The Chanukah Song | Week 14, ‘23 | YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
With Hanukkah starting tonight I decided to go with Adam Sandler’s The Chanukah Song. He wrote and originally performed this song on Saturday Night Live on December 3, 1994.
There are hundreds of Christmas songs for this time of year so Sandler’s got a fair point here. I honestly didn’t know what to pick from and I grew up on Adam Sandler movies so figured this would be okay.
The last line of this is where he got the title of his animated film Eight Crazy Nights which came out 8 years after this in ‘02.
Sadly, the lead singer from Van Halen is the only celebrity from this stanza still alive today. James Caan, born in the Bronx, was a great actor in The Godfathers, Misery, and of course, Elf. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen anything with Kirk Douglas in it, but have seen a few starring his son, Michael. Dinah Shore was married to Burt Reynolds.
Below is a picture of Paul Newman and Goldie from a 1992 Hollywood event. The Sandman is right!
He’s wild for this one. This was in the middle of the OJ Trial, which of course had a chokehold on the American public for over a year. Rod Carew was an 18-time All-Star for the Minnesota Twins and California Angels. Ann Landers was the pen name for Ruth Crowley, a famous advice columnist known for Ask Ann Landers. Indiana Jones/Hans Solo, hey even if it’s a quarter, that’s a nice get. Moe, Larry, and Curley ran comedy in their day. I’m not quite sure about Tom Cruise’s agent in real life, but he tried to portray American sports agent, Leigh Steinberg when he starred in Jerry Maguire back in 1996.
Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate and a thank you to Adam Sandler for making people laugh for all these years! He’s the man.
Let’s talk ball…
Week 14, ‘23
Thursday Nighter
That wasn’t all that bad for a Thursday Night game. New England came out and scored a TD right out the gate as Zeke had some juice in his legs. The Patriots got all of their scoring out of the way in the 1st half as Bailey Zappe threw for 3 TDs for the 1st time in his career. TE Hunter Henry had 2 TDs on his 29th birthday. Jabrill Peppers had a nice interception. The Patriots may have ruined their NFL Draft position. It was a great game.
As for the Steelers, yikes. It’s never a good thing when in the 1st Quarter of a game the fans are chanting for Mason Rudolph to play. Entering this past Sunday morning, the Steelers were 7-4 and were facing back-to-back 2-win teams. They lost both at home. This probably shouldn’t be too much of a surprise though, considering they have a -40 point differential on the season and that was with their QB1. Mike Tomlin’s got work to do.
I had Pittsburgh winning by a baseball score of 4-2 (+6 NE & Under 30) so we’re 1-1 heading into the Week 14 weekend…
1 PM Slate
This game will feature the #3 and #4 picks from the ‘22 NFL Draft. The Houston Texans decided to take CB Derek Stingley at #3, which allowed the Jets to grab Sauce Gardner. It was the 1st NFL Draft since 1991 where 2 defensive backs were taken inside the top 4 picks. For what it’s worth, I’m taking Sauce Gardner over every CB in the NFL, but Derek Stingley has been on a roll of late. In the past 3 games, Stingley has picked off 4 passes. Last weekend the Texans beat the Broncos but lost their dynamic rookie WR Tank Dell for the season when they attempted to have the 165 lb. speedster be a lead block in the trenches. This game also features 2 #2 Overall NFL Draft picks with QBs CJ Stroud and Zach Wilson. One is off to the best 12-game start to a career and the other was just reinserted back into the starting lineup after being benched for the 3rd time in his 3 year career. I’m sure you already know who is who in this scenario, that said, I bleed Green.
