During the Chiefs vs. Lions game, Lions safety Brian Branch hit Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in the face while the Chiefs were taking a knee. The hit hurt JuJu’s nose and caused a fight. But it didn’t affect quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid.

The Showtime stayed focused after the hit. “That’s a physical football team, and they have a mentality that they come in to play with, and we’re going to match that mentality. We’re not afraid to go up against anybody.” Mahomes said during the post-game conference. It showed they were not afraid. It came after he roasted the Lions that they played the game between the whistles.

The Chiefs wanted the win badly. They were 2-3 before the game. Kansas City led by three points at halftime. On the first drive of the third quarter, Hollywood Brown scored his first of two touchdowns. That score gave the Chiefs momentum. They stayed calm and played smart. But Branch’s hit definitely caused chaos on the sidelines. Nevertheless, Lions coach Dan Campbell apologized to the Chiefs camp. And it seems the Chiefs coach accepted it.

“Yeah, well, you guys saw it. The guy came up and hit JuJu for what looked like no reason. We were taking a knee, so that’s tough. Put pretty good damage on JuJu’s nose,” Andy Reid said during his post-game conference. Although he didn’t say much about Branch and Campbell’s team ignoring the player’s action, the disappointment is still there.

On the other hand, Lions’ HC felt embarrassed by the altercation. “Let me start with this. I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable, and it’s not going to be accepted here. It’s not what we do, it’s not what we’re about. I apologize to Coach Reid, the Chiefs, and Shuster. That’s not okay. That’s not what we do here, and it’s not going to be okay. He knows it, our team knows it.”

As the clock ran out at Arrowhead, tempers flared instead of handshakes. Lions safety brushed past Patrick Mahomes, who seemed ready for a friendly shake, and instead swiped JuJu Smith-Schuster across the facemask. JuJu hit the ground, popped right back up, and went straight at Branch. Within seconds, players from both sides joined in, and what should’ve been a calm postgame moment turned into a heated sideline scuffle that took officials and coaches several minutes to break up.

Smith-Schuster walked off holding a towel on his face. Branch also called his mistake “childish.” He said he got frustrated because of Smith-Schuster’s uncalled blindside block late in the game, but he knew the hit was wrong. Branch has already been fined three times in 2025 after being fined seven times last season. In his three NFL seasons altogether, he has been fined over $100,000. Now, this hit could lead to more fines or a suspension.

On the other hand, the Chiefs stayed focused. They finished the game strong and showed why they are still one of the top teams in the league.

Patrick Mahomes & Co. came up with a wonderful performance

The Chiefs beat the Lions 30-17 in a hard game. Patrick Mahomes completed 22 of 30 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for another touchdown. Isaiah Pacheco ran 12 times for 51 yards. Travis Kelce caught six passes for 78 yards. JuJu Smith-Schuster had three catches for 57 yards. Hollywood Brown scored two touchdowns in the second half. These scores helped the Chiefs snatch a victory.

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff completed 23 of 29 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs ran 17 times for 65 yards. Jameson Williams caught six passes for 66 yards and one touchdown. Brian Branch made seven tackles (4 solo) in the game.

Kansas City led by three points at halftime and scored 17 unanswered points in the second half. The offensive line blocked well and gave Mahomes time to throw and run. The Chiefs kept drives alive with short passes and key runs. Hollywood Brown’s touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter changed the game. Detroit could not catch up.

They had won four straight games before this, but the Chiefs’ second-half play was too strong.

Mahomes also spoke about his team. He said, “I always say it, and I mean it. Like, I’ve been blessed. Like, I drafted here in Kansas City, a great community, great ownership, and then getting one of the best football coaches of all time and some of the greatest players of all time around me. Makes my job a lot easier.” His words showed a positive mindset in his leadership.

Kansas City showed focus, teamwork, and experience. They proved they can handle pressure and win in tough, physical games. The victory gives the Chiefs confidence and momentum for the rest of the season.