For the second time in three weeks, there was a postgame brawl after and NFL game.
Two weeks ago, Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster got into a fight after the Chiefs’ 30-17 Week 6 win.
The incident was sparked when Smith-Schuster extended his hand for a handshake only to be met with a punch to the face from Branch, who claims he lost his cool because of the uncalled illegal blocks from the Chiefs WR during the game.
Branch was suspended one game for his actions while Smith-Schuster didn’t face any discipline from the NFL.
Though not as violent as the Lions-Chiefs scuffle, the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers had a postgame scrap of their own on Sunday after Buffalo’s dominant 40-9 Week 8 victory.
The fight started with Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins and Panthers defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, and escalated from there as multiple teammates got involved.
According to ESPN’s Kimberly A. Martin, Dawkins was approached by Robinson after the game ended while he was shaking hands with a few of his Panthers teammates, but Robinson wasn’t there to exchange niceties. In a video Martin posted to X, it appears Robinson had words for Dawkins, and the two began trash-talking one another.
Dawkins was seen smiling as he and Robinson were exchanging words, then Robinson removed his helmet and bumped Dawkins in the chest as things escalated. Dawkins appeared to raise his hands up just before Robinson shoved him, and as their teammates began to surround them, Robinson shoved Dawkins a second time, before the latter threw his hat at him.
Bills receiver Curtis Samuel tried to keep Dawkins at bay while Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown grabbed Robinson and escorted him away from the skirmish.
If the NFL is consistent with it’s discipline, Robinson could face a suspension for being the aggressor in the incident and being the first to get physical.
Per the NFL rulebook, players are typically fined $40,686 for fighting on their first offense and $81,374 for their second offense. A suspension could also be handed out in addition to a fine, though the Dawkins-Robinson scuffle likely won’t warrant one.
