As the Detroit Lions’ ragtag group of inexperienced defensive backs celebrated their unexpected success in a 24-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, most had one thing in common: they were sporting Brian Branch #32 jerseys.
Over the past week, it’s clear the Lions defense took offense at how the NFL treated one of its own. It was one thing to suspend Branch for the fight he started at the end of the team’s loss to the Chiefs. It was another to put out an NFL Films clip that montaged Branch’s worst moments from that game, and layered it with some pretty nasty narration.
“I feel like it was kind of messed up,” Lions cornerback Amik Robertson said.
On Monday, the Lions channeled those frustrations into a shockingly-good performance. A load of backup defensive backs—many in their first significant NFL action—were able to hold Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to season lows in yards per attempt (4.6), passer rating (66.1), and incompletions (22). This is the same Baker Mayfield that was considered a top-three MVP candidate going into the week (he’s dropped to fourth now). Tampa managed just nine total points, their lowest total in over a calendar year.
After the game, Robertson admitted the NFL’s antics against Branch were a big motivator this entire week.
“That was our goal to go out there and support him because we’re always in his corner,” Robertson said. “Great player, an unbelievable person, great teammate. So, we wanted to go out there represent him and when we stepped in the building, we wanted him to know that we’re in his corner no matter what. We love him. We can’t wait to have him back.”
It doesn’t take much to motivate the Lions these days. They know success, they know failure, and most importantly, they know the value of hard work and unrelenting effort. But when the league is going to throw them a bone like this, they’re going to eat it up, too.
“That’s what our guys are about,” coach Dan Campbell said before the game. “We overcome adversity. And listen, that’s their brother and if you’re going to attack their brother, that’s what they’re going to do. So, we’ve got a tight knit group.”
Erick Hallett had the unenviable task of filling Branch’s big shoes on gameday. Hallett had only played in a single NFL game in his career—six special teams snaps against the Chiefs last week. That inexperience for not just him, but also Nick Whiteside and Thomas Harper, led many analysts—myself included—to wonder if they could hold up against a hot Buccaneers offense. That doubt, also served as some extra motivation this week.
“I told [the inexperienced DBs] even though this may be y’all first opportunity, show the world because we heard the noise,” Robertson said. “We heard all the noise, ‘Secondary, whatever, whatever.’ But those guys went out there and played their hearts out and I had no doubt in them. I just wanted them to—let’s go out there and show everybody instead of talking about it. And then that’s what I felt like they did tonight.”
This may be the only opportunity these guys get for the Lions this year. Terrion Arnold is trending toward returning after the bye week. Branch’s suspension is already up. Kerby Joseph will likely be back for the next game, and DJ Reed will be eligible to come off injured reserve in early November. But for one night, these guys balled out, showed the world, and supported their fallen teammate.
See More:
