Well? What did you expect? It’s all your fault for having expectations.

...and the Denver Broncos lose their seventh game in a row, falling to the Oakland Raiders, 14-21. That’s right, the Broncos haven’t won a game since October 1st. It’s damn near December! Who will I rake over the coals this week? The coaches? The players? Elway? Nope! None of them.

This week is different. I’m not filled with the rage and irritation that have greeted you most Monday mornings this year. Nope. Now, I’m just sad.

You may have seen Scotty Payne’s #embracethetank movement and I’ve playfully joked around with it. It’s easy to make light of a hashtag when you can emotionally detach yourself from the reality of how bad your football team is. Surely they can’t be that bad. I mean, they have to beat someone sometime, right? RIGHT? Maybe not.

Sunday’s loss against the Oakland Raiders was made me realize it’s not really about coming to terms with the Broncos tanking the season to get a high draft pick. What hurts is that this is really who the Broncos are. Snakes don’t run marathons, cats don’t competitively swim, and, folks, the 2017 Denver Broncos don’t win football games.

It’s not about embracing anything. It’s about reconciling the Broncos storied history of success with the fact that we suddenly can’t catch, throw, block, evade, return, intercept, turn-over, or tackle. Punting... We can do that great and we do it a ton.

The Broncos have all of twenty quarters of football left. It will, more likely than not, be some of the worst football this generation of Broncos fans have ever witnessed. Embrace the tank? More like accept who the Broncos are. The sooner we do, the sooner we can turn the page on this nightmare of a season.

HORSE TRACKS

Cover 4: Broncos fall 21-14 to Raiders in Oakland
These are the four pieces of information you need to know following the Broncos' loss.

Why it happened: Raiders 21, Broncos 14
The Broncos fell on the road to the Raiders 21-14.

Paxton Lynch, Derek Wolfe, Domata Peko Sr. to undergo MRIs on Monday
The three Broncos suffered game-ending injuries vs. the Raiders.

Paxton Lynch of Denver Broncos limps off with right ankle injury
Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch left Sunday's game against Oakland after hurting his right ankle while rolling out on a pass in the third quarter.

Paxton Lynch, wearing a boot on right ankle, hopes to return next week – ProFootballTalk
Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch wore a boot on his right ankle, which he injured in the second half of Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Raiders. He will undergo further medical testing Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

Aqib Talib rips off Michael Crabtree's chain again, both players ejected after fight - CBSSports.com
The Raiders' Michael Crabtree and the Broncos' Aqib Talib have a history of not liking each other

Paxton Lynch's awful season debut for Broncos ends with injury, sideline tears - CBSSports.com
The Broncos' quarterback carousel continues

Andy Reid says Kansas City Chiefs not considering replacing Alex Smith
Chiefs coach Andy Reid says that he never considered replacing quarterback Alex Smith with Patrick Mahomes against the Bills and won't do it next week either.

Cleveland Browns now hope Josh Gordon can help avoid 0-16 record
After falling to 0-11 with a loss to the Bengals, the Browns now hope a guy who hasn't played in nearly three years can help avoid a winless season.

Alshon Jeffery cashes in against Bears; Eagles keep rolling
Alshon Jeffery outgained the Bears all by himself in the first half, and the Eagles rolled to an easy win on Sunday against his former team.

Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks easily take care of San Francisco 49ers
An injury-riddled Seattle defense proved to be too much as the Seahawks pressured and hit their way to a win over the 49ers.

Robby Anderson of New York Jets pleads for Pro Bowl after touchdown
Jets receiver Robby Anderson was flying high after a 54-yard TD reception Sunday when he lobbied for Pro Bowl votes -- on camera.

Atlanta Falcons' Tevin Coleman doubles pleasure with two TDs, birth of twins
Falcons running back Tevin Coleman scored two touchdowns the day after he became a father of twins.

Julio Jones makes more history – ProFootballTalk
Before Sunday, only one NFL player had multiple 250-yard receiving games. That player has now had a third one. Via the NFL, Falcons receiver Julio Jones extended his own career record for 250-yard games from two to three with 12 catches for 253 yards against the Buccaneers.

Rams snap Saints’ winning streak – ProFootballTalk
The Rams were on the losing end of a matchup with a NFC division leader last Sunday, but things went better back at home against the Saints. Jared Goff picked on a New Orleans secondary that was without its top two cornerbacks by throwing for 354 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 26-20 win.

Malik Jackson-Jermaine Gresham fight after game – ProFootballTalk
Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham and Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson got in a fight after Sunday's game, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' website. Both players threw punches, per Urban.

NFL Playoff Picture: Three teams are now mathematically eliminated from playoffs - CBSSports.com
Say goodbye to a trio of teams in the Browns, 49ers and Giants

Cowboys cut Darren McFadden, Mike Nugent; sign ex-Packers first-round pick - CBSSports.com
The Cowboys feel they are better off without McFadden, who got lost in the running back shuffle

Cowboys reportedly frustrated with Jason Garrett's lack of adjustments - CBSSports.com
The Cowboys have gotten blown out in each of their last three games

Jon Gruden talking to Tennessee Volunteers about coaching vacancy - CBSSports.com
According to sources, the Vols are dangling a $10M annual contract to get Gruden to leave the TV booth

Jimmy Garoppolo makes unexpected debut for 49ers, promptly throws touchdown - CBSSports.com
The 49ers' quarterback of the future wasn't expected to play Sunday