By Blessing 
One of the biggest moments from the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions matchup on Sunday, October 12, didn’t even happen during the game itself. After the Chiefs secured a 30–17 victory on Sunday Night Football, emotions spilled over on the field — and things got heated fast.
As the clock ran out, Detroit safety Brian Branch appeared to snub Patrick Mahomes during the postgame handshake, and moments later, he struck Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster across the face. The confrontation quickly went viral and sparked plenty of discussion across the league.
After the game, Mahomes addressed the incident with a calm but pointed comment.
> “We play the game in between the whistles,” Mahomes told reporters. “They can do all the extracurricular stuff they want to do, but we play the game in between the whistles. And we thought we played a great game today, and we’ll keep this momentum moving forward.”
It was clear the Chiefs star was throwing some shade at Detroit’s fiery style of play.
The league didn’t waste time responding. On Monday, October 13, the NFL announced a one-game suspension for Branch due to what it called an unnecessary and dangerous hit. The Lions safety immediately filed an appeal, hoping to overturn the punishment.
However, on Wednesday, October 15, the league made its final decision — and it wasn’t in Branch’s favor.
NFL senior vice president of football and international communications Michael Signora shared the outcome on X (formerly Twitter):
> “Hearing officer Jordy Nelson, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, has upheld the one-game suspension of Detroit defensive back Brian Branch.”
ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed the same news, writing that Branch’s suspension “was upheld upon appeal.”
Detroit Saw This Coming
The ruling didn’t surprise anyone in Detroit. Head coach Dan Campbell had already braced for the worst earlier in the week.
> “If it happens, that’s a bonus,” Campbell said. “Right now, I’m assuming he’s out and he’s not going to win.”
The original suspension came from NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan, who was blunt in his letter to Branch.
> “Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players,” Runyan wrote. “Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”
With Branch sidelined, the Lions will have to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football without one of their defensive playmakers. He’ll be eligible to return to the active roster on Tuesday, October 21.
Detroit gets a bye in Week 8 before facing their NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, in what’s shaping up to be another physical matchup.