Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton took a controversial hit from Brian Branch on Sunday. Despite the intense collision,
Melton expressed a surprising perspective afterward. Following the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions, Melton commented on the helmet-to-helmet contact. He holds no resentment toward Branch’s actions.
“He was just playing ball,” Melton told ESPN reporters Eric Woodyard and Kalyn Kahler. “I’m all good, so it is what it is. He was playing ball and hit me when I was in the air. So it is what it is.”
Branch was ejected at the 6:18 mark in the second quarter with Detroit up 7-3. As he left, Branch raised his middle finger to the Lambeau Field crowd in frustration. He finished with two tackles.
Melton caught one pass for 19 yards, tying Christian Watson for the second-longest completion from Jordan Love. Detroit outscored Green Bay 17-0 in the second quarter to lead 17-3 at halftime. The Lions have won four of their last five meetings with the Packers.
Brian Branch Defended by Teammates
In the locker room, rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold defended Branch, arguing that Branch didn’t lead with his helmet.
“You know, BB is one of those guys that makes receivers think twice before they catch a pass,” Arnold said. “It was a great play.”
Arnold continued, criticizing the NFL’s offense-friendly rules.
“I just feel like, in this league, it’s become all about offense, and defense only has fear,” he said. “BB was just trying to instill fear, and he did that. No. 80 didn’t catch another pass.”
Cornerback Amik Robertson also supported Branch.
“Brian Branch made a football play, and they called it, but I think it was B.S. That’s part of playing DB,” Robertson said.
Branch, in his second NFL season, recorded 74 tackles, 50 solo stops, and three interceptions as a rookie. He’s already surpassed his rookie interception count with four this season, along with breaking up 11 passes—two shy of last year’s total.
With the 10-point victory, the Lions improved to an NFC-best 7-1 and extended their win streak to six games. Star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown trolled the Packers postgame with a sweatshirt. The Lions now face a major road game against the 6-3 Houston Texans next Sunday.
