'Shouting Match' Ensues Between Broncos' Defense, Offense After Loss To Patriots
After a disappointing and disheartening 16-3 loss at home to the New England Patriots, the Denver Broncos' playoff aspirations and their chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions are now looking bleak, at best.
Perhaps more concerning, however, are reports that immediately after the ugly defeat at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, things turned even uglier in the Broncos' locker room.
According to a report from NFL.com's Michael Silver, before the Broncos' locker room was opened to the media, head coach Gary Kubiak asked the team if anybody wanted to step up and address the group.
"Veteran left tackle Russell Okung, who signed with the Broncos last March, stepped forward to speak, and cornerback Aqib Talib strongly objected. According to several witnesses, that set off a spirited shouting match between the team's defensive backs and offensive linemen -- one which Kubiak had to diffuse before it turned ugly.
"Pretty much your classic offense vs. defense divide," as one Denver player described it."
Last year the Broncos' offense was good enough with Peyton Manning/Brock Osweiler at the helm to put up enough points to back up their defense, which they've had trouble doing at times under Trevor Siemian and, occasionally, Paxton Lynch.
However, the team's defense was also good enough to mask a lot of the Broncos' offenses issues last season, which they've also struggled to get done after losing key cogs this offseason.
Still, in this game the Broncos' defense did just about everything in their power to keep things close. They limited Tom Brady and the high-flying Patriots offense to their second-lowest point total of the season and had Brady off balance much of the afternoon.
"I definitely understand their frustration," Okung said of the defense, per 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. 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."
Unfortunately for all involved, a divide between the two units appears to be growing as the now 8-6 Broncos sit on the outside of the AFC playoff picture looking in and are looking for someone to blame.
"We are an emotional group," T.J. Ward told Silver. 'That's why we play as well as we do. What happened wasn't even anything major -- just a little frustration. We're all trying to win."
The Broncos wrap up the season with two tough divisional games and they'll need to win both for a chance at a playoff berth. First, they hit the road and face the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas night before concluding the season against the division-leading Oakland Raiders on New Year's Day at Sports Authority Field.
Even though the Broncos currently sit behind the Ravens and Titans in the AFC playoff picture, according to USA Today, the Broncos still have a 61 percent chance of making the playoffs if they can win their final two games.
Still, they'll need some help to make it happen.
**Which teams Broncos fans need to root for the next two weeks.
Week 16: Dolphins vs. Bills: Root for Buffalo
Week 16: Titans vs. Jaguars: Root for Jacksonville
Week 16: Ravens vs. Steelers: Root for Pittsburgh
Week 17: Ravens vs. Bengals: Root for Cincinnati
Week 17: Texans vs. Titans: Root for Houston
Week 17: Patriots vs. Dolphins: Root for New England
So there's still a chance the 2016 Denver Broncos can sneak into the playoffs, but they'll need to right the ship on the field and in the locker room to keep their season alive for at least one more week.
Bryan Altman is, for some reason, an unabashed fan of the Rangers, Jets and Mets. If he absolutely had to pick a basketball team it would be the Knicks, but he'd gladly trade them for a championship for any of his other three teams.
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