The Detroit Lions had a critical turn of events during their 24-14 Week 9 win over the Green Bay Packers, which could have been a deciding factor in the game's outcome.
In the second quarter, Brian Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers wide receiver Bo Melton, which could have caused a bit of panic for the Detroit defense. The Packers had momentum, and were threatening to score before halftime. The Lions got a field goal. Then, Kerby Joseph appeared.
Like a flash, Joseph intercepted a pass and sprinted into the end zone to give Detroit a 17-3 lead going into the half. Quite literally, the play changed the dynamic of what had been a close game. Joseph said he was obligated to pick up Branch with a big play.
"That's my brother, so I'm going pick up his slack, you know what I'm saying? This team is built off next man mentality, so we're built off adversity. Free (Brian Branch) man, but we just got to be smart when we're making plays like that, but that's just who he is. He just has that dog mentality whistle to whistle. We just go hard."
Much like Branch, Joseph plays aggressively. The fact that he came through in a big moment with a game-changing play proves nobody in Detroit's secondary should change their mindset because of a judgement call that came from the league office.
Kerby Joseph doesn't want Brian Branch to stop playing with an edge
In the aftermath of the ejection, and another helmet-to-helmet hit (his second this season), there may be a temptation to think Branch needs to dial it back in order to avoid future incidents. That isn't what Joseph wants at all.
As a fellow safety, Joseph knows that it's not reasonable to expect Branch to change how he plays the game.
"The referees have to do their job and stuff like that, but I'm never really going to tell (Brian) Branch to slow down. That's just who he is. He goes full speed and I love that about him, so man, free Brian Branch."
Regardless of whether Branch is suspended for the hit last Sunday, Joseph is there to support his partner in the secondary. Moreover, he doesn't want the play to have a lasting negative impact on Branch's confidence.