By Sunday 
A Safety Who Thinks He’s Just… Okay?
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been one of the NFL’s quietly brilliant defensive backs since stepping into the league, but if you ask him how he feels about his 2025 season, the man is brutally honest.
“I’d give myself a C-plus right now,” he told WXYT-FM, sounding like a student who forgot there was a final exam involved. Branch says he’s still trying to “figure out how to get the ball,” and that lack of interceptions is clearly gnawing at him.
Funny thing is? His head coach sees something completely different.
Dan Campbell: The Human Confidence Boost
When Dan Campbell got the same question, he didn’t hesitate — didn’t blink, didn’t sigh, didn’t even roll his eyes. Instead, he delivered the kind of coach-speak every player secretly hopes for:
“He’s productive as hell,” Campbell said.
And then he doubled down:
“He puts a lot of fires out.”
That’s basically Campbell-speak for this guy is everywhere, doing everything, and saving our butts six different ways before halftime.
Why the Box Score Isn’t Telling Branch’s Story
Branch is frustrated with his lack of interceptions this year, and hey, fair enough — last season he hauled in four, and before that, three as a rookie. Now? Zero.
But here’s the twist: quarterbacks barely throw at him anymore.
Last season he was targeted over five times a game. This season? Just 3.22 targets per game. That’s the NFL version of opponents saying, nah, we’re good — let’s try someone else.
You don’t get the ball much when offenses actively avoid you.
Versatility: The Magic Word
Campbell raved about Branch’s ability to do literally everything:
- Cover receivers, tight ends, and running backs
- Blitz and apply pressure
- Play deep or drop into the box
- Clean up the run game
“He’s a force,” Campbell said. “Whatever you need, he’s got it.”
So while Branch might feel like he’s making a small ripple, his coach sees a full-blown tidal wave.
The Bigger Picture for Detroit
Last year, the Lions sat pretty at 9-1. This year, they’re 6-4 and playing chase with the Bears and Packers. With Thanksgiving and a divisional stretch ahead, having someone like Branch — no matter what grade he gives himself — might be the difference between slipping and surging.
And next up? A 2-8 Giants team that’s lost five straight. Perhaps the perfect stage for Branch to snag that elusive interception and bump himself up from C-plus to something a little more Dan Campbell-approved.