Dissecting Most Crucial Matchups in Broncos' Week 14 Contest with Buffalo Bills

After developing a balanced offense with a running game that has been dominant over the course of the last two games, the Denver Broncos once again look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

After their loss to the New England Patriots in Week 9, some of that hope was lost.

In Week 14, the Buffalo Bills will come to town to take on Peyton Manning and company. At 7-5, the Bills are right in the middle of the AFC playoff picture.

Knowing a loss will damage their postseason hopes, the Bills will be ready to throw everything at the Broncos. Just because John Fox's men look like the far superior team on paper does not mean they should take this team lightly.

Head coach Doug Marrone has the Bills moving in the right direction, and with a strong defense and offensive weapons that include Sammy Watkins and Fred Jackson, Buffalo is a team that the Broncos need to be fully prepared for.

With that said, here are three crucial matchups that could easily dictate the result of this game.

Will Montgomery, Orlando Franklin and Manny Ramirez vs. Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams

The Denver running game has amassed 415 yards in the last two contests, largely due to the play of C.J. Anderson. However, Anderson has to have the offensive line moving defenders around to help get him those yards.

That's exactly what the Denver offensive line has done.

Against Buffalo, running the ball will be a challenge. The Bills currently rank No. 7 in the league in defending the run, giving up just 96.3 yards per game.

Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams make up one of the best combinations at the defensive tackle position that the league has to offer.

Both Dareus and Williams are able to get penetration into the backfield and make tackles for losses. They have also combined for 15 sacks, showing just how often they beat the interior of the offensive line to wreak havoc.

Though the Broncos have found a lot of success since moving Manny Ramirez to guard, Louis Vasquez to tackle and putting Will Montgomery at center, they will have their hands full with the interior of the Buffalo defensive line.

If the Broncos want to keep their rejuvenated rushing attack on the right track, they'll need to have a specific game plan for Williams and Dareus.

Demaryius Thomas vs. Stephon Gilmore

Denver wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is putting together perhaps his best season as a pro, already catching 88 passes for 1,255 yards and 10 touchdowns in just 13 games.

Being the playmaker that he is, Thomas will always be on the radar of Peyton Manning.

The Bills will likely counter with their 2012 first-round pick, Stephon Gilmore.

"

Broncos WR @DemaryiusT now has 10 receiving TDs this year and becomes the 1st player in team history w/3 consecutive 10-TD catch seasons.

— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 1, 2014"

If the Bills want to have any chance to win this game, Gilmore will have to slow Thomas down.

That may be a little easier for him to do after Thomas hurt his ankle in practice Wednesday, as reported by Andrew Mason of the team's official website.

Thomas has gotten the best of most one-on-one matchups this season, including a big game against the Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson and an 11-catch performance against the New England Patriots.

That doesn't bode well for Gilmore.

If Thomas is at 100 percent for this game, expect him to have his way with the young defensive back.

Denver Pass Rush vs. Kyle Orton

Buffalo will have to do what it can to keep pace in this matchup. Falling behind by multiple scores could be disastrous, as that's when the Broncos like to turn up the heat with the pass rush.

Though Kyle Orton will likely be eager to beat his former team, he isn't the most mobile quarterback. As a result, he could struggle against the likes of Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Malik Jackson.

The Bills have allowed 28 sacks on the season. Denver was able to get after guys like Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith after opening up a big lead, and both of them are much harder to bring down than Orton.

"

@ChrisTrapasso Agreed. And boy, did Denver pass rush dominate that game last night. Exactly what Bills cannot allow to happen on Sunday.

— Buffalo Sports Guy (@716SportsGuy) December 1, 2014"

The Bills will have to win ugly, keeping the score close. If they fall behind, expect defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to come after Orton with a ferocious, blitz-happy pass rush.