I don’t know if this is the stupidest thing I’ve ever written or if I stumbled into the beginnings of 4-D Chess.
@YouTheReader: This is a long one folks, so you may want to sit down or read in spurts over the week. Or honestly, if you wanted to skip it entirely, I promise next week will be shorter. I have to present a seminar on the 2023 changes to the Craft Beverage Modernization Act at my 9-5 bootlegging gig.
I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser. (0:06)
As a writer (or whatever you want to label me as), I’m more of a villain than a hero. I’ll try cracking some jokes that don’t land or just aren’t funny to some. While my style may sometimes come across as arrogant, trust me, there are definitely parts of every week when I get anxious and I question how dumb all of this is. How all these ramblings could just be an absolute and utter waste of time, but this isn’t a sob story whatsoever - I really love doing this. When I first started posting these publicly, I was very self-conscious about it and a good friend of mine told me, “Look nobody cares what you do. Everybody is in their own little bubble. If you enjoy doing it, go for it” and it was exactly what I needed to hear. My favorite time of the week is Friday morning, not for the weekend ahead, but because after I post I feel like I accomplished something, whatever you want to call this niche.
@YouTheReader: “Does it feel like a job yet?” No, the writing and putting everything together the covers, GIFs, etc. not at all. It’s fun and actually feels more like something I want to make a career out of. It’s stressful at times but that’s really only because I’m my own harshest critic (at least that I’m aware of). Every week I’m trying to one-up last week and the pressure I put on myself hopefully makes diamonds.
I don’t have a sports journalism degree from Northwestern, Syracuse, or an Ivy League so I’m assuming ESPN would never hire me. SVP at Midnight will never see this so I’ll never get a chance to promote “my brand” on his show. While I’ll admit I used to be a bit of a stoolie, I’m convinced Portnoy only hires certain Yankee fan types, and honestly, I’m not doing this to be in front of a camera or podcast. I just want to focus on writing. Bill from Boston Simmons already has his Yankee guy in @John_Jastremski over at The Ringer. BleacherReport already has Hoboken’s own NFL draft analyst and Jets fan in @ConorRogers.
I guess I could attempt to write into Ryen Russillo’s Life Advice and get his input or try to ask Big Cat if he would buy 5% of my brain for $1 million (but he’d never reply to a Twitter bot with 2 followers). @FridayBeers should probably hire me as they try to dive into sports with @glue.guysports, but that account of over 100k followers only views my stories without reposting. Could I help revive @SportsIllustrated on their Instagram if they let me log in every Friday morning to drop these? Probably. That said, even if any of them were to hire me, I have to admit, I kind of love having full content control. Captains go down with the ship.
While I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, I’ve never had a sharper pen. Nothing against any of the guys mentioned above (fan of them all) but I’m hungrier and younger than all of them. Hopefully, that bravado comes across as tongue-in-cheek to @YouTheReader. Sit around, talk sports, get a read on what’s on the minds of family and friends for the week, and jot down notes like Running Back X (let’s use Michael Carter) has “good wiggle in and out of cuts” while watching games. That doesn’t sound like work to me. Truthfully, I’d only regret it if I didn’t go for it like this.
@YouTheReader *starts thinking* “Why did he start this saying he was a villain again?”
Fans don’t boo nobodies and right now for all intents and purposes in constructing this career, I am fully aware that I am a nobody. There’s a reason all your favorite books, movies, or shows have flawed characters that make you come back for more. To quote Vince Vaughn in Swingers, “I don’t want you to be the guy in the PG-13 movie everyone’s *really* hoping makes it happen, I want you the be the guy in the rated R movie, you know, the guy you’re not sure whether or not you like yet. You’re not sure where he’s coming from.” There’s a thin line between you never knowing what the hell I’ll write about next and just losing the plot entirely or becoming some clickbait link. Just know if you’re taking any of your time out of your busy week to read these, I’ll always try my best to make this better Week to Week.
