Up next in 10
Lions need Brian Branch back, Michigan needs a quarterback change, and the Red Wings have a chance to reset the mood
Oct 8, 2026
Detroit’s secondary is the biggest reason the Lions can’t take any game for granted, and Brian Branch’s return is framed as the fix. The conversation also turns to Michigan’s quarterback situation and the Red Wings’ weekend slate, with Dylan Larkin and a possible three-game winning streak driving the hockey debate.
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
The Lions have the Cardinals on their agenda this weekend, but until we get help in this
0:05
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 4.30 kickoff on Sunday, and it's against the Cardinals, and this is a
0:20
game that at the start of the season you had to feel very confident about
0:25
However, given the way our secondary has looked all season long, I'll stand by this
0:29
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
0:38
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
1:17
We've got an article on this, some more positivity coming around Brian Branch
1:21
Calvin Shepard sharing what he's seen out of Branch so far, and his words, again, check out that article
1:27
is it doesn't look like Brian Branch has missed a beat. And while that is very positive news
1:34
a 25% Brian Branch is better than any product we've had in the secondary all season long
1:40
We need Branch out there. Obviously you don want to rush him out there while he unhealthy don want to risk another injury But we need Brian Branch out there desperately Not only is he a capable NFL body in that secondary something we don have right now
1:57
he's an above average body in that secondary. Make no bones about it
2:01
He is a really good player in his position. And once he gets out there, you got to imagine the rest of the defense is going to improve too
2:10
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
2:18
And you got to believe Aiden Hutchinson will have a better time getting home to the quarterback too
2:23
Brian Branch changes this defense drastically. And while I don't want to rush an unhealthy Brian Branch out there, if he is able to play, you need him out there ASAP
2:34
Brian Branch, please, my friend, we need you on that field. Now, one team we will not be seeing on the field this weekend is Michigan
2:44
So, hallelujah, praise God, we do not have to see a third straight week of a Michigan Wolverines loss
2:51
They've got their bye week this weekend. Michigan State, they've got Illinois, but I want to talk about Michigan
2:57
because while I want to see Brian Branch on the field for the Lions
3:01
I don't want to see Bryce Underwood on the field for the Wolverines
3:06
I'm not the only one with that opinion. I'm sure you're not the only one with that opinion
3:11
And I know that for a fact because we got an article courtesy of a comment from former tight end Jake Butt
3:18
Remember that? Jake Butt, tight end for the Michigan Wolverines. Iconic name
3:23
Well, Jake Butt said he doesn't want to see Bryce Underwood out there anymore
3:28
And who can blame him? Color me blue and call me a smirk That sounds like a wonderful idea Let throw Tommy Carr out there I want to see that I sure you want to see that I sure the bulk of the Michigan fan base
3:42
wants to see Tommy Carr at this point. The Wolverines, they're in the same category as the
3:47
Spartans. Both teams are playing for nothing at this point. While the Wolverines were set up for
3:52
success early on in the season, they squandered it with a loss to Iowa and they squandered it even
3:59
further, they got an extra little slap to the hiney when they couldn't beat the goofy golden
4:03
goobers in Minnesota. That was the end of the season. Michigan is playing for nothing no more
4:10
They are playing for no chance at a playoff spot. They are having no shot at playing for anything in
4:16
the Big Ten. Their season's done. So is Tommy Carr going to be the answer long-term for the
4:21
Wolverines? Probably not, but no harm, no foul. I've seen no indication Bryce Underwood is going
4:27
to improve. I've got no indication he'll ever string it together, so why not ride it out with
4:33
Tommy Carr for the rest of the season? It's something I want to see, but more importantly
4:37
I think it's what most of the Michigan fan base wants to see at this point. Jake Butt, he agrees
4:44
let Carr play. And finally, let's wrap up with some games we got going on this weekend. Pistons
4:50
with more preseason play, but I really want to focus in on the Red Wings. They've got a game on
4:55
Friday against Seattle, a game on Saturday against Montreal. That game in Montreal, their first road
5:01
game on the season. Lots of storylines early on this year with the Red Wings from the first game
5:07
of the year hearing sell the team chants ring out throughout LCA and Dylan Larkin getting booed to
5:13
those boos becoming cheers in that win against Ottawa He got awarded first star overall had a goal had an assist had a fight He had the Gordie Howe hat trick He got cheered for those things I say it all the time You win games you play well
5:29
the crowd will cheer you. If you lose games, you play poorly, or you act like a total brat like he
5:35
kind of did this offseason, the crowd's going to boo you. It's what's to come. Now, I'm not denying
5:40
Dylan Larkin makes this team better. I don't think anybody's denying that. He is a really good player
5:46
definitely not elite and I think that's the expectation most fans had of him he's not going
5:51
to be elite but your team is better with Larkin on the ice the issue is not his play the issue is
5:59
he does not want to be here that's at least the seemingly scenario that's in front of us
6:04
all indications point to Dylan Larkin does not want to be here that's why these fans are soured
6:10
on it. But if you do stay here, if you put together good performances, if you score
6:16
you rack up points, and most importantly, you lead this team to victory, this fan base will
6:22
change their tune. Winning solves everything. Back-to-back games this weekend for the Wings
6:29
Seattle cracking at LCA, the Montreal Canadiens in Canada. Red Wings, how about we start off this
6:36
year with a three-game win streak after dropping your first two, I think that will completely
6:42
change the tune for the Red Wing fan base. Those are my thoughts
6:46
I'd love to hear from you. So as always, we encourage you to like, we encourage you to share, we encourage you to
6:52
comment, and we also encourage you to subscribe to the newsletter. It's free
6:57
You just drop your email in. We send you all the Detroit sports news that you need to know
7:02
So once more, it's been your Daily Rundown, and I'm Dustin Fiocco
7:06
This is Detroit Sports Nation
Sports