SNL’s NFL Spoof Draws Blowback for ESPN Framing, Weak Impressions

Backlash focused on the choice to package a CBS game as an ESPN broadcast.

Overview

Saturday Night Live aired a pregame sketch for the Broncos–Patriots AFC Championship that mocked backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix’s ankle injury.
The bit portrayed an ESPN Monday Night Football crew with impressions of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Lisa Salters even though the game was slated for CBS with Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, and Tracy Wolfson.
A recurring promotional gag for a fake Disney+ series called “Quefs” repeatedly hijacked the segment and shifted attention away from football.
Sports media figures and viewers criticized the sketch as unfunny and poorly executed, faulting the impressions and the network-branding mismatch.
ESPN reporter Jenna Laine said the Lisa Salters portrayal lacked her voice and mannerisms, and no substantive response from SNL or NBC was reported.