The Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs got off to a contentious start to Sunday's AFC Championship Game.
Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet appeared to argue with several Chiefs players during pregame warmups, including Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson.
As officials attempted to separate the players, the CBS broadcast appeared to show Maulet using an open hand to hit Watson's helmet.
The two were then separated.
NFL on CBS 🏈 @NFLonCBSChiefs and Ravens exchanging some words on the field before kickoff. 👀 <a href="">
The altercation marked the second scuffle between the two teams as they warmed up to fight for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Earlier in warmups, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had showed frustration with Ravens kicker Justin Tucker for stretching too near to Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
James Palmer @JamesPalmerTVTravis Kelce told Justin Tucker he needed to move because their QB Patrick Mahomes had to warm up. So Kelce kicked his ball away and threw his helmet. 😂 <a href="">
Last Saturday Maulet played 39 percent of the Ravens' defensive snaps during a 34-10 divisional round win over the Houston Texans. He contributed three tackles, a quarterback hit and two hurries to the victory.
The defensive back has previously described his role on the Ravens as "a physical guy who likes to stick my nose in some dirty places," The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reported in December.
"That's playing the nickel and things like that," Maulet explained, adding that coming to Baltimore on a one-year deal following his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers was the "perfect fit."
Maulet's work on the nickel blitz ended up being key to last weekend's win over the Texans. He rushed quarterback C.J. Stroud three times, resulting in three unblocked pressures, per ESPN's Bill Barnwell.
Following a series of pre- and mid-game scuffles earlier this season, including a clash between the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers prior to Week 6, the NFL said in a memo sent to teams earlier this season that the league would "strongly enforce" rules banning pregame fighting.
The league warned that possible consequences for players or team personnel fighting before a game included disqualification, fines and suspension, according to NFL.com.
The NFL noted that even if no discipline is handed out at the time, the league can review video to determine if a player will receive discipline.
Maulet remained in Sunday's game, where he ended up earning the first flag of the game with a first-quarter five-yard defensive holding penalty. Mahomes threw a touchdown pass on the following play.
