Have you ever walked into a restaurant that proudly displays awards they won in the early 2000’s or earlier?

Best burrito 2006.

That’s what the Denver Broncos have become. It’s time for the organization, fans, and the rest to come to terms with the fact that the Pat Bowlen era is over. The expectations of chest-pounding winning are over. The Denver Broncos have been an awful football team for half a decade and it’s time to stop pretending they’re anything different than that. Think I’m being too harsh?

You are what your record says you are.

Old sports writers talk about the history of Denver battling misconceptions. Drink if you’ve ever heard Woody Paige reference Denver as a dusty old cow town. There was a time when such talk was the motivating factor for players and fans, but those days over. The secret is out that Denver is actually a pretty awesome place to live and the wearing of chaps remains optional. Since 1973, the Denver Broncos have enjoyed damn near unparalleled success. Super Bowls, hall of famers, AFC Championships, and winning streaks that have been the envy of the NFL.

Envy has given way to whatever punchline these Broncos have become.

It’s time for Denver to turn the page on what was. Love the past. Enjoy what was. But, for the Broncos to move forward, it’s time to everyone to realistically asses what they legitimately are in this very moment—an underperforming team that has something to prove.

Let’s stop heralding accomplishments of what once was as present day evidence and turn focus to a mentality of showing the NFL that the Denver Broncos are, like in the 1970’s and beyond, a team that has something to prove to the rest of the NFL.

HORSE TRACKS

‘A lot of things went wrong’: Broncos fade in second half in 48-19 loss to Bills
Denver's final drive of the first half suggested Drew Lock could build on his performance from a week ago in Carolina. And unfortunately, it wouldn’t last.

If Broncos can't find way to get Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, it's time for John Elway to take his ball and go home
If Elway cannot find a way to get Lawrence, maybe it's time to take his ball and go home, leaving a languishing rebuilding project to a new architect.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers have 'sour taste' from disappointing win over Panthers
The Packers moved to 11-3, increased their lead atop the NFC and moved ever closer to clinching homefield advantage for the first time since 2011. But from the sound of Aaron Rodgers' postgame musings, you wouldn't know it.

Patriots eliminated from postseason contention for first time since 2008
For the first time since 2008, the Patriots will not be participating in the postseason. New England's fate was sealed with Sunday's 22-12 loss to the Dolphins, a defeat that dropped Bill Belichick's Pats to 6-8.

Saints DE Cam Jordan ejected after throwing punch vs. Chiefs
Afte initially being flagged for unnecessary roughness, Saints DE Cam Jordan was ejected for punching Chiefs lineman Andrew Wylie early in the fourth quarter of New Orleans' meeting with Kansas City.

Jaguars in line for No. 1 pick in 2021 NFL Draft after Jets earn first win
Following Sunday's stunning upset of the 9-4 Rams, the once-winless Jets (1-13) moved into a tie with the Jaguars, who lost big to the Ravens, for the rights to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

2020 NFL season, Week 15: What we learned from Sunday's games
Ryan Tannehill and the Titans offense rolled over the Lions, the Seahawks running game got going and clinched a playoff spot and Lamar Jackson and the Ravens took care of business against the Jaguars. And much more!

Sources -- NFL teams expected to target Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald for head-coaching jobs
NFL teams are expected to make formal requests to interview Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald for their head-coaching jobs after the Wildcats' bowl game, league sources told ESPN.

Sources -- Carson Wentz not interested in backup role, will want to leave Philadelphia Eagles if Jalen Hurts remains starting QB
Carson Wentz is not interested in being a backup QB and would want to move on from the Eagles if the current situation -- with Jalen Hurts starting under center -- continues in Philadelphia, sources told ESPN.

Baltimore Ravens WR Dez Bryant catches first TD pass in over 3 years
Ravens WR Dez Bryant caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson in the second quarter Sunday, marking the first time he had reached the end zone since Dec. 10, 2017.

Seattle Seahawks hold on to win in Washington, clinch NFL playoff berth
The Seahawks held off Washington 20-15 on Sunday to clinch a trip to the playoffs for the ninth time in 11 seasons under coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider.

New England Patriots lose Stephon Gilmore, playoff hopes in loss to Miami Dolphins
Patriots star CB Stephon Gilmore suffered a knee injury in the second quarter Sunday and New England fell to the Dolphins, officially dashing its playoff hopes.

Antonio Brown catches first TD for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who rally past Atlanta Falcons
Antonio Brown's first TD catch as a Buccaneer capped Tampa Bay's big second-half comeback against the Falcons on Sunday.

New York Jets (1-13) beat Los Angeles Rams, but no longer front-runners for No. 1 pick
With a 23-20 upset of the Rams, the Jets (1-13) relinquished their front-runner position for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft to the Jaguars, who own the tiebreaker edge because they have played the weaker schedule.

Tom Brady passes John Elway for second all-time on career list that no quarterback wants to be on - CBSSports.com
Brady may top this list by the time the 2020 season comes to a close

Patriots at Dolphins score: Tua Tagovailoa keeps Miami's playoff hopes alive, New England eliminated - CBSSports.com
The Patriots have officially been eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2008

NFL Week 15 scores, highlights, updates, schedule: Jalen Hurts refuses to go down on game-tying TD run - CBSSports.com
All the best highlights from Week 15 are right here

Bill Cowher optimistic about Patriots' future, names the one thing Bill Belichick has to figure out - CBSSports.com
Cowher does not think the Patriots' run of dominance is over ... yet

2020 NFL playoff races, standings: Seahawks take over first in NFC West after Jets stun Rams - CBSSports.com
Here's a look at the NFL standings as the Week 15 slate of games come into fruition

Crazy play in Chiefs-Saints game ends with a safety that should have been a New Orleans touchdown - CBSSports.com
This was one of the wildest plays of the day