NFL Network’s Steve Smith Made Two Laughably Bad Mistakes While Breaking Down Patriots-Broncos

This was so awkward.

NFL Network’s Steve Smith had one of the most awkward moments of the season on Sunday night when he said moments before the New England Patriots-Denver Broncos game that New England must get big games from two players who weren’t even suiting up for the game. 

In case you missed it, Smith thought wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuester would need to step up for Bill Belichick’s team in Denver. There were two big problems with that analysis—Bourne tore his ACL back in October and obviously hasn’t played since, and Smith-Schuster was ruled out for a second straight game earlier in the week with an ankle injury.

This was not great from Smith: 

On NFLN, Steve Smith Sr. listed two injured Patriots WRs while discussing matchups to watch. "Kendrick Bourne, I know he's probably not, I think he's hurt, need him to show up. JuJu Smith-Schuster, he's on the sideline, need him to show up. Uh, who else they have?" pic.twitter.com/m2Z14q6TVP

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2023

NFL fans roasted him: 

Steve Smith saying that Kendrick Bourne needs to show up when he's been out for more than half the season is something else

— Ethan Hammerman 🔜 Twitchcon (@Ethanhamm) December 25, 2023

Steve Smith has been unquestionably the worst at his job for as long as he's had it. Half the things he says make no sense, a quarter of them are flat out wrong, and the other quarter is just him trolling. https://t.co/Z0nRzgPuOI

— Raiolan With Mahomey (@KCAvsFan9) December 25, 2023

Wow Kendrick Bourne is recovering from a torn ACL in California but sure he's on the sideline 🤣 https://t.co/ir9e98fTmI

— Steve (@steveA1127) December 25, 2023

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. https://t.co/gmxpqztfpZ

— Chris Babcock (@ChrisBabcock2) December 25, 2023

This is fairly embarrassing.

(Also, bad take on the Denver airport. Been a minute since I’ve been there but I like the Denver airport. Good shops and extensive food choices) https://t.co/0RuyQxl39J

— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) December 25, 2023