A Lombardi Trophy doesn't have to be on the line for there to be bad blood between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.
The Thursday night preseason opener for both teams featured physical play, gobs of penalties and one end-zone scuffle that led to an ejection. The Broncos won, 21-16.
Seahawks cornerback Tharold Simon was disqualified after striking Broncos tight end Gerell Robinson in the helmet following a third-quarter touchdown run by Kapri Bibbs. Broncos and Seahawks players jawed at each other after the score, but the flags flew when Simon made contact with Robinson. The Seahawks were penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Peyton Manning played in two series and was business as usual, completing 10-of-13 passes for 78 yards. Russell Wilson also led a touchdown drive, aided by five Broncos penalties. The teams combined for 25 penalties for 226 yards. It was a grim, extended affair lengthened by a lightning delay in the first quarter.
The Broncos lost another running back in the game when backup C.J. Anderson suffered a concussion. Rookie Juwan Thompson was a bright spot. Denver is already missing Montee Ball, who is out the rest of training camp after an emergency appendectomy.
Both teams escaped the game without serious injuries to a starter.
The latest Around The League Podcast answers every question about preseason action that you were too afraid to ask.