September 12th: NFL Preview

The Patriots won the Super Bowl seven months ago, beating the Seahawks on a last second interception. It was one of the best conclusions to a Super Bowl in recent memory, leaving plenty to be excited about heading into the 2015 season.That being said, the ZP: Left Fielder takes a look at what to expect this season. Who will win each division? Who will play in Super Bowl 50? Let’s take a look!

NFC North:

1. Packers

Aaron Rodgers will be without some of his best weapons, but that shouldn’t stop him from leading the Packers to yet another NFC North title.

2. Lions

Last year’s playoff team is relatively intact, with the exception of a running back who wasn’t all that helpful, and a defenseman who was a giant distraction. They’ll be challenging for a playoff spot come December.

3. Vikings

Teddy Bridgewater left a good taste in the mouths of Minnesota fans, but will have to prove he’s the real deal. Plus, getting back the best running back in football can only help. They’re still a piece or two away from contention, though.

4. Bears

The Bears lost their top Wide Receiver and didn’t do nearly enough to improve on defense. They’ll be better than they were last year, but still no cigar.

NFC East:

1. Eagles

This pre-season, the Eagles look good. Like, really good. Chip Kelly gets to prove whether or not he’s the real deal in the NFL with a stockpile of talent.

2. Cowboys

DeMarco Murray was a huge reason this team was successful last year. This year, they’ll have to prove they can do it without him. They can, but not nearly as well. A wild card spot will be their best shot at the playoffs.

3. Giants

The Giants could be the team that surprises people. Eli Manning has learned his new system, and this could be the year everything clicks. Unfortunately, the rest of the division is too strong to leave any space for New York.

4. Redskins

Oh, poor Redskins. RGIII is done, Cousins has a lot to prove, and the Redskins are playing in a stout division. Jay Gruden came in to solve a mess, and instead became part of the mess.

NFC South:

1. Panthers

There are literally no receivers in Carolina. This is a bummer for a team with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and a defense to keep them in the game. The Panthers will struggle at times, but they will keep pace and be there at the end for a third straight division win.

2. Falcons

Matty Ice is a huge arm that has a new toy in running back Tevin Coleman, who will complement his passing game well. The defense is a question mark, but with the offense, this team should be challenging for the division when all's said and done.

3. Saints

It wasn’t long ago that the Saints were the cream of the NFC. Now, though, they’re falling by the wayside a little bit. They lack of solid running game, and their defense is relatively nameless. With Brees and Payton, they’ll stay competitive, but they won’t be able to keep pace.

4. Buccaneers

The Buccs made some good moves to strengthen their team this offseason and advanced their rebuild well. Jameis Winston could provide to be the quarterback of the future. The future isn’t here yet, though, as Tampa Bay needs at least one more year to get to the promised land.

NFC West:

1. Seahawks

The Seahawks were 36 inches away from winning the Super Bowl, and are hungry to get back there again. They have all the tools with which to make it happen, as the Legion of Boom remains dominant and the offense continues to roll between Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch.

2. 
   49ers

San Fransisco is without it’s head coach, who we will come to find out is the genius behind the machine. Colin Kaepernick is going to bounce back, though, and the defense will show up big, as the 49ers give Seattle a hard time.

3. Rams

Last year, the Rams looked like they were a quarterback shy of a playoff run. They got what they think is their man in Nick Foles, plus Todd Gurley to boot. That being said, this team will scare me next year, but this year has more growing to do.

4. Cardinals

The Cardinals were everyone’s favorite team last year, and then got caught by the injury bug in the worst way. If everyone can come back strong, they could be in a position to compete. They won’t surprise anyone anymore, though, which means a return to earth for Arizona.

AFC North:

1. Bengals

Cincinnati has made the playoffs every year for four straight seasons (and 5 of 6), and has all the pieces to continue to succeed. They are the team everyone wants to hate on, but their run game is strong and the defense could be formidable. They lead a strong division that could include three playoff teams.

2. Steelers

Two of Pittsburgh’s best tools will be missing the first few weeks of the season, getting things started on a rough note. They will turn things around and have a strong second half, but it won’t be enough to win the division. A wild card spot will have to do.

3. Ravens

The Ravens held two leads against the Patriots during the AFC DIvisional round, but couldn’t repeat their 2012 playoff run. They’ll be in the playoffs again, but as a wild card team, as they have a bad habit of starting off slowly and heating up late in the year.

4. Browns

The Browns are a confusing team. In constant rebuilding mode, they have a quarterback that they soured on almost before he hit the field. If Johnny Manziel can pan out, this could be a big team a few years down the road. Either way, this isn’t the year in Cleveland (when have we heard that before?).