Prediction: 12-11 NYJ (+6.5 NYJ & Under 34.5)
Detroit beat Chicago in Week 11 by a score of 31-26. The Lions’ rookie TE Sam LaPorta has gotten off to a great start in the NFL. LaPorta leads all rookie TEs in nearly every important statistical category. Typically with TEs, it takes about a year or 2 for the player to develop into a starter but LaPorta’s 64 catches (4th amongst all TEs), 679 receiving yards (4th amongst all TEs), and 6 TDs (2nd among all TEs) already make him elite at the position. Sam Laporta needs 398 more receiving yards this season to break Bears’ legend Mike Ditka’s rookie TE season record of 1,076 yards. Da Bears had a bye week in Week 13 to hibernate. Since Chicago traded for pass rusher Montez Sweat in Week 9, Chicago’s pass defense has vastly improved. Before the Sweat trade, Chicago was 28th in passing yards allowed and INT%, since Week 9 they are 9th and 4th in both respective categories. Chicago has been playing better football, but I’m still taking the 1st place Lions here.
Prediction: 30-26 DET (-3.5 DET & Over 41)
The LA Rams are on a 3-game winning streak that has brought them back to .500 at 6-6. Rams rookie WR Puka Nacua is the 1st of his WR draft class to break 1,000 yards receiving. Nacua never had more than 805 receiving yards during a season in college while playing for Washington and BYU, just goes to show that some guys are built for the league. The Ravens have a rookie WR of their own in Zay Flowers, who is coming off the best game of his young career as he had 2 TDs (1 receiving and 1 rushing). Flowers will need to play a bigger role in the absence of TE Mark Andrews. Baltimore’s defense this season leads the NFL in sacks with 47. Interestingly enough, the analytics say that this game features the best and worst starting QBs in the league at avoiding negative plays. (Source: @PattonAnalytics) Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s 4.62% negative play rate (INT-worthy throws, sacks, and fumbles) is the best amongst starting QBs, while Lamar Jackson’s 12.45% is the league’s worst. While this sorta makes sense since Stafford has been around the block and Jackson plays more of a risky brand of ball, I’ll take Baltimore at home coming off a bye to snap LA’s winning streak.
Prediction: 24-16 BAL (-7 BAL & Under 43)
The Carolina Panthers scored 18 points last week, a low mark that the team couldn’t reach in November. While veteran WR Adam Theilen’s early revelation was a nice story, it is time for the Panthers to feed WR Jonathan Mingo. The rookie WR has had 60+ yards receiving in back-to-back games and has led Carolina in targets the past two weeks. The Saints are 5-7 and have lost 3 straight games giving up an average of 27 points. Lucky for them, the Panthers have only scored 27 points in 1 game this season and it was way back in Week 3. The Saints RB Alvin Kamara had a big fantasy day last weekend, total of 109 yards and 2 scores, but the only thing the internet was concerned about in regards to Kamara was the poor sideline official whose leg he snapped. It’s nasty so please feel free to keep scrolling if you don’t want to watch GIF on loop. Just know that Nick Piazza is doing okay despite suffering two torn ligaments, a fractured fibula, and cartilage damage to his right knee. Kamara gifted Piazza a signed football and jersey. Best wishes to Piazza’s recovery! The Panthers stink so I’m taking the Saints.
Prediction: 9-3 NO (-5.5 NO & Under 37.5)
The Tampa Bay Bucs’ WR Mike Evans did it. He cracked 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th consecutive season. Evans also scored his 10th TD of the year. Only Jerry Rice has ever had 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons and nobody has ever started their career that way. Atlanta beat the Bucs in Week 7 on a Younghoe Koo walk-off field goal. Koo is currently the NFL's all-time leader in FG% with 90% after he passed Justin Tucker’s 89.93% mark. Somehow the Falcons are in 1st place in the NFC South thanks to their defense. ATL’s defenders allow 20 points per game, good for 7th in the NFL, while their offense only averages 18.8 points per game. The Saints are the only team in the NFC South to have scored more points than they have allowed and their margin is only 2. I envision a 20-20 tie.
