Tensions are rising in Broncos Country, and the players aren’t backing down.

On Sunday, Emmanuel Sanders was held in check, hauling in just three receptions for 48 yards in the Broncos’ 16-3 defeat. Some credited the Patriots’ Malcolm Butler for shutting Sanders down, but he wasn’t having any of that.

That may be true, but the New England Patriots certainly shut down the Denver Broncos offense, from top to bottom.

At this point, the Broncos might want to stop pointing fingers and putting up shields and start addressing the real problems. It’s officially mission critical in Denver.