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NFL Announces Triple Punishment for Detroit Lions

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Nov 29, 2025 5:59 PM ET

The Detroit Lions may have won in Week 12 against the New York Giants, but it wasn't all positive for them.

Detroit took down the Giants, 34-27 in overtime, with Jared Goff throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns on 28-of-42 passing. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs also had two rushing touchdowns and a receiving score in the victory.

However, the team had plenty of violations during the contest, which the NFL has decided to punish.

In its Week 12 update for gameday accountability, the NFL fined three Lions players for their actions. Safety Brian Branch received the costliest punishment; he was fined $23,186 for unnecessary roughness after hitting a defenseless player.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) calls out a play during a game.Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Linebacker Jack Campbell was slapped with a $17,389 fine for unnecessary roughness as well, this time for a hip-drop tackle.

Lastly, the NFL hit offensive tackle Dan Skipper with a $6,917 fine for taunting, which the league deemed unsportsmanlike conduct.

Branch's fine is particularly noteworthy because it's the second straight week in which he has been punished. In Week 11, he received an $11,599 fine for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Philadelphia Eagles receiver Jahan Dotson. That made his Week 12 penalty a second offense this season, increasing the fine amount.

According to Mike Payton of A to Z Sports, the NFL's latest decision involving Branch has increased his total career fines to $164,744. Branch is just in his third season in the NFL after being selected 45th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has not even reached 50 games in his career.

It remains to be seen if Branch or the other Lions players who were fined will appeal the punishment. Nevertheless, they will need to be careful with their actions moving forward since repeated violations carry a higher fine.

Detroit (7-5), which fell 31-24 to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, squares off at home against the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) at 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday on Amazon Prime Video.

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

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