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Horse Tracks: Broncos Aqib Talib did the right thing against the dirty Titans on Sunday

When officials fail to act after such an egregious assault, players must take policing the game into their own hands.

By Jess Place

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Harry How/Getty Images

I thought all this extra-curricular stuff between the Titans and Broncos was over once Cortland Finnegan left Tennessee. Not so!

The Tennessee Titans have continued their tradition of dirty play and lack of playoff success into the modern era.

If this is coming as news to you, I strongly urge you to read Laurie Lattimore-Volkman's comprehensive write-up on the events that took place during and after Sunday's game. Simply put, Titans receiver Harry Douglas dove at Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris, Jr.'s knee in an effort to seriously injure Harris. On the following play, Aqib Talib let Douglas know that kind of bush-league play wasn't going to be tolerated.

Harry Douglas, whose name sounds more like an entry in the urban dictionary for some obscure and degrading intimate act, was not penalized for his effort to take Harris out of the game.

What has the sport come to when a player so egregiously tries to injure another and gets away with it?

If the referees don't police the game, the players have to. If you ask me, Talib and the rest of the defense showed great restraint by only going after Douglas the one time. Dirtbag players need to pay for dirtbag moves and Talib did the right thing, penalty and all, in sending a message that sort of low-rent amateur hogwash doesn't fly in the NFL. Especially since the referees were incapable of sending that message themselves.

Talib vowed to "beat Douglas' ass" the next time they see each other. Talib is just crazy enough to do it... and Douglas deserves every ounce of it.

HORSE TRACKS

In other news from Sunday's tilt with the Titans, the Broncos lost. Here are some recaps.

Siemian Says: Trevor battles through injury in painful loss | Denver Broncos

Three Keys Unlocked: Titans 13, Broncos 10 | Denver Broncos

Five Key Moments: Titans 13, Broncos 10 | Denver Broncos

Broncos' playoff hopes bruised by loss to Titans - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN

Titans hold on late to beat Broncos 13-10 | ProFootballTalk

Want to read more on the dirtiest hit you'll likely see all year?

In wake of low hit on Chris Harris Jr., Broncos stand up for their teammate | Denver Broncos

Dirty plays hang over a disappointing loss in Tennessee - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com

Terrible cheap shot on CB Chris Harris leads to Broncos-Titans fight involving Aqib Talib | Yahoo!

Broncos' Chris Harris: Harry Douglas tried to 'end my career' | USA Today

Good news for all you Dan Reeves fans out there. Reeves is no longer the losing-est coach in NFL history. The Rams' Jeff Fisher tied him on Sunday with their disappointing loss to the Falcons. While Reeves may have lost a great many games, the Broncos ring-of-famer also won four conference championships... Something Jeff Fisher will never do no matter how many merit-less contract extensions you give him.  Jeff Fisher matches Dan Reeves with most career losses | ProFootballTalk

So, yeah, the Rams lost. Rams hit rock bottom in blowout loss to Falcons | ProFootballTalk

Despite Miami's victory over the Cardinals, the Broncos own the tie-breaker to hold onto the 6th seed going into Monday morning. However, Miami's road the the playoffs just got a little tougher. Ryan Tannehill's injury looms large over Miami Dolphins' playoff hopes | ESPN

That said, the Ravens and Patriots Monday Night Football game is of huge importance to the Broncos. As gross as it sounds, the Broncos need the Patriots to win to hold off the Ravens advances on the 6th seed. Should the Ravens win on Monday night, they would bump the Broncos out of the wild card. Guregian: Plenty of subplots to Pats-Ravens grudge match | Boston Herald

Rex Ryan's heart is going to skip a beat every time his phone rings this week. Rex Ryan in jeopardy of losing his job as soon as this week, as is Tyrod Taylor - CBSSports.com

What's going to happen with the Chargers this offseason? Chargers future even more cloudy following latest loss | FOX Sports

The man who ran Harbaugh out of San Francisco looks like he'll finally pay the price for his destructive hubris. GM Trent Baalke likely done with 49ers; Chip Kelly's fate up to next GM - CBSSports.com

My fantasy playoffs ended as quickly as they began thanks to Le'Veon Bell's day on Sunday. Le'Veon Bell shattered multiple records in historic game vs. Bills | FOX Sports

Poor Drew Brees. Drew Brees, offense fail New Orleans Saints for again in loss to Bucs | ESPN

Poor Seahawks. It looks like the Packers suddenly remembered how to play football. No better time than late in the season. MVP candidate Rodgers, Packers dismantle Seahawks - NFL.com

Every now and then Bengals' Adam Jones lets his inner Pac-Man show. Cincinnati Bengals' Adam Jones uses trash can to rate Cleveland Browns' Terrelle Pryor's play | ESPN

Matt Stafford got dinged up. Stafford says finger affected him but will get better | ProFootballTalk

The Giants brought the soaring Cowboys back to Earth. Dak Prescott started believing his own hype in Cowboys' Sunday night disaster | FOX Sports

Just when you though all that deflate-gate stuff was behind us... The Giants told the NFL that the Steelers deflated footballs in Week 13 | FOX Sports

Want to see the playoff picture? Sigh... Go Patriots?! It just doesn't sound right. NFL Playoff Picture updates: Cowboys fans might be starting to get worried - CBSSports.com

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