Bill Belichick Likely to Be Fined, But John Harbaugh Not Punished After Penalty-Filled Sunday Night Game

"Apoplectic" is a word often used in hyperbole. But really, what other adjective could describe what was going on with Bill Belichick and John Harbaugh on Sunday night during the attack of the yellow flags?

Harbaugh and Belichick were beside themselves throughout much of Sunday night's tightly contested Patriots-Ravens game, which Baltimore won on a last-second field goal. Both could be seen screaming at the replacement referees many times throughout the penalty-filled game.

While both coaches can be known to dish out their share of expletives (Belichick) or tantrums (Harbaugh), they took it to a new level Sunday night — and looked like they would have to pay for it with some NFL-incurred fines.

But Harbaugh will not be fined for yelling at an official and bumping him late in the game, the Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday. Belichick's fate is expected to be announced Wednesday afternoon.

Harbaugh's defining moment was when he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct as he kept yelling at an official late in the fourth quarter. After the flag was tossed his way, Harbaugh protested, saying he was just trying to call timeout. Harbaugh said later that he inadvertently bumped an official, but it was accidental as he tried to get the ref's attention.

Belichick added to the nuttiness of the night when he was seen grabbing a referee's arm as the official ran off the field after the game. While touching refs is a big no-no, Belichick said later that the final field goal was disputed on the field, and he was simply trying to figure out whether the officiating crew was going to review the play.

While most people agree that Belichick will probably be fined by the league for grabbing the official, a suspension is unlikely considering his intent and the uneven nature of the game, in which 24 penalties were assessed.