Aqib Talib

Report: Broncos involved in shouting match after loss to Patriots

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:01 p.m. ET

Sports Illustrated, SI Wire/Sports Illustrated

Several members of the Denver Broncos had to be separated following a locker room shouting match after Sunday's 16–3 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.

According to NFL.com, Broncos defensive backs and offensive linemen were involved in an altercation after Broncos coach Gary Kubiak asked players if they wanted to address the team.

Broncos left tackle Russell Okung volunteered to speak up, according to the report, but cornerback Aqib Talib quickly objected, leading to shouting between the two groups of players.

"I definitely understand their frustration," Okung told NFL.com. "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."

The Denver defense held the Patriots to 313 yards and Tom Brady had only 188 passing yards, his lowest yardage total of the season. Denver's offense turned the ball over three times and converted only two of their 12 third-down attempts.

"It's tough to see your blood brothers, guys you go to work with every day, get frustrated and air it out like that. You wish it wasn't that way," said wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. "But being as great a defense as they are, I can see why they're frustrated. As an offensive player, you've gotta be frustrated, too -- but then, at a certain point, it's hard to be frustrated. ... You see the same thing for 14 weeks -- we move the ball, move the ball, then get in the red area and we just fold. At some point, you just throw up your hands."

With the loss to the Patriots, the Broncos fell to 8-6 with two games remaining. Denver finds itself out of the playoff race in the AFC behind the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans.

- Scooby Axson

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