The best way to explain what occurred on Twitter Thursday is just to roll that clip from 2004’s “Anchorman,” when Ron Burgundy sips a beer and reflects after a beautifully nonsensical brawl with his rival news crews.

“That escalated quickly,” Burgundy remarks. “I mean, that really got out of hand fast.”

Let’s recap for anyone not terminally online. On Wednesday, Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper uttered some eyebrow-raising remarks on Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart: “He’s feelin’ himself a little bit.” Perhaps they were complimentary remarks. Perhaps not. Either way, Cooper quickly became one of the most disliked men in New Jersey, which is saying something.

After Cooper’s remarks went viral around Giants Twitter, Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto tweeted — and quickly deleted — a message that he’d “never seen such a delusional fan base.” Giants rookie OLB Abdul Carter then quote-tweeted Cooper’s remarks on Dart with a message to “put ya 3D glasses on.” Fellow New York pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux blasted out a couple of cryptic GIFs. Cooper later posted a sunglasses-wearing emoji.

The winner of the great Oct. 16 Edge Rusher Broncos-Giants Twitter War is unclear.

The folks at the unfortunate mercy of such shenanigans, however, might just be Dart and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. And their offensive lines.

These are two of the most fearsome pass-rush units in the NFL, with a bit of extra gamesmanship now under their belts. Giants head coach Brian Daboll complimented Bonitto as an “unbelievable pass-rusher” this week. Cooper has been special in his own right, coming off an AFC Defensive Player of the Week nod. New York, though, has a nasty triumvirate in Carter, Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, the last of whom is having an early career year with seven sacks.

“They got like four werewolves in there,” Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Thursday. “So, yeah, it’s going to be a challenge.”

It’ll be even more of a challenge with a depleted offensive line, as Denver will start its third straight left guard in three weeks. Starter Ben Powers is on injured reserve. So is backup Matt Peart. The Broncos appear to be turning to Alex Palczewski, the fanbase’s jumbo-tight-end hero, who held up adequately filling in for Mike McGlinchey for a few games at right tackle last year.

Denver has one of the best pass-blocking units in the NFL around him, but New York’s been nearly unstoppable in affecting the pocket when Carter, Thibodeaux and Burns are on the field together: a 46% pressure rate in such situations, according to Next Gen Stats.

The Giants’ ability to keep the Dart-Cam Skattebo good vibes rolling, meanwhile, will depend largely on the success of their tackles. Andrew Thomas may be the best pass-blocker Bonitto or Cooper has faced yet, leading all tackles in pressure rate allowed (1.2%) this season, according to Next Gen Stats. Dart, as electric as he’s been through a few starts, has struggled mightily when throwing under pressure: just 12 of 29 with a 42.2 quarterback rating.

This is a mano-a-mano matchup of two of the best pass-rush units in the league. And the gamesmanship’s already flowing.