In a snowstorm during the morning-after hangover, a guy in Times Square brashly demanded, “What happened to your Broncos?” In a restaurant in foggy Bradenton, Fla., the next night, a young waiter implored, “Why did what happened to the Broncos happen?” The following Sunday, 38,000 feet over Oklahoma, a fellow traveler abruptly said, “Do you know what happened to the Broncos?” On a 16th Street Mall bus two days ago, a man raised the question, “What exactly happened to our Broncos?”

After a respite, this is my answer:

Schedule. The Broncos had an easy schedule and didn’t play the top five teams in the NFC. (They beat four mediocre NFC East teams.) The exhibition blowout in Seattle should have been a disturbing sign.

Injuries. The offense and the defense were severely weakened by season-ending injuries to Ryan Clady, Rahim Moore, Chris Harris and Kevin Vickerson; Von Miller’s suspension, weight gain and injury; Derek Wolfe’s mysterious illness; Champ Bailey’s injury and aging; and the ineffectiveness of Wes Welker and Wesley Woodyard after their comebacks from injuries. That’s nine starters either lost or ineffective.

Turnovers. The Seahawks led the league with a giveaway-takeaway margin of plus-20. The Broncos were at even. In the Super Bowl the Broncos had four turnovers to none for Seattle.

Crowd noise. Although the Broncos and the Seahawks each received 13,500 tickets, and the stadium attendance (82,529) appeared evenly divided between fans of the two teams, there was a 12th man the Broncos hadn’t anticipated. Broncos coach John Fox, expecting a “neutral crowd,” didn’t turn up the volume at practices. The Seahawks’ fans roared. The Broncos started with a voice cadence instead of a silent count, which resulted in a safety on the first play from scrimmage. The Broncos hadn’t prepared to be the road team. The disadvantage was significant.

Coin toss. For the majority of the season, the Broncos started games on defense by winning the toss and deferring, or losing the toss and the opposing team electing to receive. The Broncos usually would stop the opposition on the first drive and score at the end of the half and at the beginning of the third quarter. The Seahawks won and put the Broncos on offense. The first play was a disaster and the Broncos didn’t get off a real play until 10:30 remained in the opening quarter. Seattle scored near the end of the first half on an interception, and on a kickoff return to start the second half. Game over.

Poker tells. The Seahawks’ defense figured out Peyton Manning’s audible calls and hand signals, knowing where receivers would go and whom Manning would throw to. The Broncos didn’t uncover any Seahawks secrets.

O-line, oh, no. The Broncos’ No. 1-ranked offensive line stunk. Seattle’s defensive ends turned Orlando Franklin and Chris Clark into chew toys. Manning was sacked only once, but he was under intense pressure throughout; the pocket was squeezed, he threw early, and his arm was hit by Cliff Avril on the second interception.

D-linear. The Broncos’ defensive line didn’t sack or touch Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. When Wilson felt any pressure, he simply ran to the outside.

Broncos’ defense. Blown coverages, missed tackles, poor recognition, no passion.

Seahawks’ defense. Near perfect in anticipation and scheme changes, Seattle had seven defenders blanketing five receivers. It didn’t need to blitz to pressure Manning. The single deep ball from Manning to Demaryius Thomas was open, but overthrown. The Seahawks were in sync, and fervent.

Coordinators. Adam Gase, Jack Del Rio and Jeff Rodgers did not distinguish themselves with creative plans, or adjustments, and were completely outcoached.

Fox trot. Fox’s strategy before and during the game was an undeniable disaster. He didn’t earn his $1 million victory bonus, or confidence that he can win a Super Bowl.

Manning meltdown. Peyton played his worst game in his two seasons as a Bronco.

What happened to the Broncos? Seattle and stuff happened. C’est la vie.

Woody Paige: woody@woodypaige.com or twitter.com/woodypaige