Things are getting wild in Nashville.
Driving down the field with a 10-0 lead, the Titans looked to have all the momentum in the world. Then, Harry Douglas did this to Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris:
Here is the cheap shot from the @Titans WR Harry Douglas on Chris Harris Jr. that had the #Broncos fuming. #DENvsTEN @TroyRenck @MaseDenver pic.twitter.com/VrW4jJWZUE
— Rusty Bill (@Rusty_Bill) December 11, 2016
An unquestionable cheap shot, that “block” from Matthews enraged Broncos Country.
Not only was the hit uncalled for, but it was clearly meant to do harm, and Denver wasn’t having any of it.
https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/808025515714023424
That was the dirtiest play I've seen in awhile.
— Colton Strickler (@coltonstrickler) December 11, 2016
Harry Douglas is pure scum.
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) December 11, 2016
Even current and former players were taking to Twitter to call out the dirty play.
That was a dirty cheap shot to Chris Harris Jr
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) December 11, 2016
Cheap ass block
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) December 11, 2016
Excuse my language but that's my brother and you don't play the game that way
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) December 11, 2016
Harry Douglas block on Chris Harris Jr is trash. #cheapshotBS
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) December 11, 2016
And knowing this Denver Broncos defense, they weren’t going to let a play like that go unanswered.
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/808025961790840832
And everyone who’s watched this defense over the last two years likely had a fairly good idea of who would be the one to seek out revenge.
Aqib Talb is mad. Yelling at some Titans. Teammates have to guide him away.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 11, 2016
And on the very next play, Talib did just that, as he shoved Douglas out of bounds and instigated a brawl that would take several minutes to clean up.
Getting ugly here in Nashville pic.twitter.com/tLAW5J9qWl
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) December 11, 2016
Aqib!!!!
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) December 11, 2016
Broncos went after Harry Douglas on the next play. Talib sticking up for his teammate. Pandemonium on the field.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) December 11, 2016
This is awesome. You knew Qib wasn't done.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 11, 2016
Talib about to get himself kicked out
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) December 11, 2016
Talib sought out Douglas, who deserves a nasty retort. His shot on Harris, who is thankfully back in the game, is beyond awful.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) December 11, 2016
How was Aqib Talib not ejected? He didn't even get a first-strike unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, just a personal foul.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 11, 2016
Did Talib do the right thing in drawing a 15-yard penalty to push the Titans deeper into Broncos territory?
It energized this defense, but it led to a Tennessee field goal, which expanded their lead to 13.
In the eyes of many, yes.
I love what Talib did https://t.co/4lgrTj3nHA it. And if you don't understand why it needs to be loved, you've never competed.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/808026490180866050
I don’t care. Good for Aqib.
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) December 11, 2016
I don't mind what talib did. Gotta have ur boys back. Sometimes u just gotta fight.
— JoelDreessen (@JoelDreessen) December 11, 2016
I honestly wish that brawl was worse and longet
— Sean Walsh (@seanwalshsports) December 11, 2016
Be mad at Aqib Tali if you want, his teammates love him. He has their back. #Broncos #DENvsTEN
— Clint Daly (@DalyDoseSports) December 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/808029207657902080
Others, though, weren’t so supportive, wishing Talib and the Broncos had waited until later to respond.
You have 32:30 to get your revenge. Doing it on the next play is dumb and selfish. #Broncos #Talib
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) December 11, 2016
I'm fine with defending your teammate. I'm fine with getting revenge. I just think you should be smart and strategic about it. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) December 11, 2016
Revenge is best served on second and long from deep in Tennessee territory. #Talib
— Casey Light (@lightonhisfeet) December 11, 2016
The Broncos, who trail 13-0 at the half, need a spark. We’ll see if this gives it to them.