WATCH: Rookie Brian Branch steals the show as he pick-sixes Patrick Mahomes over a Kadarius Toney drop on his debut
Brian Branch was the 45th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft that concluded back in April.
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Brian Branch picks off Patrick Mahomes (Images via NFL/X)
On Thursday, the defending Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes started their 2023 campaign with a home game against the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs went into a game with a couple of their star players missing as their tight end Travis Kelce and star pass rusher Chris Jones both were out due to injuries and contract issues. As if that wasn’t enough, the Chiefs receiver Kadarius Toney didn’t help his team when he dropped a pass from Mahomes that turned into a pick-six by the Lions rookie Brian Branch.
During the third quarter of the game, the Chiefs were 14-7 and had possession of the ball around the midfield. The Chiefs were facing a 3rd down and Mahomes threw a slant pass to his receiver Kadarius Toney. The rock hit Toney’s hands perfectly but the receiver dropped the ball and was scooped by the Lions’ rookie defensive back Brian Branch.
Furthermore, after intercepting the ball Branch turned on the engines and took the ball to the house for a 50-yard pick-six. That interception turned touchdown helped the Lions tie the 14 a piece. Check out the footage attached below!
The Alabama product Branch was picked in the second round by the Lions in the NFL Draft that concluded back in April. He was viewed as a first-round prospect but somehow ended up going in the second round.
Nonetheless, he has registered his first interception in the league in his first game itself, that too against Patrick Mahomes. Eventually, the Lions ended up winning the game 21-20, thanks to some remarkable performances from Detroit’s defense.
Patrick Mahomes is 0-1 for the first time in is career
The Chiefs’ star quarterback has lost a season-opening game for the first time in his career. Before tonight, Mahomes had never lost a week 1 game and had a perfect 5-0 record in season openers.
However, Mahomes lost on Thursday night against the Lions making his week 1 record 5-1. Still an impressive run. Mahomes didn’t have the best of the games but he managed to keep the Chiefs in the hunt without much help from his offensive unit. However, multiple drops in crucial situations by the receivers killed many drives.
Nonetheless, the Chiefs have another tough opponent in week 2 as they are scheduled to face the Jacksonville Jaguars next weekend in an away game. The Chiefs and their All-Pro QB Mahomes would be looking to steal a victory in week 2 against a tough Jacksonville team.
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Aravind Raj
(2075 Articles Published)