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Cris Collinsworth Predicts Star Player Will Face NFL Punishment After Lions-Chiefs Postgame Brawl

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 11:57 PM ET

Key Points

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Detroit Lions 30-17 on "Sunday Night Football."
A postgame fight broke out between the teams after an altercation between Lions defensive back Brian Branch and Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
NBC Sports color commentator Cris Collinsworth believes Branch is likely to face major punishment from the NFL.

The Kansas City Chiefs entered Sunday night in desperate need of a win—and that’s exactly what they got, defeating the Detroit Lions 30-17 to improve to 3-3 on the season. The Lions, meanwhile, fell to 4-2.

After the game, tensions boiled over as a postgame fight broke out, primarily between Lions defensive back Brian Branch and Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco was also involved as players and coaches from both teams scrambled to separate everyone at midfield.

The altercation began when Branch ducked Patrick Mahomes’ handshake after the game. Schuster confronted him, and Branch ultimately punched him in the helmet, sparking the wider conflict.

Check it out:

A fight broke out at the end of the Lions-Chiefs game.

The events that led to it:
◽️ Brian Branch refused to shake hands with Patrick Mahomes
◽️ JuJu Smith-Schuster confronted Branch
◽️ Branch slapped Smith-Schuster

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NBC Sports color commentator Cris Collinsworth immediately reacted to Brian Branch throwing a punch, predicting that the defensive back is likely to face significant punishment from the NFL.

"The league's gonna take action on that one against Branch," Collinsworth said after watching the replay.

His colleague Mike Tirico added, "Especially Branch, who has a history of multiple fines—three so far this year and seven last year."

NBC Sports broadcaster Cris Collinsworth watches from the sidelines during a preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets.Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesKirby Lee-Imagn Images

The league has been strict about issuing fines this season for taunting, obscene gestures, and player-safety violations—whether during the game or afterward, as in this instance. There’s a strong chance that Brian Branch, and potentially others involved, will face consequences from the NFL.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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