Week In Review - January 20-27, 2025
A weekly collection of things I wrote and read, in addition to the best highlights, headscratchers and more from the week that was...
Welcome to the Steele Sports Bar’s Week In Review!
This is a new feature I’ve been meaning to roll out for months. But, for one reason or another, it just kept getting shelved.
Until now.
I’m launching this today as somewhat of a dry run. As I explained in a newsletter on Sunday, last week was light on content due to the fact I was tied up with a couple of big freelance projects. So I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to play around with a couple of things format wise. Plus, going forward, I’ll be looking to get this out either on a Sunday night or first thing Monday, but preferably last thing on a Sunday.
Now, the entire premise of this feature is to recap and look back on the week that was. I’ll lead off each week with a collection of everything I’ve written over the previous seven days. If you missed anything that week, you’ll be able to find it in one easy section. I’ll also include links to things I’ve written elsewhere.
I’ll then highlight a bunch of stuff I’ve read and really enjoyed, both on Substack and elsewhere. I’ll also share what I’m working on for the week ahead, and I may sprinkle in some random sports thoughts here and there for good measure.
Overall, I want this to morph into a fun column that acts as a standalone feature each week. I’ve got a slew of ideas for different sections so, over the coming weeks, we’ll throw a load of spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks and what doesn’t.
I also need to give a massive shoutout to the excellent
. His ‘The Week That Was’ roundup every week proved to be the inspiration for this feature, while I’ve adopted and adapted some elements from the legendary Peter King’s former weekly column. Anyway, Neil really is great and he combines analytics with compelling storytelling better than anybody else in the business. I strongly recommend that you check out his Substack - and subscribe, obviously.Your input is also going to be really important. I want to hear your thoughts on the format, and if you have any cool ideas for potential new sections within this feature then I’d love to hear them. Plus, if you have a burning sports question you’d like me to address each week, fire it across and I’ll turn that into a weekly feature in this space too. You can get hold of me by either using the comments section below, or email me at andrewsteeledavis22@gmail.com.
Okay, let’s dive into the inaugural edition of Week In Review!
Things I’ve Written This Week ✍️
NFC Championship Game Preview
The journey to Super Bowl LIX is almost complete with four teams left standing.
AFC Championship Game Preview
I’ve been way too engrossed in the Commanders - Eagles game that I’ve totally neglected this AFC Championship Game primer.
Again, the site was a bit light on content this past week due to the fact that I was battling some freelance deadlines. However, I still made time to reflect on the fifth anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing, as well as making some awful picks in the NFL Championship Games. I also shared some concerns I have over the Mets going into 2025 for
.What I’ve Loved Reading This Week 📰
🏈 ‘Drive a dagger in:’ Is this the year the Buffalo Bills slay the king? - By
(Go Long)🏈 The day the Buffalo Bills could’ve drafted Patrick Mahomes - By Tyler Dunne
⚾️ Top 10 Shortstops… RIGHT NOW! - By
(JoeBlogs)📖 Volume 5, Issues 56: A Hit Is a Hit - By
🏀 Double the All-Stars, Double the Fun - By
(Knicks Film School)⚾️ How Much Should We Really Worry About The Dodgers’ Megateam? - By
(Neil’s Substack)🏒 The Pittsburgh Penguins Are In Hockey Hell - By Neil Paine
⚾️ Sick of the Dodgers Signing all the Free Agents? Well Get Off Your Butt and Do Something About It - By Michael Baumann, FanGraphs
⚾️ Mets showing interest in Spencer Torkelson? - By
(Just Mets)🏈 When the rest of the NFL fumbled, the Eagles scooped up Saquon Barkley - By Jerry Brewer, Washington Post
🏈 Why NFL teams ‘just lose their mind’ when paying quarterbacks - By Adam Kilgore & Emily Giambalvo, Washington Post
⚾️ No one played baseball like Ichiro Suzuki, every hour of every day - By Jerry Brewer, Washington Post
🏈 Jets coach Aaron Glenn’s to-do list: from offensive coordinator to Aaron Rodgers - By Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic
🏈 Mike Vrabel’s winding path made him the coach the Patriots need now - By Chad Graff & Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic
💰 America Has Fallen in Love With Long-Shot Sports Bets - By Katherine Sayre & Isabella Simonetti - The Wall Street Journal
🏈 The NFL Star Who Couldn’t Catch a Break - and Now Can’t Stop Catching Touchdowns - By Andrew Beaton & Joshua Robinson, The Wall Street Journal
My Sports Moment Of The Week 🔥
Each week I’ll pick out a sports highlight, storyline or game that really stood out to me.
This week, I’ve got to go with Nikola Jokic’s you’ve-got-to-see-it-to-believe-it near-full court bucket for the Nuggets against the Kings.
I swear Jokic isn’t human.
Cool Moment Of The Week ⭐️
I’m going for a personal choice to launch this particular section. For long-time readers and subscribers, you will be well aware of just how much Peter King means to me. The former NFL writer has had a huge influence on my career, and his iconic Monday morning columns were a big part of my life.
