Sunday Night Football didn’t unfold the way the Detroit Lions or their fans had hoped. After a promising start, both the offense and defense lost steam, leading to a 30-17 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs. The defense struggled mightily, unable to slow down quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ explosive attack. To make matters worse, tensions flared after the final whistle, adding frustration to an already disappointing night.

Once the Chiefs sealed the win with kneel downs, Mahomes approached Lions safety Brian Branch for a handshake. Branch ignored him and walked away, even after Mahomes tapped him on the shoulder. That’s when Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster confronted Branch, who responded by slapping him across the face. The two players scuffled, falling to the ground as teammates rushed in to separate them.

Given Branch’s behavior, disciplinary action from the league appears likely.

Brian Branch sparks post-game altercation following Lions’ loss to Chiefs

Needless to say, many Lions fans were not pleased with Branch’s decision. If he is suspended, Detroit’s already depleted secondary could be in even deeper trouble. The team is already missing Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed due to injuries, while Kerby Joseph suffered a left leg injury during the Chiefs game. That’s three key defenders hurt, and now the Lions could lose another to a potential suspension stemming from the incident.

Head coach Dan Campbell addressed the situation after the game, saying that while he “loves” Branch, he found the actions “inexcusable.”

Branch has a history of league discipline. Since joining the NFL in 2023, he’s been fined 14 times, according to Spotrac. This season alone, he’s received three fines exceeding $11,000 each. Given that he initiated a fight, a steeper penalty should be expected.

Lions fans will have to wait to learn what kind of punishment Branch will face. The league’s decision should arrive in the coming days.