Prediction: 20-20 TIE (+2.5 TB & Over 39.5)
The Indianapolis Colts have won 4 in a row and if the season ended today would be the #7 seed in the AFC. Colts’ WR Michael Pittman has flown under the Week to Week Notes radar for far too long. Pittman is 4th in the NFL in catches this season with 89. His biggest catch so far was last weekend in OT when he caught the walk-off winner. The Bengals despite the loss of Joe Burrow showed America they still have some life in them due to the performance of QB Jake Browning. After his 354 passing yards on 32 of 37 passes, Browning was awarded the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Browning became the 1st UDFA to ever have 350+ passing yards while throwing for an 85% completion percentage. He is also only the 10th QB in the Super Bowl Era to have such a statistical game, joining the likes of Brady, Manning, and Brees. Good for Browning, but let’s see if he can do it again, I’ll go with the Colts.
Prediction: 23-21 IND (-1 IND & Over 42.5)
The Jacksonville Jaguars QB1 Trevor “Sunshine” Lawrence refused to get on the cart after suffering an ugly high ankle sprain on Monday Night Football. Warrior. I’m sure the fellas in the locker room took notice. Sunshine is questionable to play this Sunday in Cleveland. Not for nothing, but if I was Jacksonville I wouldn’t let him anywhere near the field this weekend against the Browns. The Jags are still in 1st place and a hobbled Sunshine will be overcast by Myles Garrett. The Browns’ pass rusher is dealing with an injury of his own and is coming off a rough Week 13 performance where he didn’t record a single stat. Despite the lack of numbers last week, Garrett has 13 sacks on the season. The Browns this year are 5-1 at home and 2-4 on the road. Cleveland’s defense at home allows only 6.1 points per game while giving 30 points per game away. Helluva stat. (Source: Week to Week Notes) Now I’ll take the Browns whenever they’re in Cleveland.
Prediction: 14-10 CLE (-3 CLE & Under 30.5)
4 PM Slate
The Seahawks are now 6-6 after losing 3 games in a row. In times of crisis, people tend to turn to their leaders for guidance. For Seattle’s sake hopefully, the team has muted out their “Prez” (linebacker Jamal Adams). Rather than taking accountability for being terrible in pass coverage, the guy who named himself “Prez” took to Twitter to call out reporter’s wives and has since doubled down. What a clown. The 49ers are coming off a statement win where they went into Philly and blew out the Eagles. Niners’ WR Deebo Samuel had a monster game, scoring 3 total TDs with 138 total yards. Samuel’s 2 receiving TDs were catches-n-runs of 48 & 46 yards. Deebo leads the NFL in yards after catch per catch with 9.7 YAC per catch. I hope Deebo burns Adams a few times, but I think this game will be closer than the spread indicates.
Prediction: 28-25 SF (+10.5 SEA & Over 47)
The Minnesota Vikings are getting back their WR1 as Justin Jefferson has been activated from his hamstring injury. Despite being out since he got hurt in Week 5, Jefferson is still eyeing a 1,000-yard receiving season. While that may sound absurd for most WRs, Jefferson has averaged 98.1 receiving yards per game throughout his career, and if he continues that pace he’ll end the season with 1,061 yards on the year despite only playing in 10 games. Remember when the Raiders were fun for 2 weeks this season? Their WR1 Davante Adams has had a fairly quiet year due to the QB play but still has 814 yards on the season. I’ll take the Vikings on the road.
Prediction: 27-15 MIN (-3 MIN & Over 40)
The Buffalo Bills head to Kansas City coming off of their bye week. Bills QB Josh Allen is dating singer/actress Hailee Steinfeld. Do you think she’ll be hanging out with Blondie in the box? Speaking of Taylor Swift, Week to Week Notes would like to congratulate her on winning the Time Magazine Person of the Year. In her interview with Time Magazine, she explained her attendance at games is not for publicity, “I’m just there to support Travis. I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads and Chads.” Naturally, my initial reaction was “YASSS Queen, this is everything, you tell ‘em Tay, go 👏 off 👏 sis!!!” This momentarily euphoric feeling made me lose sight of the fact that she is dating a Travis, otherwise known as the 3rd name down the list once parents can’t decide between naming their son Brad or Chad. Then it hit me, Week to Week Notes should be a place for both @FellowSwifties and the dads, Brads, & Chads. Telling Patrick Cantlay he needs to hurry it up on the golf course and bridging the gap between Swifties, dads, Brads, & Chads, I’ve decided is my new life’s mission. Yes, I know, very noble of me. My heart says the Chiefs but my head tells me Buffalo.
