GREEN BAY, Wis. – Why was Brian Branch ejected from the Detroit Lions’ 24-14 win Sunday against the Green Bay Packers?

Branch received a personal foul for a helmet hit against Green Bay receiver Bo Melton in the second quarter, but it turns out the disqualification came from the league office in New York. The officials announced their decision on the field and Branch was ejected from the field, but not before doubly saluting the Packers sideline, receiving another personal foul for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“We looked at all angles and clearly felt he had the time and space to make a different choice, because this act was a blatant foul,” said NFL vice president of officiating , Perry Fewell, in a hen report. “And he clearly had the opportunity to avoid the head and neck area.”

The incident occurred with Detroit leading 7-3 in the second quarter. Quarterback Jordan Love threw a pass to Melton down the left sideline, and Branch threw it with a one-on-one collision right after the ball arrived. Melton couldn’t catch the pass, but the play resulted in an immediate penalty for unnecessary roughness.

Then a call came from New York that Branch was disqualified and the Lions lost one of their best defensive playmakers for their battle for the NFC North lead.

Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t play the play before his postgame news conference, but applauded the officiating crew for calling it a good game. He said Branch would have to be taught how to stay inconspicuous without taking away the physicality that made him a special enforcer in the backfield of the defense.

“I never want to take away his aggression and aggression, that’s what makes him the player he is,” Campbell said. “But it also doesn’t help us when he’s not available in the game. Tell him to turn it down.” And he has to get used to it too. When you’re playing prime time games, New York is going to look at a lot of them. They don’t care about the 1 p.m. games. That’s what they do with these primetime games. So understand the situation and we will fix it. Everything will be fine.

Although the loss of Branch was significant, the Lions handled the situation well. The defense actually scored as many touchdowns (one) as the Packers (one) the rest of the game, thanks to a Kerby Joseph pick that increased the lead to 17-3 with 26 seconds left in the half. Detroit scored another touchdown coming out of intermission, and the game was never in question again.

Joseph and Branch have been one of the league’s best safety tandems this season, combining for 10 interceptions and both players ranking among the league’s top five safeties according to Pro Football Focus. Joseph supported his teammate after the match.

“I will never tell BB to slow down,” Joseph said. “That’s who he is. He’s going to go full speed, and I like that about him. So man, free BB.

Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown called the ejection “questionable,” saying he thought Branch was leading with his shoulder.

“To me, an expulsion didn’t seem warranted,” St. Brown said. “I don’t know how it all happened, but I thought he put his shoulder in it. I didn’t really see everything. But it’s a little – I don’t know, it’s a little uncertain.

As for the double pigeons, there was nothing doubtful about it. Branch raised both middle fingers toward the Packers sideline after his ejection, drawing another personal foul, before heading back up the tunnel. And the crowd — where tens of thousands of Lions fans invaded enemy territory — cheered Branch for the two-fingered salute.

“We have some ride-or-die people,” cornerback Amik Robertson said with a laugh. “That’s what I’ll say.”

Or as offensive lineman Dan Skipper tweeted: “How can we send this on a T-shirt and a box to the guys?

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