The Chiefs get away with murder after Brian Branch brawl following win over Lions
Sunday night was not a fun night for the Detroit Lions. Not only did they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, but they also lost Brian Branch for Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he started a brawl with Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster.
Since then, Lions fans have been going on social media and calling out Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' pretty clear taunting that went uncalled, and Juju Smith-Schuster's very clear violent block in the back that really started all of this. The wonder is why these players didn't get anything called on them and why they are not in any trouble. Now that the Gameday Accountability numbers are out, we can tell if they were disciplined or not.
Patrick Mahomes and Juju Smith-Schuster were not fined for their actions on Sunday Night against the Lions
This is just insane. Every week, players are fined for taunting, and they didn't do anything as bad as throwing the ball at a player's feet and then flexing at him and pointing at him. Either taunting is a thing the NFL cares about, or it isn't.
As far as Smith-Schuster goes, that block in the back should have garnered a fine, and while he definitely lost the fight, he still got into a fight, which is against league rules and is usually a fineable offense.
The NFL is doing nothing to get rid of the allegations that they are rigging things for the Chiefs. This has just been a really bad week for the league and its officials.
NFL Announces Punishments for Two New Lions Players Following Brian Branch Suspension
The Detroit Lions have put their matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs behind them as they prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on "Monday Night Football."
However, following the heated postgame brawl between the two teams — which led to a one-game suspension for Detroit CB Brian Branch, who started the altercation — two other Lions players have now been fined. The NFL announced the penalties on Saturday, along with 19 others across the league from Week 6.
Defensive tackle Tyler Lacy was fined $5,722 for an incident at the 14:17 mark of the third quarter, while linebacker Alex Anzalone received a $12,172 fine for an unnecessary roughness penalty at the 4:18 mark of the fourth quarter.
Check out the play that led to Anzalone's fine:
Anzalone’s punishment drew some backlash, as fans argued it didn’t warrant a fine — particularly given that no Chiefs players were penalized for any of the incidents that occurred during the Week 6 clash.
"Is this a joke?!?!" A fan said.
Someone else added, "League is so soft."
Another person wrote, "Are you kidding me!"
"The NFL is so [explicit] soft," a
One more fan commented, "This + No Chiefs fines is just the perfect capper on the NFL weeklong [explicit] for that team. Unbelievable, and yet they aren't even trying to hide it anymore."
Brian Branch attempted to appeal his suspension but was quickly denied. He is now set to miss this week’s game against the Buccaneers, who enter at 5-1 overall — one game ahead of the Lions. This matchup could carry significant playoff implications if both teams remain atop the NFC down the stretch of the season.
The only 2 untouchable players ahead of 2025 trade deadline
Titans QB Cam Ward and DT Jeffery Simmons are the only untouchable players on the roster ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
The Tennessee Titans are headed towards another rebuild. Tennessee fired head coach Brian Callahan this week following the team's 1-5 start to the season. Now it seems that the Titans are throwing in the white towel as they prepare to go on a fire sale.
The Titans are willing to trade just about anyone at the deadline this year. In fact, there are only two untouchable players on Tennessee's roster right now.
“The Titans are open for business on every player but QB Cam Ward and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons,” The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote on Saturday. “They are looking to stockpile future picks.”
Tennessee has reportedly received significant trade interest weeks before the NFL trade deadline on November 4th.
NFL insiders noted earlier this week that Simmons is not expected to be traded.
“The Titans were already poised to be active at the trade deadline, and the Callahan firing only expedites that process,” ESPN's Fowler wrote on Wednesday. “They know they need draft capital to rebuild the roster. Pass rusher Arden Key, cornerback Roger McCreary and tight end Chig Okonkwo are among players on my radar. There could be more.”
Will Titans get embarrassed by Patriots in Week 7?
Mike Vrabel's Patriots are visiting Nashville at precisely the right time.
Tennessee is in shambles while they prepare for their Week 7 matchup against New England. Meanwhile, the Patriots are finally figuring themselves out heading into Week 7.
The Titans are banged up and should be missing multiple players on top of their recent head coaching change.
Tennessee's top wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Tennessee will be forced to rely on youngsters like Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike at wide receiver with Ridley out.
The Titans also recently placed defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat on injured reserve, meaning he'll miss at least the next four weeks.
Things could get ugly during Vrabel's return to Nashville considering the lowly state of the Titans.
It will also be interesting to see how interim head coach Mike McCoy's offense looks against New England's defense.
Titans vs. Patriots kicks off at 1PM ET on Sunday.
