Steve Smith and Aqib Talib spent a good portion of the evening locking arms and dancing the dance of people who hate each other. Twice in one drive the two had to be separated, the first coming on a first down conversion where Talib wouldn't let go of Smith's leg. The two tumbled to the ground and the Patriots were assessed a 15-yard penalty for the play. Later, down at the goal line, referees had to step in between a healthy shoving match.


Talib, dealing with a hip injury, was playing for the first time in three weeks and Smith didn't go easy on him. Following the game the colorfully shit-talking Smith took his parting shot, telling Talib to "ice up, son" since he hadn't finished the game.


[NFLN]