Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton had some choice words for the Tennessee Titans' defense following the Broncos' 26-20 win on Sunday, telling the team's official site that the Titans played a "cheap" game.
"For the most part, we were the tougher team today," Orton said. "You always hear about how tough they are, and all that stuff. I don't think they're tough, I think they're cheap. And it was one of the cheapest games that I've ever seen out of some of those players."
The Titans held the Broncos to 19 yards rushing, forcing Orton to put the ball up 50 times, even as he was sacked six times. Orton, who responded by throwing for 341 yards and two touchdowns, was especially critical of Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who sacked Orton in the first quarter of Sunday's game.
"When we've got Chris Kuper with his helmet off, getting punched, it's ridiculous. If that's the type of player Cortland Finnegan wants to be, well then he's a cheap player, he's not a good player."
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels appears to agree that the Titans were out of line.
"After watching the film, I'd say (Orton's comments) were accurate," McDaniels told *The Denver Post* on Monday. "Our guys did a great job of keeping our poise and composure and not getting into an unsportsmanlike conduct type of game ... There's a way to play tough and physical without being dirty."
The league fined Finnegan $5,000 on Friday for throwing New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith to the ground by his helmet in the Titans' 29-10 win on Sept. 26.
Finnegan, a former Pro Bowler in his fifth NFL season, has 24 total tackles and a sack this season.
Orton is off to the best start of his six-year NFL career with 1,419 yards passing and six touchdowns.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
