NFL bans two officials following clashes with players

The NFL has disciplined two on-field officials following separate incidents with players during Sunday's round of games. Line judge Jeff Seeman will sit out two games, while referee Adrian Hill has been handed a one-game ban.

Seeman's case was captured on television cameras, appearing to show him swearing at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during the Cardinals' 36-24 road defeat to the New York Giants. McBride believed he had been impeded by Giants cornerback Dru Phillips on a pass from quarterback Jacoby Brissett that ultimately went incomplete. After taking the hit, McBride voiced his frustration to Seeman, who seemed to respond with a profanity of his own.

Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur addressed the episode on Monday, striking a measured tone. He said he knows Seeman personally and considers him a good man, adding that while the incident was unfortunate and should not happen, he wanted to extend the official some understanding.

The second case involved Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson, whose team held off the visiting Miami Dolphins 15-10. Midway through the opening quarter, with play already whistled dead due to a Minnesota penalty, Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II shoved Wilson into referee Hill. As Wilson attempted to help the official back up, Hill sprang to his feet, pointing and shouting at the linebacker to back away. Speaking afterwards, Wilson said he found the moment amusing, apologised to Hill and explained what had happened — the official accepted the explanation, saying he had simply wanted to prevent a fight from breaking out.

Monday night result

In the Monday night game, the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 45-24 on the road. Bijan Robinson opened the scoring early with a touchdown capping a 53-yard run, while fellow running back Brian Robinson Jr. found the end zone three times. The win moves the Falcons to second in the NFC South after bouncing back from two season-opening losses with back-to-back victories, while the Saints sit third at 1-3.