[DenverChief]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Oh right, duh.... that one is tough because there was helmet-to-helmet contact, but I don't think the defender did anything in terms of targeting. The defender took a step or two forward and then braced for impact.

I think it was dumb that dude launched himself a couple plays later and well, that's fine.

I think the 2nd one had clear intent to destroy the receiver while the first one was just a hard collision that happens sometimes.

Seems people forget this - he was defenseless

it is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture.

Players in a defenseless posture are:

A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass (passing posture)

A receiver attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player

The intended receiver of a pass in the action during and immediately following an interception or potential interception. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player.

Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is:

forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenselessplayer by encircling or grasping him

https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules...seless-player/