
The NFL announced disciplinary decisions on December 6, 2025. NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero reported that Giants tight end Theo Johnson was fined $6,488 for unnecessary roughness after going after Elliss in response to the hit on Dart. Johnson had already been penalized 15 yards during the game, and the fine followed that ruling. Elliss was neither fined nor flagged, with the league confirming the hit was deemed legal.
The NFL fined Giants TE Theo Johnson $6,488 for unnecessary roughness — going after Patriots LB Christian Elliss, who hit Jaxson Dart at the sideline.
Elliss wasn’t flagged or fined for the hit, which was deemed legal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 6, 2025
Elliss addressed the play after the game, explaining what he saw as Dart approached the sideline. “I saw the scramble. I started chasing him down. He started tiptoeing on the sideline. I thought he was just going to go out of bounds, but then I saw him tiptoeing,” Elliss said. “When I saw he was going to stay in bounds, what am I supposed to do? We play hard on defense. We try to bring life to this team. That is all I was trying to do, was just do my job and hit anything in the white jerseys.”
Dart also commented following the game. “This is football. I’m going to get hit if I’m in the pocket or outside the pocket,” he said. “I feel like I’ve played this way my whole life. It shouldn’t be any shocker to anybody if you’ve followed along with my career. We’re not playing soccer out here. You’re going to get hit. Things happen. It’s just part of the game.”
Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka echoed that assessment in his postgame press conference, describing Dart as “an aggressive football player,” saying he bounced up after the hit, and calling him “a tough kid.”
The league’s review of the game extended beyond the initial sideline confrontation. Giants slot cornerback Dru Phillips received a $7,292 fine for unnecessary roughness stemming from a third-quarter play that went unflagged during the game. On that sequence, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye attempted a pass to running back TreVeyon Henderson, and Phillips made contact as the ball arrived. After reviewing the play, the NFL determined Henderson qualified as a defenseless player.
New England also had a player disciplined as a result of the same matchup. Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins was fined $9,944 for unnecessary roughness following a hit on Giants tight end Theo Johnson. Unlike Phillips’ play, Hawkins’ hit drew a flag during live action.
Christian Elliss, who was at the center of multiple hard contacts, did not receive further discipline. Later in the game, Elliss delivered a hit on Giants punt returner Gunner Olszewski that sent pieces of Olszewski’s helmet into the air in Foxborough — a play that did not result in a flag, and the league did not issue a fine.
Beyond the fines, New England continued a trend that has gained attention as the season progressed. The Patriots have moved into the top 10 least penalized teams in the league and have averaged just 3 penalties per game since their Week 10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
