CHARLOTTE, N.C. � The NFL has fined Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

Referee Ed Hochuli was loudly booed when he threw his flag for roughing-the-passer on the play Sunday, which wiped out Richard Marshall's interception return for a touchdown early in the first quarter in Carolina's 24-9 win. Replays showed Peppers led with his shoulder, but the NFL determined today that Peppers then hit Ryan in the head, drawing the fine and supporting Hochuli's on-field call.