Why Were Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving Fined for 'Violent Gestures' by NFL After TD?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Bucky Irving were fined a total of $20,840 for their touchdown celebration in last Sunday's Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL announced Saturday.

Mayfield was fined $14,491, while Irving received a $6,349 penalty for what the NFL described as a "violent gesture."

The Buccaneers, on the other hand, described the celebration as "the best handshake in football."

The Bucs ultimately claimed a 20-17 win over the Cards, improving to 7-5 on the season and maintaining their lead on the NFC South.

The league fined a total of five players for "violent gestures" in Week 13, including the Houston Texans' Nico Collins, Las Vegas Raiders' Kyu Blu Kelly and Pittsburgh Steelers' DK Metcalf.

The Bucs seem likely to care about the final score more than their players' fines.

The victory ended a three-game losing streak that had threatened to drop the Bucs out of the playoff picture altogether.

Although the Bucs are heading into Week 14 leading the Carolina Panthers by just half a game, Tampa Bay has plenty of reason to hope last weekend's win over the Cardinals marked a turning point in the season.

For one, a few more wins coupled with losing streaks from the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles could allow the Bucs a shot at making some noise at the top of the NFC standings.

For another, the Bucs have the second-easiest schedule in the NFL from Weeks 13 through 18, per ESPN's Bill Barnwell.

The Bucs will return to the field Sunday with a home game against the New Orleans Saints, who are 2-10 and vying with the Raiders, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans for the league's worst record.

Mayfield and the Bucs will hope to extend the winning streak when the Week 14 matchup with the Saints kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.