NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Before the Broncos lost 13-10 to the Tennessee Titans, they lost their temper. They remained angry after the game with multiple players ripping Titans receiver Harry Douglas for a diving block into cornerback Chris Harris' right knee.
"It was a dirty play by a sorry receiver," Harris said.
Added outside linebacker Shane Ray, "You try to cut somebody's knees? That isn't right. When I turned around and saw him on the ground that's when the explosion happened."
What the Broncos lacked in execution, they showed in passion. The Broncos spewed lava when Douglass dived at Harris’ right knee with 3:10 remaining in the second quarter. Harris escaped injury, but Douglas did not elude his fury. Harris began pointing in his direction, calling him out, as Broncos players jawed with the Titans.
"He should be fined. That's not football," said Harris of the block that occurred on the opposite side of a Derrick Henry six-yard running play. "I have never had a guy try to end my career like that. The thought crossed my mind that it was serious. I can't tell you what I was yelling at him. It wasn't good."
On the next play, cornerback Aqib Talib tangled with Douglas -- if not most of the Titans' roster. Douglas and Talib exchanged words, then began fighting downfield, spilling onto the Titans sideline. Talib was taking up for Harris -- "We are family, especially on defense," safety T.J. Ward said -- and threatened Douglas in his postgame interview.
"It was a dirty play by a sorry player," Talib said. "He's got the same agent as me so when I see his a-- in Atlanta I’m going to beat his a--."
The league is expected to review the actions of Douglas and Talib for potential fines and discipline. Douglas defended himself afterward.
"I am a tough player. I am a gritty player," Douglas said. "I am not a dirty player no matter what anybody says."