AFC East:

1. Patriots

Without Tom Brady, this team would have had a tough time. With their hero, though, the Patriots are the Patriots we all know and maybe don’t love so much. They will have an easy line to the playoffs and will get to defend their title come January.

2. Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill is slowly becoming a very reliable quarterback, and the team as a whole will see some competitive games. If it weren’t for the Patriots, they’d have a chance, but it looks like another year of watching January from their sofa.

3. Bills

The Bills are so, so close to breaking through and ending their playoff drought. Last year, all they needed was a quarterback. Well, this year, they have a fun new horse in LeSean McCoy, but are still missing the quarterback they need. They’ll miss by the slimmest of margins, and continue to suffer in Buffalo.

4. Jets

It is a circus in New York. The Jets have talent, but can’t seem to keep that talent on the field performing well. Brandon Marshall will be fun to watch, but Ryan Fitzpatrick does not a playoff team make.

AFC South:

1. Colts

The Colts sit in the worst division in football, which means many overlook the fact that they are quite good. Luck has all the weapons to be an MVP this year, and they will finally put together the pieces that brought them so close but just outside of the Super Bowl.

2. Texans

The Texans are a good team that is fun to watch. Brian Hoyer could find a good fit here, and the addition of Jadeveon Clowney for a full year will pair well with the best player in football, J.J. Watt. The Texans will threaten for a Wild Card spot, but may miss by a technicality.

3. Titans

Mariota time in Nashville is upon us. Many had their doubts, but the pre-season proved he has what it takes to run an offense. The Titans are a few pieces shy of a good team, though, and will need another year or two of rebuilding.

4. Jaguars

Because of some interception issues last year, everyone is forgetting about Blake Bortles. With T.J. Yeldon, the offense could look much better. Let’s not forget, though, that it is still the Jaguars, and will be seriously short of what they need.

AFC West:

1. Broncos

Everyone is ready to jump off the Peyton Manning bandwagon, but it’s a little early to be writing his NFL-obituary. The Broncos have a stout defense and a litany of weapons for Peyton. There is no reason Denver shouldn’t storm to a first-round bye in the playoffs.

2. Chargers

Every single year the Chargers are right there on the cusp of the playoffs. This year, they’re going to be right there again, and again fall short, as they did last year. Philip Rivers will be good but not great, as we all have learned to expect.

3. Chiefs

The Chiefs are very “take-em-or-leave-em”. Jamal Charles keeps them electric in the run game, and Alex Smith is fine, but not great. The defense could be a bright spot, but this team has no flash to make a run for bigger than 9 wins.

4. Raiders

The Raiders have been rebuilding for about a decade now. Derek Carr is a huge step in the right direction, and Amari Cooper is a great target for him. That being said, the Raiders have more work to do to make it happen. Maybe in another decade...

NFC Championship Game: Seahawks over Eagles

The Legion of Boom squares off against the Legion of Zoom. Both flying teams will have momentum on their side after big finishes to the regular season. The Hawks have been there before, though, as Wilson shows Sam Bradford what winning in January looks like.

AFC Championship Game: Colts over Broncos

A rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional round, the Colts will be flying high after taking down the Patriots a round earlier, while the Broncos will have squeaked by the Bengals on the strength of their defense. It will be on of the best League Championships in recent memory, with Luck leading the Colts to his first taste of the biggest show.

Super Bowl 50: Colts over Seahawks

The Seahawks have been here three straight times, but it is the Colts’ high flying offense that will hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Luck is the MVP with a game winning drive with two minutes to go, while Marshawn Lynch gets plenty of touches by no pay dirt. Colts take home the ring in Super Bowl 50.

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January 3rd: NFL Playoff Preview

After 256 games, the NFL Playoffs are set to kick off this Saturday. Something things went exactly as planned. The Seahawks and Broncos both won their divisions and won first round byes. Some things went as expected, but in a very different way.  The Patriots won their division, but in much grander fasion than I predicted. Some things were downright unexpected. The ZP: Left Fielder predicted a Bears division win. Need we say more?

But, now that the chips have fallen where they will, it is time for the real hard work. The Left Fielder tackles the playoffs, from Wild Card Weekend to Super Bowl Sunday.

Wild Card:

Cardinals at Panthers

The Panthers are trending up at exactly the right time, while the Cardinals are limping at best. Arizona has been the season’s feel-good story, but that can only go so far, as a fourth string quarterback won’t be enough to cut it. I’m a big Cam Newton fan, and he will put this team on his back.

