The AFC West showdown featuring the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos was expected to be intense given the animosity between these two teams. Needless to say, it did not take long for the tensions to boil over between wide receiver Michael Crabtree and cornerback Aqib Talib.

The two engaged in a series of fisticuffs which then incited an all-out brawl between both teams less than four minutes into the first quarter. As a result, both players have been slapped with two-game suspensions, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport:

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter has since reported that both Crabtree and Talib will appeal their suspensions:

Looking at the replay, it is difficult to see either win their appeals. Crabtree certainly started the scrum after he drove the Broncos cornerback out of bounds and into the ground. However, Talib later retaliated with a left straight to the Raiders receiver's head after the dust had seemingly settled.

It was later discovered that Talib also managed to snatch Crabtree's chain once again despite the latter taking the necessary precautions before the game in order to prevent it him from doing so. For those unaware, the Raiders receiver literally taped the chain to his body.

The two were quickly ejected and it remains to be seen how their appeal plays out. It should go without saying, their suspension could not have come at a worse time for their perspective teams with the current gridlock taking place in the AFC West.