The Buffalo Bills played the role of Christmas Grinch to perfection by denying the Denver Broncos a chance to clinch an NFL playoff spot with a 40-14 win, halting their own seven-game losing streak.
Already guaranteed to miss the post-season for a 12th straight year, the Bills (6-9) spotted the Broncos (8-7) an early touchdown then rallied behind touchdowns from C.J. Spiller and Leodis McKelvin and four field goals from Dave Rayner to send the smallest home crowd in a decade (45,112) off for the holidays happy.
Denver had arrived in Buffalo with a one-game lead at the top of the AFC West division in position to claim the division crown and their first playoff appearance since 2005 with a win and an Oakland Raiders loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, the division crown will now be decided on the final day of the regular season with the Broncos hosting the Chiefs and the Raiders at home against the San Diego Chargers.
