Chargers C Bradley Bozeman protects Justin Herbert from dirty play against the Saints and draws the penalty flag

Saints defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd took a cheap shot at Justin Herbert, and Chargers center Bradley Bozeman had no chance.

As Los Angeles took the lead midway through the second quarter in Sunday's game against New Orleans, Herbert threw a pass to running back JK Dobbins. As Herbert released the ball, Shepherd jumped low toward Herbert and wrapped his right ankle. He held onto Herbert's lower leg long after Herbert had released the ball, then twisted his knee and pulled him to the ground.

As Herbert lay on the ground, Shepherd turned around and twisted Herbert's knee further. It was a dirty play that could have easily ended Herbert's season. Luckily, Herbert seemed to avoid injury and stayed in the game.

Bozeman was heated and immediately came to his quarterback's defense. He jumped on Shepherd to push him off Herbert. He then appeared ready to inflict punishment himself before Herbert helped an officer pull him away from Shepherd.

After everything was done, the officials threw a pair of penalty flags. Shepherd was charged with undue hardship for the cheap shot at Herbert. Bozeman was charged with unnecessary roughness in protecting his quarterback – a compensatory punishment that doesn't seem entirely fair.

Shepherd recklessly and unnecessarily endangered Herbert's health. Bozeman did what it took to protect its quarterback from Shepherd.

According to the officials' enforcement of the rules, all of these violations are equal in the eyes of the NFL.