“Ain’t nobody trying to watch Bo Nix, a rookie quarterback, play over Joe Burrow,” Saturday said, according to Zack Kelberman. Everybody’s tuning in [for] Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins. … If they get in the playoffs, it’s a much better story.”

Drafted by Sean Payton's former New Orleans Saints in the third round (2017-20), the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder has 13.5 sacks this season and plays with a ferociously high level of effort and aggression that allows him to punish opposing QBs.

Win on Sunday against the Denver Broncos (9-6) at Paycor Stadium (4:30 p.m., NFL Network), or the 2024-25 season will be a losing one with no postseason. Win, or it's all over for Cincinnati, but for what would become a meaningless game in Week 18.