An Abbreviated Lukas Review
Inside: NFL Week 12 Recap, MLB Free Agency Deals, Next Week's Schedule, and Best Articles of the Week
Happy Monday, everyone.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Last week was Analytics Capper’s final column. Also, a rare week with no news worth exploring in a deep dive. But, plenty of exciting stuff is coming to the Lukas Review in the coming weeks.
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Table of Contents:
What I Watched Last Week
What I Am Watching This Week
What I am Reading
What I Watched Last Week
Quarterback play this week was average, outside of Cam Newton (try to find him):
Mac Jones proving me wrong is now a weekly occurrence
Derek Carr might be the most underrated QB in the league
People thought Drew Lock was better than Teddy Bridgewater?
Instead of a deep dive, I included more NFL-specific information.
If I asked you who is the best pass rusher in the NFL, you would likely say Myles Garrett, one of the Bosa brothers, T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, or Khalil Mack. Pressure Percentage, which measures the percentage of passing downs a rusher pressures the quarterback, paints a different picture. Here is The Athletic’s top ten in Pressure %:
Could Micah Parsons make a late push for DPOY? He is primarily responsible for the Cowboys’ improvement from 23rd in 2020 to 4th in 2021 in Defensive DVOA.
We are near three-fourths the way through the season, so let’s check in on the rookie quarterbacks:
Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Justin Fields continue to struggle while Mac Jones has placed himself in an elite company.
MLB
In my MLB lockout two weeks ago, I questioned whether teams would feel comfortable signing players to 9-figure deals with a lockout looming large. Well, I think we got our answer as there has been a flurry of deals.
Corey Seager: 10-Years, $325 million (APY: $32.5m)
Max Scherzer: 3-Years, $130 million (APY: $43.33m)
Robbie Ray: 5-Years, $115 million (APY: $23m)
Marcus Semien: 7-Year, $175 million (APY: $25m)
Kevin Gausman: 5-Year, $110 million (APY: $22m)
The Mets and Rangers have been big spenders thus far in free agency. Specifically, the Rangers have allocated $500 million to their middle infield positions (Seager and Semien).
What I’m Watching This Week
Monday
Seahawks vs Football Team at 8:15 PM on ESPN
Tuesday
Knicks vs Nets at 7:30 PM on TNT
NYCFC vs New Englan Revolution at 7:30 PM on ESPN
Warriors vs Suns at 10:00 PM on TNT
Wednesday
Watford vs Chelsea at 2:30 PM on Peacock
Aston Villa vs Man City at 3:15 PM on Peacock
Everton vs Liverpool at 3:15 PM on Peacock
Thursday
Man United vs Arsenal at 3:15 PM on NBCSN
Knicks vs Bulls at 7:30 PM on NBA TV
Cowboys vs Saints at 8:20 PM on FOX
Friday
76ers vs Hawks at 7:30 PM on ESPN
Oregon vs Utah at 8:00 PM on ABC
Clippers vs Lakers at 10:00 PM on ESPN
Saturday
Wolves vs Liverpool at 10:00 AM on Peacock
Baylor vs OK State at 12:00 PM on ABC
Georgia vs Alabama at 4:00 PM on CBS
Michigan vs Iowa 8:00 PM on FOX
Pittsburgh vs Wake Forest at 8:00 PM on ABC
Sunday
Man City vs West Ham at 9:00 AM on Peacock
Burnley vs Tottenham at 9:00 AM on Peacock
Chelsea vs Man United at 11:30 AM on NBC
Jets vs Eagles at 1:00 PM on CBS **
Buccaneers vs Falcons at 1:00 PM on FOX **
Cardinals vs Bears at 1:00 PM on FOX **
Chargers vs Bengals at 1:00 PM on CBS **
Football Team vs Raiders at 4:05 PM on FOX **
49ers vs Seahawks at 4:25 PM on CBS **
Ravens vs Steelers at 4:25 PM on CBS **
Broncos vs Chiefs at 8:20 PM on NBC
** = Check Local Listings
All times EST
What I’m Reading
Sports
No brakes, no breaks: An exhilarating, exhausting NFL Sunday with RedZone’s Scott Hanson ***
Cowboys LB Micah Parsons’ rise to elite pass rusher status: NFL Pressure Index revisited **
How did the rest of the NFL allow Mac Jones to fall to the Patriots? *
The rise of Ralf Rangnick, godfather of German coaching, manager of Manchester United ***
The Rangnick disciples: how Manchester United’s new manager has helped shape modern football **
Written Q&A: Fulham's Tony Khan *
A nerdy look at Leicester's poor start *
Business
Free Trades **
Bank transfers as a payment method *
*** Must Read
** Very Good
* Recommended