NFL fans blast Brian Branch after Lions DB gets ejected for "dirty" hit on Packers' Bo Melton - "Arrest that thug" 

There was a moment in the second quarter of the game between the Lions and the Packers on Sunday when Bo Melton missed a throw from Jordan Love, but Brian Branch hit him as he was going down. It was a contact by the Detroit safety to the head and neck area, and officials immediately threw multiple flags.

Considered a dangerous play, it gave the Packers a first down. To add insult to injury, the referees were then instructed by their bosses in New York that the Lions defensive back needed to be ejected for endangering his opponent. The decision was vigorously protested by Brian Branch, which ended with him having to be shepherded away and towards the locker room. But while leaving he accrued a further 15 yards on a penalty after flipping the booing crowd.

Fans took to X/Twitter, to blast him for not being careful with how Brian Branch hit Bo Melton. Here are some of the reactions on the social media platform:

Others didn't agree that the play was dirty and defended the Lions defender. When Brian Branch hit Bo Melton, he was already committed to attacking the wide receiver and didn't have enough time to change directions when he reeled it in. Here are some other responses showing the other side:

"Absolutely the softest call ever... joke of a league" - complained one.

"ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT" - vented another.

"As a Packers fan that was a soft weak bullsh!t call. Ruining the game." - even a Green Bay fan agreed.

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NFL clarifies why Lions' Brian Branch was ejected for hitting Packers' Bo Melton

With fans divided about what the right response by the officials should have been, people were waiting to hear from the league with further clarification. Many agreed that it should have been a penalty for a hit to the head-and-neck area but contested the ejection because the defender didn't have time to change where he was going.

However, on the FOX broadcast in the second half, it was clarified why New York got involved and asked the referees to throw Brian Branch out even though they had not initially reached that decision. They reportedly caught him lowering his helmet and shoulder before making the hit on Bo Melton. Hence, it wasn't that he couldn't change direction; rather they ejected the Lions' defensive back for how he initiated the contact.

If Branch gets any significant suspension, it will affect Detroit's playing style. They have already lost Aidan Hutchinson for the rest of the year and had to change how they rush the opposition passer. If now the secondary is also down a surefire starter, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn might have to pull something special out of his hat.