Prediction: 22-19 BUF (+2.5 BUF & Under 47.5)
Denver’s QB Russell Wilson had a rough go of it last weekend as he threw 3 INTs. It was the 6th career game where Wilson has thrown 3 or more INTs. Considering that Mr. Unlimited has been in the NFL for 12 years, that is impressive. For context, the all-time leader in 3 interception games is Brett Favre, who had 39 such games. Last Sunday the Chargers went into New England and shut out the Patriots, winning on only 2 2nd Quarter FGs. When asked by San Diego reporters how big this weekend’s game is with Denver, Chargers safety Derwin James called it “A 12 out of 10.” James against the Patriots picked up his 10th career sack. This feels like a game the Chargers lose but I’m taking them anyway.
Prediction: 10-7 LAC (-2.5 LAC & Under 43)
Prime Time
Sunday Scaries
By far the best game of Week 14 on the slate is the Sunday Nighter with the Eagles and Cowboys. This NFC East matchup may decide who wins the division as the Eagles are only up 1 game against Dallas at the moment. Philly’s Jalen Hurts played hurt last weekend after he went into the blue tent with concussion symptoms. Hurts wasn’t the only Eagle who looked a bit woozy against the Niners as the Philly defense has allowed 76 points in the past 2 games. The Cowboys lead the NFL in points as they average 32.3 per game. The Cowboys offense has been cooking of late, scoring no less than 33 points in their 4 games. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott leads the NFL in TD passes with 26. Half of those TDs have come in the past 4 games and what makes Prescott’s last month that much more impressive is that he’s only thrown 1 INT in this span. Dallas is favored at home and Philly is a bit banged up but I’ll go with the Eagles.
Prediction: 34-31 PHI (+3.5 PHI & Over 53)
Moody Monday
Titans QB Will Levis was caught on camera in a heated exchange with his WR1 DeAndre Hopkins. Maybe Hop wouldn’t take mayo in his coffee? Miami obliterated the Commanders last week as WR Tyreek Hill caught 2 TDs for 78 and 60 yards. Hill just needs 484 more receiving yards to break Calvin Johnson’s single-season record of 1,964. From a career perspective, the other record that Tyreek Hill is closing in on is the most 60+ yards TDs in NFL history. Hill has 21, tied with Devin Hester, and only trails Jerry Rice (23) and Desean Jackson (26). Thank goodness this isn’t the only Monday Night Football Game.
Prediction: 42-0 MIA (-13.5 MIA & Under 47)
The Green Bay Packers are winners of 3 in a row and now find themselves in the middle of the NFC playoff picture. On this winning streak, QB Jordan Love has thrown 8 TDs and 0 INTs. Packers WR1 Christian Watson had a big 2 TD game last weekend against Kansas City but is questionable this week with a hamstring injury. The New York Giants are on a 2 game-winning streak and enjoyed their bye week. Tommy Devito especially, as he hosted a party at Hoboken’s own Wicked Wolf for a Saturday night out in the town. I wonder what he gave the Guinness? On second thought, he’s probably more of a vodka soda or maybe even Redbull Vodka kinda guy. Jager Bombs, he defintiely had a Jager Bomb or two, and he’s only 25 so he’s still not tossing in waters. The local kid has played well in the past 2 games, completing passes at a 68.6% rate and throwing 4 TDs to no INTs while getting sacked 15 times. I’m still annoyed that the Jets didn’t sign him off the G-Men’s practice squad after Aaron Rodgers went down.