Long before the Carolina Panthers defeated the New England Patriots 24-20 on a controversial call by the referees in the fourth quarter on Monday Night Football, sparks were flying between Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith and Patriots quarterback Aqib Talib.
Smith and Talib squabbled from the opening drive of the game and there was still plenty of bad blood boiling postgame. Talib celebrated wildly after securing the first pass breakup of the game on a ball that was intended for Smith. On the following Carolina drive, Talib tackled Smith and held onto his leg until well after the whistle, leading to the two of them tussling as Smith was angered by Talib hanging onto him after the play was blown dead.
Smith ended up with four receptions for 62 yards including a 42-yard catch early on in the game to bring his season total to 46 catches for 512 yards to go along with three scores. Talib eventually left the game in the fourth quarter after aggravating his hip injury, and he has four interceptions and 17 tackles so far this season for New England.
Smith, who was clearly agitated by Talib following the game, seemed to make fun of his injury and inability to finish the game as he said that Talib should just "ice up" after leaving the game.
"I don't know, you go ask him, 'cause he didn't finish the game," Smith told NFL.com when asked about his issues with Talib. "Ice up, son, ice up."
Talib was asked by reporters if he had anything to say after the game about the scrap he had with Smith.
"Hell no," Talib said per NFL.com. "Ain't nothing to talk about."
Carolina hung on for a win despite the referees throwing a flag for defensive holding against the Panthers on the game-ending play. After the officials conferenced to talk about the play, they decided to pick up the flag and the game was over with a Carolina victory.
Carolina improved to 7-3 with the win while New England fell to 7-3. The Panthers take on the Dolphins (5-5) in Miami in Week 12 while the Patriots host the Denver Broncos (9-1)
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