Denver, CO (My Sportsbook) - Denver Broncos safety John Lynch Tuesday was fined $75,000 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Colts fullback Dallas Clark during last Sunday's 33-14 win over Indianapolis.

Lynch, who is known to be a hard hitter, received the harsh fine because it was his fourth penalty for unnecessary roughness since 2001. The first three occurrences all cost him $7,500 apiece.

Clark made a catch in the first quarter and Lynch led with his helmet and clobbered Clark in the head just as he turned around. The ball came loose after the jarring hit and Denver cornerback Kelly Herndon scooped it up and took it back for a touchdown. However, a video replay showed that the ball was never caught by Clark and it was ruled an incomplete pass.

Lynch, a 12-year veteran, said after the game that he had no regrets about the hit and insisted it would send a message for the rematch between the teams this Sunday in the first round of the playoffs.

The hit knocked Clark out of the game with a concussion, and as he went to the sideline he looked dazed and had some blood inside his mouth.

This marked the second $75,000 fine the NFL has levied in two weeks. The league fined Jaguars safety Donovin Darius for a clothesline hit that temporarily paralyzed Packers receiver Robert Ferguson.

Lynch was also the first player to be fined this season -- a $7,500 penalty for a hard hit just below Chiefs receiver Dante Hall's chin in the season- opener.

Indianapolis (12-4) will host the Broncos (10-6) for the second straight year in the playoffs.