A Pro Bowl safety for the Detroit Lions last season, Brian Branch doesn’t think much of his performance in the 2025 campaign.
“I’d give myself a C-plus right now,” Branch told WXYT-FM in Detroit. “I got to figure out how to get the ball. Yeah, I have to get the ball.”
But asked on Friday to give his assessment of Branch’s play in the Detroit secondary, Lions coach Dan Campbell had a different view.
“He’s productive as hell,” Campbell said. “And I get it, man. Sometimes you go in these games and you feel like, ‘Am I really a factor or the factor I want to be?’ And some of it is because you’re not getting targeted or the run goes the other way. But I can tell you this: He’s a force. He’s a productive player. He does a ton of things for us. He puts a lot of fires out.
“And I go back to his versatility in coverage, in pressure and playing in the box, run game. I mean, he can play deep, but he can play in the box. He just does so many different things for us at a high level, so he’s having an outstanding season.”
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OURNFL PAGE
Part of Branch’s dissatisfaction stems from his interception total. The former Alabama standout intercepted three passes as a second-round rookie in 2023 and four passes last season. But this season, Branch doesn’t have any interceptions.
“I only get the ball thrown at me one time a game or something like that,” Branch said. “Of course, I just got to take advantage of my opportunities. When they throw my way, I got to capitalize.”
Last season, opposing quarterbacks threw Branch’s way an average of 5.25 times per game. This season, the receivers covered by Branch are being targeted an average of 3.22 times per game.
“I’ve said it before: BB can cover now,” Campbell said. “He’s one of our best cover guys. And he can cover anybody. He can cover receivers, tight ends, backs, you name it. Whatever you need, he’s got it.”
Last season at this time, Detroit had a 9-1 record. The Lions will enter their Week 11 game this season at 6-4. Instead of leading the NFC North, Detroit is trailing the 7-3 Chicago Bears and 6-3-1 Green Bay Packers in the division standings.
The Lions lost to Green Bay 27-13 in the season-opening game on Sept. 7 and defeated Chicago 52-21 on Sept. 14. Detroit plays the Packers on Thanksgiving and faces the Bears in the regular-season finale on Jan. 4.
In their next game, the Lions play the New York Giants at noon CST Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit. The Giants have a 2-8 record and have lost their past five games.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.