Allen Park — Brian Branch estimates he’s watched the replay of his interception, returned 50 yards for a touchdown in the Detroit Lions’ season-opening victory, one hundred times.
Honestly, who could blame him? Not only was Branch living out the dream of debuting in the NFL, but he also intercepted a pass against the defending Super Bowl champions, on a throw by the league’s reigning MVP, Patrick Mahomes, helping turn the tide in the game.
“It’s a dream come true,” Branch said. “Just feeling like a little kid and just being out there. As a little kid, you look to players in the NFL and one day hoping you could make a play like that. Just being able to make that play for my first game, I’m blessed. Just got to keep going.”
That last sentence is key. While no one can fault Branch for relishing his moment, he’s just as eager to turn the page and move on to what’s next, which includes cleaning up his mistakes and preparing for this week’s opponent, the Seattle Seahawks.
Branch, Detroit’s starting nickel cornerback, will draw a tough primary challenge this week, when he’s tasked with covering another rookie, slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a first-round pick for the Seahawks.
A highly productive college receiver, when healthy, Smith-Njigba caught three passes for 13 yards in his NFL debut. It will be the first time the two have gone head-to-head since the College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2020. In that meeting, Smith-Njigba was targeted four times while Branch was in coverage, catching two passes for 20 yards and having one broken up by the defensive back.
“He’s a good receiver, shifty, knows the defense, knows how to get open,” Branch said. “Really, my eyes this game is going to be a big part for me that I’ve got to work on. It’s going to be a good game.”
Branch will also need to continue to refine his communication with his new teammates, where he had some notable lapses against the Chiefs.
“I did OK, in my eyes,” Branch said. “Like Coach Dan (Campbell) said, I do have a lot of corrections that I do need to correct. But it was a good first game. Moving forward, just have to fix those and not let them become the same mistakes over and over again.”
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter/X: @Justin_Rogers