Ravens at Steelers

If Le’Veon Bell is out, it may change the result of the game. But a Ravens team that loses in Houston and is tied with the Browns at half-time isn’t one destined for a long playoff run, and I think the days of the Steel Curtain are beginning to look more familiar in Pittsburgh. A rivarly match-up in the playoffs is always a treat, though.

Lions at Cowboys

The Lions were a lot of fun to watch this year, and often won in resilient fashion. That being said, nobody can match the flash of the Cowboys this year, who have found a three-headed dragon on offense in the form of Romo, Murray, and Bryant. Even the Lions’ dominant defense won’t be able to slow ‘dem Boys.

Bengals at Colts

I’ve gone back and forth a lot on this one. I love both teams, as I now have educational roots in each place. I think Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in the NFL’s future. I think Andy Dalton is one of the least appreciated players in the game. That being said, I was all ready to give a slight edge to the Bengals, but without AJ Green, I don't think that's possible. Colts win by default.

Divisional Round:

Panthers at Seahawks

Does anybody remember the matchup for the Seahawks and Panthers in the middle of the year? Well, it was the beginning of a bad slide for Carolina and the last straw for a Seahawks team that was about to turn on the jets. This is going to be another turning point, except the Panthers will be going home embarressed, and the Seahawks will be tuning up for a long run. Will Marshawn Lynch lead this team back to the promised land? “Thanks for asking.”

Colts at Patriots

The Patriots were not kind to the Colts in Week 11. This won't be any different. The Patriots are showing just how dominant they are as a franchise, and the Colts look like they don't want to succeed. This won't be close, and it probably won't even be fun to watch.

Cowboys at Packers

The Packers appear unbeatable at home. The Cowboys are absolutely dominant on the road. Who wins out? I’m probably making a heart pick, rather than a head pick here, but Big D can ball, and I want to see the Packers go down at Lambeau. Aaron Rogers will have an unstopable day, but so will Romo, as the Cowboys win a high-scoring shootout.

Steelers at Broncos

Everyone has jumped off the Broncos bandwagon in the last few weeks. Yet, the team’s defense is playing better than ever before, and the running game is clicking in a way that should scare, well, everybody. Peyton will be Peyton, and will force Big Ben to play at a high level, which he has proven incabable of doing four quarters in a row this year, let alone four weeks.

AFC Championship Game:

Broncos at Patriots

We’ve been biding our time for this game. This is, really, what everyone wants, and will be the talk of Sportscenter all week. It will be unbearable.

The Patriots were embarressed on the road last year. The Broncos were embarressed at home this year. The slate should be clean for the Manning-Brady Bowl.

I think these teams are as evenly matched as theyve ever been before, and it will make for a thriller. Two Hall of Fame Quarterbacks. Two much-improved secondaries. Two running games with no name recognition but gritt.

That being said, we will return to what I’ve said every week for much of the year: Never, EVER bet against Peyton. I don’t care how many picks he threw against the Bengals in Week 16. Don’t. Bet. Against. Peyton.

NFC Championship Game:

Cowboys at Seahawks

This year’s most intriguing team against the defending Super Bowl champs. That’s what football is all about.

The Seahawks defense will slow Romo and Co. down a little, and the Cowboys defense will be able to manage against a Seahawks offense that is efficient at best. This will be a chess match, and is, for all intents and purposes, a hard one to call.

The cards will fall in favor of the Seahawks, though, based on playoff experience, toughness, and overall a will to win.

Super Bowl:

Broncos vs. Seahawks

A Super Bowl rematch is what many expected heading into this year, although it is impossible to anticipate how we got here. The Broncos have planned all offseason and all regular season for this matchup, and you can bet they will come out angry, looking for a revenge. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have proven that, despite some early season hiccups, they are not going to succomb to the post-championship hangover.

This will be a much better game to watch, and will come down to the wire. The Broncos proved in the regular season that they can play with this team.

I’m going with the Broncos for two reasons. Reason #1: If they got here, they will have had to beat the Patriots, who I think are their biggest test. Once they’ve done that, they will be raring to go. Reason #2: I don’t see this squad allowing themselves to watch Seattle hoist the trophy against the again. This will a revenge grudge-match, and Peyton will get his second ring.

Now comes the fun part. Grab some friends and the remote. It’s almost Game Day.

August 28th: Believing Is What We Do Best

Have you watched a Cubs game this year? Chances are, the answer is probably not.

And really, why should you? There isn’t a really good reason to drop everything and watch a team with a 59-74 team. Especially if you’re outside of the Chicago area. Let’s be real. Even if you’re IN the Chicago area.

But something crazy is happening on the North Side. All of a sudden, the Cubs have slowly put together the pieces for a dynasty.

