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Aqib Talib, Russell Okung Spark Broncos Locker Room Argument After Patriots Loss

By Rob Goldberg, Featured Columnist

Dec 19, 2016

Aqib Talib, Russell Okung Spark Broncos Locker Room Argument After Patriots Loss

Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

Back-to-back losses have put the Denver Broncos in tough shape for the postseason, and the frustration is boiling over.

After Sunday's 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots, several players had to be separated in the locker room, including offensive tackle Russell Okung and cornerback Aqib Talib, according to Michael Silver of NFL.com.

The confrontation reportedly included other linemen and defensive backs, which required head coach Gary Kubiak to separate them.

Okung discussed the situation after the incident, per Silver:

I definitely understand their frustration. They played well enough to win, and they held that team to 16 points, which a lot of teams don't do. We're an emotional team; that's what makes us so good. To me, that's part of who we are.

When our defense is out there, they're an emotional group, and they hold themselves to a high standard. As an offense, we need to do the same. So, I think (their frustration) is warranted. We've got to be better.

Okung expanded on the incident on Monday, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post:

Losing when only allowing 16 points should anger a defense, but the problem is only compounded with two similar losses in a row. The Broncos lost to the Tennessee Titans in Week 14 by a score of 13-10.

The offense was only 5-of-23 on third downs in these two games.

Greg Bedard of Sports Illustrated summed it up succinctly:

This year hasn't seen as much success with the squad currently sitting at 8-6 on the season and outside of the playoffs if the season ended today. With former Pro Bowl players fighting in the locker room, it's hard to say brighter days are on the horizon.