Lions safety Brian Banch has been ejected and Tom Brady may be in trouble with the NFL

Well, there's a lot going on between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, and it could have consequences as defensive lineman Brian Branch was ejected from the game, potentially getting network analyst Tom Brady in trouble with the NFL.

Branch first…

Branch goes helmet to helmet on receiver

With 6:10 left to play in the second quarter, Packers quarterback Jordan Love attempted a pass to receiver Bo Melton. And Branch, a safety, came forward with the helmet and made sure Melton didn't catch the football.

Flags were flying everywhere. And Branch and the Lions were penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Nobody objected.

Except that before the next play was called off, the officials stormed in and stopped the game. And they announced that Branch had been disqualified from the remainder of the match.

This will result in another 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 3: Brian Branch #32 of the Detroit Lions reacts after being ejected during the second quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 3, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

NFL branch in New York

Now we have a mess.

Branch was upset. The Lions sideline was upset. The people at Lambeau Field were thrilled.

It was chaos.

Therefore, the FOX Sports broadcast goes to their acting analyst Dean Blandino.

“It happened so late, it had to come from New York,” Blandino said. “They look at it, they decided the hit was elevated to the level of a disqualification.”

The league ultimately told Blandino that Branch's hit was “flagrant” and avoidable.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Broadcasters Kevin Burkhardt (L) and Tom Brady (R) walk the field before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Brady may have crossed the line

And then Brady, the lead FOX football analyst for the weekly main game, chimed in.

“I don’t love that call,” Brady said. “I mean, it's obviously a penalty. But for me there has to be serious intention in a game like this.”

And there you have it – except the Lions are losing one of their best defensive players and Brady may be in trouble along with Branch.

Branch is in trouble because he will likely face a fine in addition to his disqualification.

So why is Brady in trouble?

Remember, Brady is part of the Las Vegas Raiders ownership group.

LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 8: Mark Davis and Tom Brady attend Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Criticism of the office is a taboo

And reading the letter of the rule imposed by the NFL when Brady became both a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and a FOX Sports analyst, it appears Brady crossed the line with his comment.

Brady must abide by the league's constitution and bylaws, which prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs. Brady is subject to NFL discipline for criticizing officials.

That's not the only guideline Brady has had to abide by since beginning his dual career as a network analyst and part owner of the Raiders.

The NFL informed owners during a meeting on August 27 that it would limit Brady's access to teams due to his role as a broadcaster on Fox. This came after some owners expressed concerns that a potential Raiders owner could be privy to their practice or “let into our tent,” a source said.

Brady is prohibited from attending production meetings. He is prohibited from entering team facilities to watch practices and is prohibited from manipulating players from other teams in his on-air comments or in personal conversations.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 15: Tom Brady looks on before the game at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Will the NFL let Brady slide?

The question now is how strict the NFL will be with Brady by applying the rule about criticism of officials to him.

If the league follows the rules, Brady will be fine.

But you know, it's Tom Brady. So maybe the NFL will look the other way. It wouldn't be the first time the league has been accused of something like this.