At the end of the Week, if you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. I’m just a privileged Yankee fan with a pen & paper and his head up his own ass. I root for the biggest villains in sports and that is never going to change. While I might not be in-your-face about the “27 rings bro”, to myself I snicker at your pathetic “franchises” and their nothing pasts. While Week to Week Notes may be cultivating an underdog story, I don’t want to be some sympathetic figure you feel for so you click this link. That would get boring. Not all heroes wear capes and not all villains are all that bad. I’m just starting to settle into my lane as a sports anti-hero that is petty with a pen.
The pic on the left is from the account @hobohappyhours. Wouldn’t it be something if after @DearMaud reposted my Story/Link/Poster/Cover last week that the most in-the-know account about Hoboken Happenings followed up with a repost for their 24.5k followers?
@YouTheReader *Thinking* “Holy shit, this guy is out of his mind.”
Well, this is what happens when a grown-ass man listens to Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero 4,938,985 times in one week for the thematic concepts on Week to Week Notes…
I should not be left to my own devices. They come with prices and vices. I end up in crisis. (0:25)
*When 6 PM in New York flops and people read it as slam poetry. Please see below.*
Swings & Misses
World Series Prediction Fail
Tough one here. Was definitely NOT trying to mush the ‘Stros. *Clears throat* Excuse me, I have to put my unbiased aspiring baseball historian hat on. You can scroll past if you don’t care for baseball because it doesn’t involve the Yankees or Mets….
Astros up 3-2 over Phillies
Game 1: JT Realmuto’s 10th-inning homerun gave the Phillies a 6-5 victory.
Game 2: Astros top 4 in the lineup (Altuve, Pena, Alvarez, and Bregman) combined to go 6 for 15 with 3 doubles and a solo homer. Those 4 scored all 5 runs to the Phillies 2.
Game 3: Phillies as a team mashed 5 home runs in a 7-0 blowout that was over early.
Game 4: Astros’ pitchers Javier, Abreu, Montero, and Pressly combined to throw a no-hitter for the first time in a Fall Classic since Don Larsen’s 1956 World Series Perfect Game.
Game 5: Last night’s nailbiter saw the Astros make two superb defensive plays. Trey Mancini’s below GIF in the 8th with runners on the corners w/ 2 out and Chas McCormick’s 9th inning snag leaping at the wall). The Astros held on to win 3-2.
Game 6 Matchup
Make Believe Ad Space
Ideally, this would be where one day I do a quick personalized write-up advertisement with a GIF or something to catch @YouTheReader’s eyes for @DraftKings, @FanDuel, @Prophet Exchange, etc… but before you roll your eyes, to get the ball rolling, I’d probably have to do something old-school like what you see on those placemats advertising at The Ridge.
Rather than makeup more free ads, here are steps 1 and 2 of my 3-part plan for the week…
1. Despite being TikTok famous, I’ve never downloaded TikTok, but I reached out to @alao_invest (Manic Minute) and he said he would give WTWNs a mention sometime when recapping sports. For anyone who has a TikTok, you should give him a follow if you’re interested in getting quick and informative bits of finance, sports, general news, and more in 60 seconds.
2. These 2 are small potatoes compared to step 3.
One day I’ll watch as you’re leaving, ‘Cause @YouTheReader got tired of my scheming. (0:36) Yes scheming, gimmicks for views, and terrible NFL picks.
Week 9, ‘22 Picks
Warped Logic Week 9, ‘22
Thursday Night
Philadelphia Eagles 29 @ Houston Texans 17
Many would think the focus would be on a recap of this game. That was the plan until I received this screenshot from a subscriber prior to the game. While this may look like innocent posts with a few differences, notice how it is the @NFL official account and how the caption to the left at 2:58 ET said “11 straight coming soon”, while the one on the right ends with a question mark. Was @RogerGoodell trying to tell us something? We see you, Roger, very sneaky of you to admit the NFL is rigged in broad daylight. The brave journalist who sent me this will remain anonymous, we know you have bodies Roger, but the people need the truth. @NewReaders, this is the kind of top-notch journalism you can grow to expect here. If you have a tip such as this, please send them to WeekToWeekNotes@gmail.com and I will courageously report on these important incidents.
