The Lions had a strong first half, with a pick-six late to give them a 17-3 lead over the Green Bay Packers at the break. But there was a little bit of ugliness in there as well.
During the second quarter, safety Brian Branch was ejected for targeting on Packers wide receiver Bo Milton. Branch was also hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after he was ejected.
So how is social media taking the news?
I need to get a Thesaurus so I can find more words to describe how much I hate the ejection of Brian Branch in Green Bay. #Lions
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) November 3, 2024
The New York office just ejected Brian Branch like he’s still playing for Alabama.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) November 3, 2024
Brian Branch threw up double birds and the Lions didn’t give up points on that drive lol
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) November 3, 2024
Brian Branch right now pic.twitter.com/HOLa8zSKNI
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) November 3, 2024
NFL refs just completely changed the game by foolishly ejecting Brian Branch. Just give the 15 yarder and move on. 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/MVe98Y5oex
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 3, 2024
I do not like this call—and Tom Brady said the same thing.
They ejected safety Brian branch out of the game for nothing! ‼️
This is what I’m talking about when I say that the referees can literally determine outcomes. They took away the lion’s best defensive piece. I have never… pic.twitter.com/VxOL48Mk6e
— Joshua Tully (@ThaJungleKiDD) November 3, 2024
As many of y’all have (correctly) pointed out, the hit on Chris Olave earlier that knocked him out cold didn’t earn an ejection and was quite similar in nature. Melton was barely phased by Branch’s hit. That’s gonna require some crafty explaining by the NFL
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) November 3, 2024
I just can’t see the intent in real time being there for that hit by Brian Branch. It’s crazy to me that New York actively overturned the officials’ ruling on the field and disqualified him based on the slow-mo shot.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) November 3, 2024
