It’s the matchup that refuses to fade away. The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions clashed in a heated contest on Sunday, October 12, turning what should’ve been a standard game into something much bigger. It ended up being a statement victory for the Chiefs, who walked out of Arrowhead Stadium with a 30-17 win.
Throughout and after the game, plenty of drama unfolded. The viral moment, of course, came when Brian Branch appeared to brush past Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and then made contact with Juju Smith-Schuster after the game.
For those actions, the NFL handed Branch a one-game suspension, and he wasn’t the only Lions player disciplined for conduct against the Chiefs. On Saturday, October 18, reports confirmed that two more Detroit players were fined — but not a single Chiefs player. That didn’t sit well with the Lions organization.
Each week, the league announces fines based on the prior week’s games. According to the NFL’s website, these penalties exist “to protect players from unnecessary risk and uphold the integrity and fairness of the game.” Every Saturday afternoon, the new list of disciplinary actions is published for public record.
In the Week 6 report, two Lions appeared on that list: Alex Anzalone and Tyler Lacy. The NFL fined Anzalone $12,172 for “unnecessary roughness” and “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.” Lacy was also fined $5,722 for similar behavior during the game.
However, when the official report dropped, no Kansas City Chiefs players received any punishment. Lions fans and analysts quickly pointed out that Juju Smith-Schuster escaped discipline for his hit on Branch.
“Brian Branch said he was blocked in the back illegally by Kansas City Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster,” wrote Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press in a feature on Saturday, October 18. “The NFL apparently disagreed.”
“JuJu doesn’t get a fine for his hit on Branch, unreal,” one fan wrote on Heavy on Lions’ Facebook page. “And nothing to any KC players,” added another frustrated commenter.
Detroit Lions May Challenge NFL’s Chiefs Ruling
The Lions technically have the option to appeal the decision, though that route already failed for Branch, whose suspension was upheld.
“If the punishment stands, the fine amount will be deducted from the player’s next paycheck,” the NFL explains. “If it’s overturned, the player will be notified and the withheld money returned.”
Per the league, all collected fines go toward the Professional Athletes Foundation, aiding “former players in need,” and the NFL Foundation, which “promotes health, safety, and wellness for athletes at all levels, including youth programs and local communities.”
Now, the Chiefs will head into their matchup with the Raiders clear of any discipline and ready to chase another victory. The game kicks off at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, October 18.