Off to a 2-0 start entering the weekend of Week 9. Have me down for 27-12 Falcons over the Panthers for Week 10’s Thursday nighter.
@HateReader: Why don’t you have more subscribers and views yet?
It’s me. Hi! I’m the problem, it’s me. At tea - time, everybody agrees. (0:47)
1 PM Slate
Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots
Bill Belichick became the #2 all-time winningest coach in NFL history (if you include regular season and playoffs). The guy who resigned from the New York Jets on a napkin writing “I resign as NYJ HC” moved past George Halas with 325 coaching wins and now only trails Don Shula’s 347. He refused to take credit for it, stating, “Players win games.” The Evil Hoodie genius also stated this week that Derek Jeter was the best shortstop of all time so I’m willing to be complimentary. If the Pats are going to make some noise this year, there is no way they lose to Sam Ehlinger in Foxborough.
Prediction: 26-12 NE (-5.5 NE & Under 39.5)
Miami Dolphins @ Chicago Bears
Tyreek Hill’s 4 games of 160+ receiving yards ties a second-place record held by the likes of Julio Jones (‘15), Antonio Brown (‘15), Calvin Johnson (‘12), Issac Bruce (‘95), Jerry Rice (‘95), Lance Alworth (‘68 and ‘65), and Don Maynard (‘68). Hill has 9 games to tie or break Roy Green’s record of 5 games of 160+ receiving yards in a season. (Source: Stat Muse) With the 17-game season, Cheetah is now on pace for 2,042 receiving yards in the season.@TheNewUncle so what if he is less than 2 weeks old, can you just ask him if he’s a Jet or Phins fan already? Why isn’t he answering you???
Prediction: 27-14 MIA (-4.5 MIA & Under 44)
Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets
@DrewFromJersey (not the Twitter account) has major concerns with Zach Wilson’s play but believes the team finally has a foundation at head coach and general manager. I concur. There are levels in the NFL. Super Bowl contenders (Bills) and wild card contenders (Jets). The only way the Jets are even in this game is if Zach Wilson plays on par with Josh Allen. An extremely unlikely task, but if you give me a drink or two before kickoff I could probably latch on to some obscure narrative of them pulling this out.
Prediction: 31-30 NYJ (+13 NYJ & Over 47.5)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Atlanta Falcons
@JohnDoe is my favorite @HateReader. C’mon, admit it @JohnDoe, it would be kind of funny if I mushed the San Diego LA Chargers every year, wouldn’t it? In 2022, Justin Herbert is averaging 6.7 intended air yards per attempt vs. Tua Tagovailoa’s 9 intended air yards per attempt. The Falcons are 5-0 in games where Kyle Pitts has 80+ receiving yards or a touchdown and 6-14 when he doesn’t (Tweet). The 4th overall pick of 2021 should be seeing 8+ targets a game.
Prediction: 52-0 LAC (-3 LAC & Over 49.5)
Carolina Panthers @ Cincinnati Bengals
While I’m definitely going to pick the Bengals to win this game, most of the country that watches football already knows all about Cincinnati because of the Super Bowl. The QB for the Panthers, P.J. Walker, has stepped into the starting role with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold out with injuries. The 27-year-old from Elizabeth, NJ, has had quite the journey to make it to the NFL, which included an XFL stint with the Houston Roughnecks where he led the league in passing yards and touchdowns before play was suspended due to the pandemic. Considering the Panthers traded away draft picks for Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Matt Corral, the fact that Walker, an undrafted free agent from 2017, is atop the depth chart shows how dysfunctional this Panthers organization is, but a nice local underdog story nonetheless.
Prediction: 27-16 CIN (-8.5 CIN & Under 43.5)
Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions
Reports came out this week that the Packers almost traded a 2nd round pick for Chase Claypool. The Steelers decided to take the Bears 2nd round pick instead, with the thought being that Chicago would finish with a worse record than Green Bay so thus a better draft position. While the Packers decided to stand pat at the trade deadline, the Lions actually unloaded one of their best players, T.J. Hockenson, to the Vikings (more on that directly below).
