Broncos vs. Bills: 4 Things We Learned in Denver's 40-14 Loss

The Denver Broncos traveled to Buffalo for a game against the Buffalo Bills, but seemed to leave their defense, offense and special teams behind in Denver.

A fatal combination of turnovers and poor special teams play doomed Denver and gave a team that was winless in their last seven attempts a big home win for their fans.

Denver is most likely going to need a victory against the division rival Kansas City Chiefs in the final game of the season to win the west and have only themselves to blame for that.

Here are four things we learned about Denver in the crushing loss to Buffalo.

Special Teams Lack Speed

Leodis McKelvin made the Broncos look like they were standing still on more than one occasion in the game today.

Not only did the Broncos look like they were in slow motion defending returns, but their lack of speed caused too many crippling penalties for blocking in the back on their own returns. One of those penalties cost Denver their own game-changing play by Eddie Royal.

Denver needs to lock down on special teams if they plan on winning the division.

Denver Lost the Rushing Duel

Denver got off to the usual start rushing the ball that many thought they would, but somewhere along the line the Buffalo Bills decided to join in on the rushing parade.

Even Ryan FItzpatrick did his best Tebow impression by scrambling for a few key first downs as the Buffalo rushing attack made the Denver defense look foolish most of the day.

Even though the Bills were outrushing the Broncos, it still seemed like Denver pulled the plug on the running game far too soon. In the end, going to the air cost them a chance at the game. 

The Second Quarter Curse Is Real

How else can it be explained except that a curse has been put on the Broncos and it takes effect in the second quarter?

The Broncos ran all over Buffalo in the first, and fate seemed to be on Denver's side as Buffalo's Dave Rayner missed two chip-shot field goals to help protect the Broncos lead.

As soon as the scoreboard read "2nd QTR" though the Broncos wilted in the Buffalo cold and the rout was on for Buffalo.

There was a brief glimmer of hope coming out of halftime, but it proved to be a mirage brought on by hypothermia in upstate New York.

Denver needs to find a way to remove the second quarter hex from their mind come New Year's Day. 

Could Have Been 19-14 in the 4th

Even as poor as the Broncos looked today, aside from the return touchdown and the two interceptions returned for touchdowns, the Broncos could have been down by five points in the fourth quarter.

Of course "could have" is the song sung by many losing teams, but it bears repeating that Denver did more to lose this game than Buffalo did to win it.

It doesn't turn a loss into a victory, but it should reaffirm to Broncos fans that if Denver can just keep from killing themselves, they are talented enough to win the AFC West.