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Playing games that mean something in December is certainly a nice bonus for long-suffering Bills fans, but the reality is this: What do these games really mean?

The Bills proved once again with Sunday's 24-17 loss to Denver that they aren't ready to win against the type of teams they need to beat if they want to claim they are in the playoff hunt.

Peyton Manning had his worst game of the year, and one of his worst in several years, yet he still built a 24-3 lead before the Bills finally began making headway against a Denver defense that was sitting back in prevent nearly the entire fourth quarter.

The Bills are now 3-6 in games against teams that currently have winning records; two of the victories are against fellow 7-6 playoff pretenders Miami and Cleveland, and the other was a lucky win over 9-4 Detroit in a game where the Lions' now ex-kicker missed three field goals.

Against the five best teams they've played (New England, Denver, San Diego, Detroit, and Kansas City), the Bills are 1-4. Upon Further Review, that's just not good enough.

Three things I liked

1. Corey Graham. This guy has consistently been Buffalo's highest-graded defensive back all season according to Nothing changed after Sunday as Graham picked off a deep ball by Peyton Manning (too bad his 60-yard return was sliced by 40 yards due to a penalty), and he recovered a fumble in the red zone that took Denver points off the board. Locking up Manning the way they did, the defense deserved a better fate — a common refrain this season.

2. The screen game. Many have been screaming for the Bills to utilize this somewhat simple offensive concept. The problem is that the offensive line isn't very athletic, and getting out in front on these plays can be a problem. But lately the Bills have tried, and against the Broncos, they used a bunch of screens. In fact, maybe too many as Fred Jackson didn't have much success despite a total of 10 receptions. C.J. Spiller is the ideal back for this, but he's not available, and frankly, he's never been utilized that way by this coaching staff.

3. The Bills' attitude. This team drives all of us nuts far too often, but one thing that can't be questioned is its heart and desire. These guys never quit the way some NFL teams have been known to do. Granted, they're pros and praising them for their never-say-die attitude seems silly because when you're paid as well as they are, it's your job to play hard to the final gun. Still, it's good that's not a problem with this team. Down 24-3, they kept coming in the fourth quarter, and they got the game to the point where a recovered onside kick would have given them a chance to tie. That can't be overlooked.

Three things I didn't like

1. The Kyle Orton give-up slide. What was the 10-year veteran thinking? Early second quarter, Bills down 7-0, third-and-1 at the Denver 25, and Orton set up in the shotgun, which made no sense. Running, or at least giving the illusion of the run, wasn't an option? Anyway, Orton rolled to his right, found no one open, and started to run. Steven Johnson and Terrance Knightson closed in, and rather than throw the ball away, Orton slid down a yard behind the line of scrimmage to avoid getting lit up. On fourth-and-2 the Bills settled for a field goal. "Yeah, a poor decision," Orton said. "I should have thrown the ball away and maybe we would have had a shot to go for it." Yes, I concur.

2. Ignoring Robert Woods. This didn't make much sense, either. Orton attempted a club record 57 passes, and only four were thrown toward Woods, who caught three for 36 yards during his 67 snaps of mostly inaction. While Sammy Watkins was basically taking the month of November off, Woods was the go-to guy with 21 catches for 256 yards and a TD. It was baffling that Orton couldn't find a way to get him more involved, rather than throw a combined 30 passes toward backs and tight ends — none of whom can make plays like Woods can. Orton found a way to throw 21 balls combined at Watkins and Chris Hogan, but where was Woods?

3. Jerry Hughes' temper. The defensive end has had a great year, but his propensity for taking dumb penalties is alarming. He incurred his third 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty this season in the second quarter when he argued a questionable pass interference call against cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Hughes spent the rest of the first half on the sidelines, and he played only 31 snaps in the game, though Doug Marrone claimed it wasn't because of discipline. Sure Doug, we believe that one. Hughes has now been flagged a team-high 12 times for 79 yards, and four other penalties against him were declined or offset.

Stat pack

6 — Games in his NFL career when Peyton Manning threw more than one interception without throwing a TD pass. Also, only twice before has he had a game in which he converted as few as three first downs via passing. In the other two, he had two passing first downs in each of the 2004 and 2005 season finales when he was pulled in the first quarter of meaningless games.

25 — Straight games the Bills' defense had recorded at least one sack, a streak that was snapped by the Broncos.

105 — Pass receptions by Wes Welker, the most of any player against the Bills. His 1,191 career yards against the Bills are the fourth-highest total.

Looking ahead

The Bills' so-called season-ending gauntlet did not get off to a good start in Denver, and it doesn't get any easier Sunday. In fact, it may be even more difficult, even though they'll be playing their final home game of the year.

The visitors will be Green Bay, and it would be hard to imagine Aaron Rodgers having as lackluster a performance as Manning did against the Bills. Rodgers is the frontrunner for league MVP, and many NFL observers believe he's the best QB in the game, ahead of Manning and Tom Brady.

At 7-6, the Bills have no room for error, now. They have to win out, and get some help from around the AFC in order to make the playoffs. The Rocky Mountains I gazed at this weekend in Denver seem easier to scale than that.