Prediction: 28-24 (-3 GB & Over 50)
Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Commanders
A rare intradivision trade between Detroit and Minnesota could make this Vikings’ offense league-best when all is said and done. Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Hockenson give this offense so many options for rookie head coach, Kevin O’Connell, to play with. The only question mark is the guy behind the wheel. Can Kirk “You Like That” Cousins string together multiple big games wins? On Washington’s side of things, Jeff Bezos and Jay-Z are rumored to be interested in buying the team off of Dan Snyder.
Prediction: 25-21 MIN (-3.5 MIN & Over 43.5)
Lav Vegas Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Twitter user (@JetPackGalileo) pointed out that Travis Etienne’s “duck-foot” anatomy gives him a rare accelerator when he is turning corners. I have no idea if that is a scientifically proven thing, but any dumb sports fan like myself can now use this line at a bar when @ETiennePhoneHome breaks another 40+ yard run down the sideline. You’re welcome.
Prediction: 24-20 JAX (+1.5 JAX & Under 48)
Phew, I know @YouTheReader won’t bother reading up until this point so I can admit to humming/lip-syncing “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby” (1:10) on the crowded subway this week. That said, the subway car had a homeless guy singing “This Magic Moment” into a mic (not funny, a sad reality), a guy trying to sell me individual packages of Chips Ahoy and Welch’s Fruit Snacks, and I was standing next to a couple making out while wearing masks so I fit right in with the city circus.
4 PM Slate
Los Angeles Rams @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans has one of the most underappreciated Hall of Fame WR resumes of all time. Evans is just the sixth player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons, joining Jerry Rice (10), Tim Brown (9), Marvin Harrison (8), Cris Carter (8), and Torry Holt (8) on the exclusive list. (CBS Sports) His 577 receiving yards this season put him on pace for 1,401 yards in the 17-game season.
Prediction: 23-17 TB (-3 TB & Under 42.5)
Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals
All aboard the Geno “they wrote me off but I ain’t write back though” Smith train. I’m expecting him to show up to Phoneix on Saturday, play a round at Grayhawk Golf Club, pay off the bouncers at Bevvy to cut the line, beat the Cardinals on Sunday, head back out to Old Town Scottsdale Sunday night, not get into Bottled Blonde because he’s wearing “Jordans” and end up getting a table with the boys at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row.
Prediction: 28-23 SEA (+1.5 SEA & Over 50)
Did you hear my covert narcissism, I disguise as altruism? (1:30) I don’t think I should do a bit inside this bit (Vol. III) for some time. Too many “I”s and “Me”s for my liking. What do you think?
Prime Time
Sunday Scaries
Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs
@DFlyer you never responded about the new Titans stadium and distance from Gulch. Not going to lie, now I’ve got to assume you’re not reading up to this point. Noted. @YouTheReader, shhh, we could have some fun with this.
Prediction: 34-17 KC (-12.5 KC & Over 46.5)
Moody Monday
Baltimore Ravens @ New Orleans Saints
Don’t be the guy or girl at the water cooler or zoom call that took Andy Dalton over Lamar Jackson, you’re better than that.
Well for starters I see you didn’t include how much you bench. You should probably be hitting the gym more, especially at your age. Uhh, look man… I’m sorry but I’m not going to go back and read all that stuff that you wrote. The thing is, every fan thinks they know sports and this is a very difficult industry to just crack into out of the blue without any connections. There are thousands, probably tens of thousands of people like you who write about sports and never make it into this business. For you to think that after 6 months of some weekly ramblings you can just waltz right into any sports powerhouse and be successful is extremely naive. Another thing, do you really think that you can create content that both men and women would want to absorb? Do you not think that these sports media conglomerates pump millions into market research? Look, I’ll tell you what, write for another year, see if you still are enjoying the process, and maybe we can review your work next fall. My people can get in touch with your people. I can tell you’re passionate about this, but what the hell does T-Swift have to do with a sports blog?
Podcasts, live game streams you bet on, as much face time in front of cameras as possible, I get that’s where the money is, but someone has to fill the vacuum at writing behind the scenes, no?
