In the game, a 31-24 win for the Raiders, Doyle caught a pass at midfield, and Burfict, with head lowered and both feet off the ground, plowed his helmet into Doyle’s. He was ejected from the game, then blew mock kisses to the fans as he left the field. Doyle has not missed any time as a result of the hit.

Burfict has a long record of hard hits that skirt the line of legality, and sometimes cross it. He has racked up impressive totals of fines and suspensions. The N.F.L. is allowed to consider past actions when determining suspensions, and certainly did so in this case.

Burfict’s previous transgressions include twisting the ankles of the Panthers’ Cam Newton and Greg Olsen, stepping on LeGarrette Blount’s head, making an obscene gesture to the Bills’ crowd and elbowing Antonio Brown in the head. These acts and others frequently resulted in fines or suspensions of short duration.

Burfict also started 2018 late, after a four-game suspension that was widely reported to be because of a drug violation.