Sure, there has been plenty of attention on the big-name prospects. Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant. All stars who have yet to see time at the Major League level (except Baez’s cup of coffee this past month). But, more importantly for the much sooner future, is what is going on with the likes of Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, and Jake Arrieta.

Each of the Cubs three “stars” for this year came in with a busload of doubters. Rizzo and Castro were coming off simply terrible years, while Arrieta hadn’t really proven anything to anyone. Well, the Cubs’ core is putting together a season that should get people pretty excited.

Rizzo is second in the NL in home runs. Castro is one of the game’s top offensive shortstops. And Arrieta is just a few innings away from qualifying to be among the league leaders in ERA.

Here is where things get really interesting, though. The Cubs lineup this week now features six of the eight position players of the future. And, as things have been going, it seems to be working.

The Cubs are 39-41 since June 1st. That may not sound sensational, but considering Edwin Jackson is 1-6 in his last ten starts, we could realistically say that if we had a valid starting pitcher in that spot in the rotation, we could be an over .500 team.

Not to mention the fact that, with free agency looming, the Cubs have already essentially declared their losing days over. The Cubs put a waiver claim out on Cole Hamels, stating for the world to know that they are going to be spenders on free agent or trade pitching this winter. While a deal didn't get done, it did call attention to what the Lovable Losers are trying to do.

There is something special going on in Chicago, and it is looking a lot like hope.

Based on this season’s performances and what the Cubs could reasonably expect, here is a very early look at what next year could hold for the Cubs:

1. Arismendy Alcantara (CF): Mendy has been a great defender while learning how to man center field for the Cubs this season. While his average is a little low for a lead-off hitter, a full season will do this kid wonders.

2. Starlin Castro (SS): As a very good hitter, but less pop than some of his teammates, Castro would be a great table-setter here in the two spot.

3. Anthony Rizzo (1B): Rizzo has bounced back from a terrible year last season, and seems to be proving that his issues against left-handed pitching are far behind him. I would love to see Anthony named the official captain of the Cubs...but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

4. Kris Bryant (3B): The world is begging to see Bryant in Chicago as early as Monday for expanded rosters. While that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, Bryant is staking his claim on the third base gig as early as possible.

5. Jorge Soler (RF): In his debut, Soler hit a home run on one of the most beautiful swings I’ve ever seen from a rookie. This kid looks like he can rake, and I can’t wait to see him take over as the Cubs’ best pure athlete. I see something almost Yasiel Puig-esque in him.

6. Javier Baez (2B): Baez would be batting higher if it wasn’t for his contact issues. Baez has proven that, if he gets ahold of one, it will go a LONG way. That being said, if he continues to strike out 40% of the time, he will be too much of a liability to put any higher in the order. Overall, though, you can’t sleep on a guy who has 7 homeruns in his first 23 games.

7. Chris Coghlan (LF): Coghlan has been a huge surprise (pleasantly) this season. Actually, not quite true. You see, I’ve been calling for this kind of player for years. Let a young, formerly touted talent on in a minor league contract and let him show you what he can do. Well, apparently lead the Cubs back into brighter days, is what Coghlan can do. He has been the best all-around hitter for the Cubs in the last month, and has all but guaranteed a spot in next year’s lineup.

8. Catcher: Sure, Wellington Castillo is what we have right now. This is the one spot on the diamond, though, where the Cubs could realistically go out and spend the money to find either a short-term replacement until Kyle Schwarber gets here (if Schwarber will, in fact, catch), or a long-term replacement if they’re looking for the catcher of the future. Some options include: Ryan Doumit, Russell Martin, and Geovany Soto (wouldn’t that be interesting?)

Pitching-wise:

1. Jake Arrieta: He has more than proven he can be this team’s anchor and ace.

2. Kyle Hendricks: I think he should be getting Rookie of the Year consideration, but I guess next year’s Cy Young voting will be a better way to use your votes.

3. Travis Wood: We still aren’t sure which Wood is the real one: 2013 or 2014.

4. Felix Doubront: The Cubs have had a history of helping talented yet struggling pitchers get their lives back together. Maybe we have another King Felix on our hands.

5. Free agent ace: Let’s go out and spend the big bucks. Jon Lester, James Shields, Max Scherzer. Any one of those guys could put the Cubs into winning form. RIGHT. NOW.

**Notice the abysmal Edwin Jackson will not be making the Cubs starting rotation (at least not if the ZP: Left Fielder has anything to say about it.)

We know that Cubs fans love to dream about next year. This may be a giant exercise in just that fantasy. Yet, at the same time, it looks like next year just might be here...next year.