NBA/NHL
NBA (Locals Only)
…Oh yeah Nets’ coach, Steve Nash was also fired, Ime Udoka will be taking over, and Kyrie Irving was suspended by the Nets for at least 5 games after posting a “documentary” that he in his apology stated, “contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion.”
NBA Friday Night Daily Fantasy Lineup
NHL (Locals Only)
Part of my heritage, pardon my arrogance, part in my hair again. (2:33)
Irish Rugby
Saturday, November 5th. 1:30 pm (ET) kick-off at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Connor Murray of Limerick is set to earn his 100th cap (appearance) for Ireland. Irish captain Johnny Sexton will be making his 109th appearance for Ireland, making him the country’s 5th most-capped player of all time. The South African Springboks are winners of their last 6 matches, fattening up against Argentina with 4 straight games against Argentina in September. On the Irish side in 2022, they have faired 6-2 against some much better competition, but have not played a match since their July 15 victory over the New Zealand All Blacks.
I’m told that many are saying this match has been given the moniker, ‘world number one vs world champions’, as Ireland is ranked #1 in the world and the Springboks are the reigning 2019 world champions. The last time these two nations played each other was in 2017 when Ireland won 38-3. One thing to keep in mind heading into Saturday that is causing a stir is that the match is set to be a “kit clash”, with both teams wearing very similar jersey colors.
@PftCommenter
USA Footy
Weston McKennie (Quad)
With the World Cup set to kick off in just over 2 weeks, the main concern for the USMNT is getting the players healthy and back up to form. Unfortunately, after suffering a quad strain, Juventus midfielder and regular USMNT starter, Weston McKennie, is in a race against time in preparation for Wales. McKennie isn’t the only starter at the moment who has questionable status as their goalkeeper, Matt Turner, has been suffering from groin tightness. I haven’t played FIFA in a while, can somebody let me know what formation is optimal for this American side?
Trends Change, Rumors Fly
Wait, you’re telling me that you’re in a fantasy football league where your league commissioner hasn’t been writing “Week to Week Notes” since 2016? Your league commish isn’t trying to parlay that concept into a career in writing about sports?
I’d bet half of you probably think I suffer from some “Main Character Syndrome” when I’m just the reliable narrator trying to make up storylines so these degenerates can check their starting lineups by 1 pm Sunday. I’ve been doing it for years, guess it’s crazy of me to think I might as well make Week to Week Notes public and see if … never mind… too much talking out of pocket for one week. I’ll tell you later.
Links to Look At
Fred's Team: @Adubbs has been running through the six-th borough of NYC for months in preparation for the NYC marathon this Sunday. Every dollar you donate goes directly to lifesaving research at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
TILLMAN 40: A former teammate and class act has been on a journey to get the NFL to retire Pat Tillman’s jersey #40 league-wide. An extremely noble cause much bigger than sports. Go to the link and help hit the 150k mark of signatures. It takes 2 minutes and he’s already halfway there. @RogerGoodell of Bronxville with the $40 million annual, what the hell are we doing? Get this thing moving.
All Boro Flooring: Their expertise in flooring ranges from some really wavy designs to basketball courts. If you’re in the Tri-State area and need hardwood flooring solutions, there’s no one else you should be calling for a free estimate today (+1 718-231-6911). Check out their wide variety of concepts @allborofloorservice.
YouTube Rabbithole
Mike Francesa Prank Calls
I grew up listening to the Hall of Fame sports radio host, Mike Francesa the Sports Pope, on WFAN as well as his TV stream on the YES Network. Nobody bats 1000% in sports, but when Mike is right on a subject that you agree on, there’s nobody better @YouTheFan would want in your corner. As a New Yorker, it would not have felt right to leave @MikesOn and @MadDogSportsRadio out of my 6 PM in New York post.
@YouTheReader was mentioned 20+ times, sensing a theme?
For Week to Week Notes to work out it’s going to be just as much about you as it is about me. Let’s have some fun, maybe F around and change how casual fans consume sports & more.
At least now you know I’m willing to swing for the fences, go for it on fourth, and shoot from the Pirate flag (I wish). See you next Friday morning.
Thanks for reading!
It must be exhausting always rooting for the Anti-Hero.