Well, after Peter retired following the conclusion of last year’s NFL season, there has been a sizable void in my life. My Monday mornings just haven’t been the same without reading the MMQB - later to be known as FMIA - and consuming a couple giant cups of coffee.
But, to my complete surprise, Peter has now helped to fill that void somewhat by sending out a bunch of football notes he writes in preparation for his weekly appearance on “Let’s Go” with Jim Gray. Let me tell you; there was no bigger thrill than opening that email from Peter on Monday morning and getting to read a bunch of his NFL thoughts once again.
Peter, thank you for making my week.
Biggest Sports Headscratcher Of The Week 🤔
This section will cover the things that leave me just damn confused every single week.
To kick us off, how can I not go with the Giants opting not to bring back Saquon Barkley?! Okay, so I know that’s technically old news given it happened last offseason, but Barkley sure did make the Giants look stupid again on Sunday, just as he has done all season long. He absolutely shredded the Commanders time and time and time again. And, not only is he an elite running back, but he’s a real glue guy in the locker room and a real high-character kind of leader.
Giants GM Joe Schoen should have been fired for the brain-warping Barkley decision alone.
Meanwhile, I can’t wait to watch Barkley run wild in the Super Bowl.
Weekly New York Sports Power Rankings 📊
Okay, so as you probably all know by now, I root for the Knicks, Mets, Devils and Jets. So, every week in this space, I’ll do a quick power rankings based on how I’m feeling about each team week by week. It doesn’t make sense to do an entire article around this every week, so I thought it would be a fun little section for this feature. Here’s my inaugural Power Rankings list for this week:
Jets - They hired the best possible candidate left available in Aaron Glenn, who I think ticks all the boxes.
Knicks - This team is getting hot, KAT has been sensational and, although there are concerns, I’m falling more and more in love with the upside of this group. More depth is needed, however.
Mets - I have concerns over this roster as is currently constituted. Pete Alonso needs replacing, another bat is probably required after that, and that rotation scares me.
Devils - Injuries are starting to pile up, and this team has just been far too streaky for a while now. As things stand, I’m not convinced that the Devils are a legit Stanley Cup contender.
Play / Watch List ▶️
What I’m Watching This Week 📺: The Sopranos. I’ve watched it a million times already but who cares. It never gets old and, as far as I’m concerned, it is better than most things on TV right now.
Number 1️⃣ Song On My Playlist This Week 🎶: Chicago - Sufjan Stevens. This song randomly popped up on one of my Apple Music playlists the other day, and I can’t get enough. I currently have it on constant repeat.
Podcast Of The Week 🎧: The Bill Simmons Podcast. Bill did an episode last week revolving around fake NBA trades and it was stellar. Sure, Bill can get a little crazy with these random trade ideas he throws around, and he will always find a way to talk about his Celtics, but there are few things better than Simmons talking in-depth about basketball.
What Grinds My Gears ⚙️
I’m going to steal a section from Family Guy - one of my all-time favorite TV shows. I mean, who doesn’t love Family Guy? Anyway, there was an episode based around Peter Griffin hosting a section on the Quahog 5 News called ‘What Grinds My Gears’, and I want to replicate that here. Although I’m just 31, I am very much turning into a grumpy old man and there is plenty that grinds my gears on a daily basis. So, each week, I’m going to share the biggest thing that really grinds my gears.
In this week’s edition of ‘What Grinds My Gears,’ I want the entire city of New York to be disgusted at the Empire State Building. Talk about an utter disgrace and embarrassment. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, the Empire State Building was lit up in Eagles colors on Sunday night, and it isn’t the first time it has happened. Now, I know that the NFL pays the people who run the Empire State Building to do that but, come on, a New York institution can’t be seen honoring a team from Philadelphia. What are we freaking doing here?! I don’t see the Rocky Steps being lit up in Yankees or Knicks colors. The Empire State Building is based in New York City. It is a symbol of New York. This can’t happen. And I hate it when the Empire State Building lights up in honor of other teams from other sports after a major championship is won. Hate it. Come on, Empire State Building (or whoever runs it - I’m not stupid enough to think it has a mind of its own), get a grip. You are out of control and it is beyond embarrassing now. Just stop it. Please.
Throwback Sports Clip Of The Week 📺
With pitchers and catchers due to report in just over two weeks time, here’s a throwback to Bryce Harper’s epic performance in the 2018 Home Run Derby:
Things I’m Working On 📄
Right now I’m working on a lot of baseball content. With spring training weeks away, baseball will become the focus here at The Steele Sports Bar. I’ll have thoughts on the Mets’ new uniforms, the latest news around MLB and a look at some of the most underrated free agents still available.
Additionally, I’m putting a lengthy list of football notes, and I’ll be doing a deep dive into whether or not bringing back Aaron Rodgers makes sense for the Jets. I’m sure there will be one or two other surprises along the way too.
Quote Of The Week 💬
I’m going to leave you with an inspirational quote that I’m loving right now. I’ll do this to sign off the Week In Review every week.
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
- Oscar Wilde
I hope you all enjoyed that. As I said, I want to have some fun with this feature and if you have any feedback, comments or ideas you’d like to see included in future editions, let me know in the comments below or, alternatively, email me.
Love this format!!