Branch brawl ends Sunday night misery.
The Lions were sucker-punched at Arrowhead Stadium last Sunday, losing 30-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dan Campbell’s team had the opportunity to extend its four-game win streak, but came up short on the night.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns for the hosts, yet it was a Lion who stole the headlines.
Detroit’s resident bully, Brian Branch, got into a post-game scuffle with Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Branch’s actions have resulted in a one-game suspension, which he will serve against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
A chink in the Lions’ armour?
Mahomes made the Lions pay for the absence of their starting cornerbacks, Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed.
Travis Kelce and Hollywood Brown especially shone against Detroit back-ups who lacked that moxie to stump the Chiefs.
Both Arnold and Reed were hurt in their Week 5 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and are expected to be sidelined until at least Week 10.
Add in the preexisting injury to Ennis Rakestraw and the suspension to Branch, and the Lions’ secondary is looking rather thin right now.
It is a real area of concern heading into tomorrow’s match against a flying Tampa Bay offense.
Is LaPorta back to his best?
Although a cloud may be looming over the defense, tight end Sam Laporta is on course for a fantastic season offensively.
Since being drafted in 2023 he has proved to be one of quarterback Jared Goff’s most reliable weapons.
Despite a short step back from his unbelievable rookie campaign last season, it feels as though LaPorta has elevated his game.
Through six weeks Laporta has 324 yards and two touchdowns and is on pace to a career high 918 yards and six touchdowns.
If he can keep his performance up we will be looking forward to his second Pro Bowl appearance at the start of 2026.
Inter-conference Love, featuring Detroit
Detroit need to dust themselves down after last weekend’s defeat as they head into a tough four-game slate.
After the Buccaneers they face the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles.
All pose different challenges and all equally as crucial in deciding the playoff seeding come January.
Detroit’s bye is next week so Campbell’s men can recharge and attack the second half off the season fully refreshed.
