Lions safety Brian Branch was ejected for very questionable reasons following a hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton during Sunday’s 24-14 win in Green Bay.
The hit happened in the second quarter with the Lions up 7-3 as Branch lowered his head on Melton catching him high during the process.
Ironically, despite lowering his head, Branch actually used his shoulder to catch Melton during the play which was originally flagged as an unnecessary roughness call and was seemingly going to be left at that. However, after some discussion and help from New York Branch was eventually ejected.
In the postgame, Branch’s defensive backfield partner Kerby Joseph who had a pick six on Jordan Love was very clear in his thoughts on the play…
One more thing on the play in question, if it was left as an unnecessary roughness call and that’s it there wouldn’t be any controversy surrounding it. It was a penalty, no question. However, the ejection just further illustrates the inconsistencies with NFL officiating in general. Not to mention the fact that the ejection was essentially handed from New York makes this whole thing worse.