Did Santa Claus blow off Jeff Saturday?
Based on his Christmas morning distinctly un-holiday-centric rant — a massive diss of Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix — one could surmise that somebody pooped in the ESPN analyst’s eggnog. The five-time Pro Bowl center went off, claiming that Nix isn’t (or shouldn’t be) a playoff quarterback.
Jeff Saturday Doesn’t Hold Back Thoughts on Broncos, Bo Nix
Why? Because he’s not Joe Burrow.
Holy Sh*t: ESPN's Jeff Saturday goes OFF on the #Broncos and Bo Nix, saying they DO NOT deserve to make the playoffs over the #Bengals:
"Ain't nobody trying to watch Bo Nix…"
"Ain't nobody wanna watch a rookie QB in the playoffs, man. C'mon!"
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 25, 2024
Nobody will argue that the 2024 version of Burrow, who’s wrapping up a career year, is numerically superior to Nix. Admittedly, the fact that Burrow is throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins rather than Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. doesn’t hurt his digits. But still.
How Important Are Their Numbers, Really?
At the end of the day, stats are stats, and wins are wins. If Burrow’s 7-8 Cincinnati Bengals switched records with Nix’s 9-6 Broncos, Joe Brrr would be mentioned alongside Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in the MVP conversation, while “Athletic Drew Brees” would be viewed simply a long-shot Rookie of the Year candidate.
And we wouldn’t have to watch Saturday give himself an aneurysm.
As it is, the meh Bengals are very much on the playoff bubble (they have a 5.3% chance of sneaking in), while Denver — easily one of the NFL’s happier surprises — can clinch a postseason spot by winning one of their two final games.
The final week of the season, Denver stares down Kansas City. This coming Sunday, Denver faces, you guessed it, Burrow and the Bengals.
That being the case, Mr. Saturday should probably take a break, open some presents, and enjoy the Broncos’ best quarterback play since the halcyon days of Peyton Manning…all due respect to Trevor Siemian.
It must be noted that Saturday is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2025. Voters should elect him if only so he’ll cheer the heck up.