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Detroit’s secondary keeps the Lions from feeling safe, and Brian Branch is the difference-maker
Oct 8, 2026
The Lions can’t treat the Cardinals as a simple win when the secondary has looked this shaky all season. Brian Branch’s possible return is presented as the one move that could instantly raise the floor for the entire defense.
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0:00
The Lions have the Cardinals on their agenda this weekend, but until we get help in this
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secondary, no win is a gimme. I'm Dustin Fiocca with Detroit Sports Nation, and it's time for your daily rundown
0:12
How about we start off talking about our Lions? They've got a 430 kickoff on Sunday, and it's against the Cardinals
0:19
And this is a game that, at the start of the season, you had to feel very confident about
0:24
However, given the way our secondary has looked all season long, I'll stand by this
0:28
until they get help in that regard, no win is going to come easy for Detroit
0:34
I don't care if you're a good offense. I don't care if you're a bad offense. Every single offense in the league has the capability of shredding this Lions defense
0:44
Just look at what Bryce Young did to you last weekend. And he's a good quarterback, but last weekend, Bryce Young might as well have been Triple H in a cane mask
0:52
Our secondary was Katie Vick in a coffin. Go ahead and Google how that worked out for you
0:57
Not well. But it does not matter who you are in the league
1:01
You can easily shred up this Lions defense as is in the secondary
1:05
But all week, we finally have gotten some positive news when it comes to our secondary
1:10
And that news circulating around Brian Branch. The fact that he is eyeing a return to the field sooner rather than later We got an article on this Some more positivity coming around Brian Branch Calvin Shepard sharing what he seen out of Branch so far
1:25
And his words, again, check out that article, is it doesn't look like Brian Branch has missed
1:30
a beat. And while that is very positive news, a 25% Brian Branch is better than any product we've
1:37
had in the secondary all season long. We need Branch out there
1:41
Obviously, you don't want to rush him out there while he's unhealthy, don't want to risk another injury, but we need Brian Branch out there desperately
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Not only is he a capable NFL body in that secondary, something we don't have right now, he's an above average body in that secondary
1:59
Make no bones about it, he is a really good player in his position
2:04
And once he gets out there, you've got to imagine the rest of the defense is going to improve too
2:09
Other positions at corner and safety will be better Other performances like we saw out of a Lee McNeil against Carolina will be to come
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And you gotta believe Aiden Hutchinson will have a better time getting home to the quarterback too
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Brian Branch changes this defense drastically And while I don't want to rush an unhealthy Brian Branch out there
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If he is able to play, you need him out there ASAP
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Brian Branch, please my friend, we need you on that field
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