OFFICIAL: 3 Lions Players Fined Ahead of Buccaneers Game — NFL Denies Appeal While Chiefs Player Escapes Punishment for Lions Incident

The NFL has ignited fury among Detroit Lions fans after fining three players from their heated Week 6 clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. No Chiefs players were penalized for their roles in a postgame altercation, prompting accusations of officiating bias against Detroit. The league’s disciplinary report has left the Lions’ fanbase reeling and demanding answers.

Safety Brian Branch faces a one-game suspension for striking Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster postgame. The incident, caught on camera, went viral, amplifying scrutiny on the NFL’s disciplinary decisions. Branch’s absence will be felt in Detroit’s upcoming matchup.

Linebacker Alex Anzalone was slapped with a $12,172 fine for unnecessary roughness during the game. Similarly, defensive lineman Tyler Lacy received a $5,722 fine for a comparable infraction, adding to the Lions’ mounting frustration with the league’s rulings.

Fans are outraged that JuJu Smith-Schuster avoided punishment despite video evidence of an illegal block from behind. The NFL deemed Smith-Schuster’s hit legal, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism and accusations of favoritism toward the Chiefs.

OFFICIAL: 3 Lions Players Fined Ahead of Buccaneers Game — NFL Denies Appeal While Chiefs Player Escapes Punishment for Lions Incident pic.twitter.com/2xmaugleAy

— Adam Schefler (@ScheflerAdamUs) October 20, 2025

Detroit’s appeals for Branch’s suspension and the fines on Anzalone and Lacy were denied by the NFL. This ruling has solidified the penalties, deepening the sense of injustice among Lions players and their passionate supporters.

Social media exploded with fan discontent, one tweeting, “Branch suspended, Anzalone fined, but JuJu walks free? The NFL’s bias is a joke.” The outcry reflects growing frustration with the league’s inconsistent approach to discipline.

Head coach Dan Campbell responded defiantly: “Fines, suspensions, or twisted rules won’t break us. We’ve fought tougher battles, and we’ll keep pushing for the Super Bowl.” His words have galvanized the team and its fans.

As Detroit prepares for their Monday night clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions are channeling their anger into focus. The penalties have only fueled their resolve to prove their dominance on the field, undeterred by adversity.