The NFL has confirmed that the Patriots' Randy Moss was hit with a $20,000 fine this week for his comments after New England's loss to the Colts last Sunday.

Moss actually tried to temper his criticism of the officials, but he said enough to get hit with a pretty hefty fine.

"A lot of guys are really down because we let a game like this slip," Moss said last week. "But when things happen, you have to watch what you say. Guys don't want to get fined. But there was some real iffy calls out there.

"Some of the things you wish wouldn't happen. But good calls and bad calls are part of the game. You've got to live with that one, the good and the bad."

Patriots players complained after the game about a crucial unnecessary roughness call against tight end David Thomas in the fourth quarter, a contention that Benjamin Watson was getting mugged on one late play, and the fact that the Colts were called for just one penalty in the game.

smanza@projo.com