EXCELLENT point by Max997. There were critical minutes (from minute 10 or so to minute 4 or so) in the 2nd quarter where the momentum, field position, and future play calling were all still hanging in the balance in this game. Denver was held to three straight 3 and outs on Offense during the same time that SD's offense was being held scoreless and game was tied 10-10. If, instead, Denver had scored in 2 of those 3 drives, it would have forced SD's hand a bit more on offense perhaps. SD's defense had as much to do with that win as the running game/controlling the clock.
Watching that game I kept thinking how FAR the Bills are from beating a team like the Broncos - 1. we would never be able to keep Denver from scoring 3 straight drives, let alone three 3 and outs in a row!; 2. we just can't convert on 3rd down as effectively as SD's offense was able to..our offense would have sputtered numerous times giving Den great field position. SD put themselves in a superb position to win that game in the 2nd quarter; we would have lost that game in the second quarter.