One can only mess up so many times before intentions become known.

Never in my years of watching Broncos football have I encountered a player who, despite repeated failures, managed to keep getting opportunities that absolutely kill all meager traces of momentum.

You thought he was benched for the rest of the season... You were wrong.

In case you missed it, Isaiah McKenzie found his way into the game on Sunday and managed to mangle all hopes of a field goal at halftime by scrambling into an in-bounds tackle that caused the few remaining seconds of the first half to slip through the Broncos fingers like so many Isaiah McKenzie punt returns.

Despite being poison to points and possessions, McKenzie’s real talent is Jedi mind tricking coaches to let him back onto the field. There are players on other teams who are paid far more who affect the Broncos far less than McKenzie. You can’t accidentally be this bad.

The first change the Broncos need to make when the season is over is an easy one. Start with the guy taking a hatchet to the goalpost.

HORSE TRACKS

Cover 4: Broncos' win streak ends with 27-11 loss to Washington
The Broncos couldn't capitalize on an early advantage and dropped to 5-10 on the year.

From the Pocket: Osweiler frustrated by squandered first-half opportunities
Brock Osweiler was clearly frustrated after the Broncos' offensive struggles against Washington in Week 16.

Why it happened: Redskins 27, Broncos 11
The Broncos were unable to capture momentum and fell on the road to Washington.

Cousins Throws for 3 TDs, Redskins Beat Broncos 27-11 - NBC4 Washington
Kirk Cousins threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns in what could be his final home game for the Washington Redskins as they beat the Denver Broncos and their top-ranked defense 27-11 Sunday.

Osweiler or Lynch? Broncos QB carousel keeps spinning
Paxton Lynch could play for the Broncos in Week 17 against the Chiefs after Brock Osweiler struggled in a loss at the Redskins

Latest loss shows Denver Broncos needs lie beyond quarterback - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
It's easy to dump on the Broncos' quarterbacks, but Sunday's loss to the Redskins highlights the fact that Denver's problems lie much deeper.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Justin Coleman jumped into the Salvation Army kettle after celebrating a pick-six against the Dallas Cowboys
Seahawks cornerback Justin Coleman celebrated a pick-six against the Cowboys by jumping into the Salvation Army kettle in the back of the end zone Sunday.

Eli Manning to start Week 17 for New York Giants
Eli Manning will start in Week 17 for the Giants. As for his future after that? "I'll figure out next week and go from there," he said after Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns secure No. 1 pick of draft with loss to Bears - NFL.com
The Cleveland Browns once again will head into the offseason with the league's top draft selection. With their loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the Browns secured the first overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Saints beat Falcons, clinch 1st playoff berth since '13 - NFL.com
In a relatively ho-hum installment of one of the NFL's great rivalries, the New Orleans Saints (11-4) throttled the Atlanta Falcons (9-6), 23-13, and clinched a playoff berth.

Carlos Hyde: Niners 'going to win the Super Bowl' in '18 - NFL.com
After overwhelming the league's best defense in a win over the Jaguars, nobody embodied better the Niners' newfound confidence than running back Carlos Hyde, who made a bold declaration.

49ers hang on to beat the playoff-bound Jaguars – ProFootballTalk
Things change quickly in the NFL. On the day the Jaguars clinched their first division title this century, they also sowed some seeds of doubt. And the 49ers gave their fans reason to hope, which is no small feat for a 5-10 team.

Lions offer no comment on Jim Caldwell’s future – ProFootballTalk
The Lions won't be making the playoffs this year and that will make coach Jim Caldwell's future a topic of discussion for many people over the final week of the regular season.

Cardinals shut out Giants to keep .500 season a possibility – ProFootballTalk
Losing running back David Johnson for the year before the end of the first game of the season was a pretty good sign that the 2017 Cardinals season wasn't going to go the way the team hoped, but they can still end the year on an up note.

Jerry Jones gives Jason Garrett vote of confidence – ProFootballTalk
The Cowboys haven't gone to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2006-07. That was Bill Parcells' last season coaching the Cowboys and Wade Phillips' first season coaching the Cowboys.

No Sunday night game in Week 17 – ProFootballTalk
The NFL opted to forgo a Sunday night game in Week 17 for competitive balance. The Carolina-Atlanta game has the most intrigue. However, if the league were to move the Carolina-Atlanta game and New Orleans won earlier in the day to clinch the division, the Panthers would have nothing to play for ...

Cover 4: Broncos' win streak ends with 27-11 loss to Washington
The Broncos couldn't capitalize on an early advantage and dropped to 5-10 on the year.

From the Pocket: Osweiler frustrated by squandered first-half opportunities
Brock Osweiler was clearly frustrated after the Broncos' offensive struggles against Washington in Week 16.

Why it happened: Redskins 27, Broncos 11
The Broncos were unable to capture momentum and fell on the road to Washington.

Cousins Throws for 3 TDs, Redskins Beat Broncos 27-11 - NBC4 Washington
Kirk Cousins threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns in what could be his final home game for the Washington Redskins as they beat the Denver Broncos and their top-ranked defense 27-11 Sunday.

Osweiler or Lynch? Broncos QB carousel keeps spinning
Paxton Lynch could play for the Broncos in Week 17 against the Chiefs after Brock Osweiler struggled in a loss at the Redskins

Latest loss shows Denver Broncos needs lie beyond quarterback - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
It's easy to dump on the Broncos' quarterbacks, but Sunday's loss to the Redskins highlights the fact that Denver's problems lie much deeper.

Earl Thomas to Jason Garrett: If y’all have the chance, come get me – ProFootballTalk
Earl Thomas left the field on the Cowboys' end, meeting up with Jason Garrett as Thomas entered the Dallas locker room to pay his respects to Dez Bryant.

NFL coaching rumors: Jon Gruden 'reaching out' to coaches, Bucs 'preferred destination' - CBSSports.com
The former Buccaneers coach could end up being the next Buccaneers coach

Report: Teams want Aaron Rodgers released, complained about IR move - CBSSports.com
Teams are mad about how Green Bay handled the roster moves relating to injured reserve

NFL Playoff Picture 2018: Here's what Seahawks need to make postseason - CBSSports.com
Seattle still has a shot at making the playoffs but needs some help

Week 17 NFL schedule: Here's why the NFL decided to skip 'Sunday Night Football' - CBSSports.com
The league will not flex a game to the Sunday night slot in Week 17