DENVER -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Buffalo Bills' 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos:

If u don't like physicality go ref a basketball or tennis game. I don't care #nfl #refs — NickellRobey (@NickellRobey_37) December 8, 2014

No excuse for my performance but can't win playing 16 vs 11 thought I seen it all Smh https://t.co/CrfVO2YxA6 — Aaron Williams (@ajwilliams23) December 8, 2014

Officials the hot topic: I spoke to some players after the game who declined to talk about the officials, either opting to keep their opinions to themselves or not wanting to have questionable calls overshadow the other problems in the rest of the game. However, other players were open about what they saw as tough breaks during the game. "It definitely felt like it was about 16 on 11," running back Anthony Dixon said. "But we can't make that an excuse. We did some things that we shouldn't have did. We can't be selfish like that. There were a couple selfish penalties by a couple of guys. We got to cut that out."

Gilmore gets conflicting messages: Perhaps the most debatable call of the game came in the second quarter, when cornerback Stephon Gilmore lowered his shoulder into Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders to break up a pass. He was flagged for defensive pass interference on the play. "He said I hit him early, but I don't think I hit him early," Gilmore said. "One of the refs said it looked good to him but another ref said, the one that called it, said it wasn't good. So it is what it is."

Robey confused by call: Another flag that will draw scrutiny came in the first quarter, when cornerback Nickell Robey was flagged for illegal contact in the red zone. From my view in the press box, it appeared Aaron Williams might have gotten tied up with receiver Demaryius Thomas and perhaps that's what the officials meant to call. Robey didn't think he committed a foul. "They didn't even explain it," he said. "I think it was a good play. I don't know where the contact came in at. I thought I hit him within the five-yard range. I didn't make that much contact. ...I didn't even think the flag was on me. I thought it was on somebody else."

The second-year cornerback didn't hold back when asked about the frustration of the Bills' 11 penalties in the game, totaling 98 yards. "Very frustrating," Robey said. "We understand that it's Denver. We understand that they are the AFC champions and all that other stuff. But at the end of the day, you have to call the game how it's supposed to be called. Some things just could have gone our way but they didn't. But I guess that's what happens when you're in someone else's territory."