Michael Crabtree and Aqib Talib’s bad blood stemming from last season’s chain pulling incident spilled over into Sunday’s game where the Oakland Raiders hosted the Denver Broncos. Just about three minutes into the game, the two went at it on the sidelines. This prompted an all-out brawl that led to both players being ejected.
Michael Crabtree, Aqib Talib Suspended Two Games for Sunday Skirmish
The skirmish began after Crabtree blocked Talib into the ground out of bounds, well after the play was over. Players from both teams rushed over to defend their teammates. Suddenly, Crabtree and Talib veered away from the action for another chance to go one on one.
Both exchanged blows, with Crabtree seeming to land one inside the Talib’s facemask, before Broncos Domata Peko, and Raiders Cordarrelle Patterson separated them. Both Crabtree and Talib were ejected. Raider Gabe Jackson was also ejected for knocking an official to the ground while entering the fray.
The entire incident can be seen below:
Broncos and Raiders fight inspired by Aqib Talib and Michael Crabtree pic.twitter.com/I0rcqi5pIm
— Nick Bromberg (@NickBromberg) November 26, 2017
Crabtree and Talib are appealing their two game suspension in the hopes of lowering it to only one. Crabtree has no history of suspension, so he has a shot at a reduction. Talib however, does. He was suspended for infamously poking Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen in the eye during a game back in 2015.
For the Raiders, it is a much bigger blow if Crabtree is absent for the next two games. After winning Sunday’s game, they are right back in the thick of things for the AFC West crown. The Kansas City Chiefs are in a free fall. After starting the season 5-0, they have now dropped five of their last six, looking mostly inept on the offensive side of the ball.
Now however, the Raiders will likely be without both of their starting wideouts for at least the next game. Amari Cooper is dealing with both a concussion, and an ankle sprain as a result of a huge hit that knocked him out of last week’s game. Now Patterson, Seth Roberts, and Johnny Holton will have to step up if the Silver and Black have a chance to stay in the playoff race. The Raiders are now 5-6.
The loss of Talib has less of a sting for the Broncos. Now at 3-8, their season is as good as over. The team will have to continue without their number one cornerback, but it doesn’t do much to alter the outcome of their season overall.
Oakland goes up against the New York Giants this week at Oakland Coliseum. Denver, on the other hand, travels to Hard Rock Stadium to face the Miami Dolphins.
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