The Detroit Lions picked up a massive 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders. In the process, the offense saw head coach Dan Campbell take play-calling duties from offensive coordinator John Morton. It clearly worked out in their favor, as they racked up 546 total yards of offense and averaged 8 yards per play.
It was great to see that kind of production, but the game wasn't without controversy. In the second quarter, Commanders defensive tackle Payne was seen punching Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and was ejected. And for those actions, he'll have to suffer the consequences.
On Monday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefer reported that "has been suspended (one) game for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct."
NFL Suspends Daron Payne for Punching Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Following the game, Commanders defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw claimed (h/t @woodwardsports) that he saw St. Brown punch Payne first, which led to the Commanders defender's retaliation. Nonetheless, the NFL isn't standing with this sort of behavior, and the veteran run-stopper will officially miss the Week 11 contest against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Spain.
Regardless of what the Commanders believe, Payne's action is ridiculous. Football is very competitive, and there will be trash-talking taking place. That's normal and expected to be quite frank, but when things get physical, it crosses a line.
Kudos to St. Brown for handling the situation with class and not escalating things. That's a tough thing to do, but that was the right approach. The Lions have bigger fish to fry, and St. Brown is a big part of their success.
In the win over the Commanders, St. Brown had five catches for 58 receiving yards and a score. For the 2025 season, the USC product is fourth in the NFL in catches (64), fifth in receiving yards (693), and second in rushing touchdowns (8), cementing himself as one of the league's top playmakers. A reputation like that is bound to attract haters.
It's also encouraging to see the NFL treating all teams equally. Lions safety Brian Branch was suspended for a game after hitting Kansas City Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster earlier in the season, and there would've been a lot of anger in the Motor City had Payne gotten off scot-free.
Hopefully, Payne's suspension helps the Commanders vet realize that you can't punch another player, regardless of whether you have every reason to. The most effective way to send a message in football is on the field and the scoreboard, which is exactly what the Lions did in the form of a 22-point win on Sunday afternoon.