Over the years, I've come to believe that anytime the media spends a full week leading up to a Broncos game talking about how a loss to a certain opponent would be virtually impossible, Denver is damned likely to come up short.
That's what happened yesterday, when the Broncos' undefeated season came to an end when the under-performing Indianapolis Colts bested the D-town squad 27-24.
But another weak performance by Peyton Manning and an unexpectedly porous defense are getting less attention than would be the case otherwise thanks to cornerback Aqib Talib's bizarre decision to poke a Colts player in the eye as time was running out. all but eliminating any chance for Denver to make a last-chance comeback bid. (Another penalty afterward sealed the deal.)
Twitter exploded with Talib insults and jokes, with references aplenty to the Three Stooges and The Waterboy.
Check out our picks for the twenty most memorable below, interspersed with images from the game.
Number 20:
@nflcommish Suspend this Clown! Talib kills Broncos' chances to defeat Colts with ridiculous eye-gouge https://t.co/pmpu6FjdGH @YahooSports
— J.B. Junior (@JBJunior824) November 9, 2015
Number 19:
Come on .. Broncos Aqib Talib poked a Colts player in the eye, then says he doesn't remember it. The refs sure did. :P
#nfl #football #colts
— Michael Manges (@michael_manges) November 9, 2015
Number 18:
Aqib Talib went strait #Waterboy tonight in the #Broncos loss to the #Colts. #Capta... (Vine by @hunrharrison) https://t.co/HvwWSz09Kw
— Phillipmefferd (@Drphil119133) November 9, 2015
Number 17:
Yep, dirty and dumb #Talib. https://t.co/HZCprnUrgx
— Heather Dowling (@PrettyPigskin) November 9, 2015
Number 16:
What the fuck you thinking Talib poking a guy in the eye after the play against a team that is 3-5. Captain insano knows no mercy. #Broncos
— JamesPlace (@James_Plac3) November 9, 2015
Number 15:
Hey @Broncos have a chat with Talib about poking someone in the eye. My nephews are not even teens and know not to do that.
— Sara Stacy (@sarastacy) November 9, 2015
Number 14:
HE IS TOXIC! DUMP HIM! Aqib Talib kills Broncos' chances to defeat Colts with ridiculous eye-gouge https://t.co/bhBYU8cDrB via @YahooSports
— Mark MacRae (@markmacrae1) November 9, 2015
Number 13:
#Talib #denverbroncos #BroncoCountry #DENvsIND #broncos #broncosvscolts #eyepoke #poke #poker pic.twitter.com/ZBdXrqh3fz
— Brandon Carrillo (@bqcarrillo) November 9, 2015
Number 12:
#Talib #Broncos #bruhhhhhhhhhh pic.twitter.com/frk1qjIDqh
— Kim (@thatkimgirl) November 9, 2015
Number 11:
#Talib #DENvsIND #eyepoke #nfl #broncos pic.twitter.com/iouAVtaVqU
— Brandon Carrillo (@bqcarrillo) November 9, 2015
Number 10:
@AdamSandler should be proud of Talib tonite at the broncos game
— Jordan Wilson (@JordanWilson21) November 9, 2015
Number 9:
Thanks for killing the Broncos undefeated season Talib!
— kyle malone (@KyleTMalone) November 9, 2015
Number 8:
I hope Talib knows that when he poked that guy in the eye, he was poking my heart as well @Broncos
— Dean (@terrydean13) November 9, 2015
Number 7:
Thanks for that Talib...nyuck nyuck nyuck @nfl @broncos #fine #teamdiscipline #BushLeague pic.twitter.com/joapV7Q8rw
— Brian Haire (@wigglesss5150) November 9, 2015
Number 6:
Aqib Talib and the #Broncos be like...#DENvsIND pic.twitter.com/e5bO8pMRbO
— Xombie (@Xombie_NYC) November 9, 2015
Number 5:
@RoFloESPN I just saw the Talib eye poke.. why didn't espn report the Broncos latest signing ? #ShowNoMercy pic.twitter.com/8NGHsJYloW
— Keyston Beamon (@UCan_APE_MeNow) November 9, 2015
Number 4:
Talib of the Denver Broncos should be suspended for a game by the team. As a Denver fan I do not wish to be represented in this way.
— Kyle Borger (@borgerkyle) November 9, 2015
Number 3:
seriously, wtf was that talib... that is not broncos football. poking someone in the eye and going on crazy rant? hope you get huge fine.
— chinkshady (@chinkshady) November 9, 2015
Number 2:
Talib is a bum, thinks about himself before the team. That is why he does not have a ring. #Patriots #Broncos #NFL
— Jordan Thompson (@Jordant89) November 9, 2015
Number 1:
#Talib #DENvsIND #eyepoke #nfl #broncos #BroncoCountry pic.twitter.com/fo8RMkDQB6
— Brandon Carrillo (@bqcarrillo) November 9, 2015
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