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

Rob Goldberg@TheRobGoldbergX.com LogoFeatured Columnist

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 2: Cornerback Aqib Talib #21 of the Denver Broncos takes a knee during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. Denver defeated Tampa Bay 27 to 7. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
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 the 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.

"It wasn’t too big of a deal, man,” Talib said Wednesday, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. “I argue with my mother and she still makes me breakfast. It’s part of football. It wasn’t even like an argument, though. I don’t know who did it, Mike Silver—I don’t know who did it, but I think they made too much of it.”

“It’s football, man. Y’all were just doing your job. I respect it,” Talib said of media, per Jhabvala. “Y’all needed a story. Y’all didn’t want to talk about Tom [Brady] and his 180 yards and no touchdowns, so y’all figured y’all would talk about that.”

Okung discussed the situation Monday 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.

He expanded on the incident, per Jhabvala:

Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala

Russell Okung addresses the locker room incident. https://t.co/mgQRXzmMvS

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

Denver went just 5-of-23 on third downs in these two games.

Greg Bedard of Sports Illustrated summed up the offense succinctly:

Greg A. Bedard @GregABedard

The Broncos' offense is putrid.

While the Broncos defense was well ahead of the offense last season—No. 4 in points allowed compared to No. 19 in points scored—the two sides came together to bring home a Super Bowl title.

This year hasn't seen as much success, as the squad is 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.