The tension between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions hit a boiling point after Sunday night’s heated clash, when Lions defensive back Brian Branch was caught on camera slapping Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during a post-play scuffle.

After the game, Branch attempted to justify his actions, claiming he was provoked.

“The slap wasn’t out of impulse,” Branch said. “The Chiefs may have played better than us this game, but JuJu and Mahomes were mocking the Lions the whole time. I just did what I had to do to get that respect back.”

His comments quickly went viral, sparking intense debate among fans and analysts across the league. However, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t hold back when asked about the situation during a postgame interview.

“If you’re more focused on running your mouth than putting points on the board, you’ve already lost,” Mahomes snapped. “You don’t earn respect by swinging at people — you earn it by showing up, dominating, and backing up your talk on the field.”

Mahomes’ sharp response immediately drew widespread praise from Chiefs fans, with many calling it a “perfect comeback” that left Branch speechless. Even several neutral observers noted that the star quarterback once again demonstrated his trademark composure and leadership, refusing to be drawn into unnecessary drama.

As for the league, the NFL is reportedly reviewing footage of the altercation to determine whether further disciplinary action will be taken against Branch.

The incident has only added more fuel to an already intense rivalry, and with both teams expected to remain playoff contenders, the next Chiefs–Lions matchup is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated rematches of the season.