The Broncos and Raiders are two frustrated teams in the midst of unexpectedly poor seasons. Early in their game Sunday, emotions boiled over.

https://twitter.com/dkurtenbach/status/934899292304588801

On the play before the brawl, Broncos corner Chris Harris Jr. seemed to complain to referees that Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree had punched him. Harris was injured on the play and as he walked off the field with trainers he turned back to complain to the ref, swinging his arm up in an uppercut-like motion. No video evidence of a punch has been brought forward.

On the next play, a short run by Marshawn Lynch, Broncos’ cornerback Aqib Talib and Crabtree engaged and after some shoving, the Pro Bowl cornerback reached in and once again ripped off the receiver’s chain. Talib broke one of Crabtree’s chains last season as well.

Crabtree was still engaged with Talib at the time and continued to pull him onto the Broncos sideline and eventually drove him to the ground. A host of Broncos came to Talib’s defense, despite the fact that Talib had managed to work his way on top of Crabtree. At this point, Raiders’ offense lineman Gabe Jackson ran to help Crabtree, knocking over a ref on the way. He was ejected.

As refs struggled to pull the players off of each other, Talib and Crabtree escaped back to the field where haymakers were thrown. Both players were ejected and assessed offsetting 15-yard penalties.

Rookie cornerback Brendan Langley, who replaced Talib after his ejection, allowed a 9-yard touchdown to Amari Cooper in the second quarter.