The Detroit Lions have their teammate’s back.
Safety Brian Branch was suspended one game after he struck Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster after a Week 6 game and set off a brief fight.
The Lions were forced to play without Branch on “Monday Night Football” against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Detroit had a promising, dominating performance against Tampa, winning 24-9.
St. Brown, Robertson Support Branch Postgame
Several Lions players wanted to reach out to their teammate during postgame celebrations Monday.
“We love each other — we play for each other,” said receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown after the game. “Guys make mistakes, it doesn’t matter, we were here for each other.”
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 20: Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball against Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter of the game at Ford Field on October 20, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Cornerback Amik Robertson donned Branch’s No. 32 jersey during his postgame press conference to show support.
“That was our goal to go out there and support him because we always in his corner,” he said. “Great player, an unbelievable person, great teammate. We wanted to go out their and represent him. We love him, we can’t wait to have him back.”
Detroit Defense and Jahmyr Gibbs Was Recipe for Success
The Lions defense brought Tampa’s quarterback Baker Mayfield back to reality this season. Mayfield had a strong start to the season with whispers that he was in the MVP race, but the former No. 1 overall pick struggled on Monday night.
On offense, running back Jahmyr Gibbs shined. He scored on a long sprint in the second quarter and a 5-yard spinning dive in the third, while racking up a career-high 218 yards from scrimmage.
“You felt like this was coming,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “This has been building.”
The Lions (5-2) rebounded from their loss in trademark fashion, extending their NFL-best streak to 51 consecutive regular-season games without suffering back-to-back defeats—a run that has lasted nearly three years.
“The guys responded, which I knew they would,” Campbell said.
Tampa Bay (5-2) was outgained by more than 200 yards in the first half but trailed only 14-3, thanks to Detroit’s miscues — an interception, a fumble, a turnover on downs, and a missed field goal.
Rookie Tez Johnson cut the deficit early in the second half with a 22-yard touchdown catch, bringing the Buccaneers within five, but they had no answer for Gibbs.
On the following drive, Gibbs broke loose for a 15-yard run and hauled in a 28-yard reception, setting up his second touchdown to extend Detroit’s lead to 21-9 late in the third quarter.
The third-year running back capped the night with a season-best 136 rushing yards on 17 carries and 82 receiving yards on three catches — a combined total topped only four times in franchise history this century.
Gibbs also became the first NFL player since Chris Johnson in 2009 to record at least 135 rushing yards, 80 receiving yards, and two rushing touchdowns in a single game.
“He’s a very talented running back and when you miss a gap, he can turn it into a big play,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff completed 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, while Mayfield went 28 of 50 for 228 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.
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