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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June 30th: Holding Out for a (Football) Hero

Hockey season is over. Basketball season is over. Too much of America is baseball illiterate. Which means it is officially time to start beating the football horse to death.

Training camp is right around the corner, and teams begin to get their first look at what the 2015 season will look like on the turf, as well as on paper. This is, of course, assuming the players show up.

Some don’t, you see. Some players are going through contract negotiations, and choose to sit out of training camps and workouts, in favor of holding out for a bigger contract. Some are worried about their health, and don’t want to hurt themselves during an active contract conversation. Others feel under-valued, and are going to remain off the field until they get what they believe they so rightly deserve.

Adrian Peterson tried the tactic, hoping to get traded by the Minnesota Vikings, a team he felt didn’t do enough for him while he was experiencing legal problems last season. Martellus Bryant, the Bears Tight End, stayed (loudly) away from optional mini camp, telling reporters that he was looking for a new deal. Dez Bryant, after being franchise tagged by the Cowboys, feels slighted that he isn’t able to provide for his family (yeah, he tweeted about how 13 million won’t cut it because, ya know, #Family1).

As a football player, you are being paid millions of dollars to play the sport you love. You sign a contract to play ball and come to practice, and are asked to do your job. For these men to refuse to play or participate because they are engaged in discussions for their NEXT contract is ridiculous. You have a job to do, and you should be executing on it.

If I were an executive for a day, I wouldn’t entertain the notion of a holdout. You want to take yourself off the field to get more money out of my team? Good luck with that. Teams should have no faith in a player who is willing to put his own paycheck ahead of the team that he is already under contract to play for.

You don’t see baseball players hold out. Baseball players talk contract during the off-season, then put it on hold from March to October. Hockey players and basketball players don’t hold out. They wait until the offseason to do their contract work. Sure, football is a more violent sport, with a much greater chance for injury, but that doesn’t change the fact that players know what they sign up for.

Even more importantly for the sports world: fans don’t hold out. You don’t get to stop going to work because you don’t think you get paid enough or don’t think you have enough job security. Go ahead and try it if you want; you’re going to get fired. Football players should be held to the same standard. You signed a contract to play football. So go play football. If not, don’t expect to play football later.

I understand the need to take care of one’s family, especially in a sport as violent as football. Football players have an average career length 3.3 seasons long (according to the NFL Players Association), so players have to do everything they can to line up their contract before injury catches up to them. That can’t come at the expense of the team dynamic, though, and should be all squared away by the time players are ready to take the field. If they aren’t, then it is time to play out the contract you have, and prepare for next off-season, when you can get the chance to look for a new one. Any player who holds his team hostage because he is unhappy with his current deal isn’t really aware of the way the business world works, and should not be expected to contribute to the team in a positive way.

Players are a vital part of the football experience, of course, and teams should be doing what they can to look out for the individuals that make the game what it is. That being said, the players need to remember that a contract is their agreement to be on the field when they are expected to be there, and should be honored, regardless of a desire to get a new, better one.

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January 22nd: Deflated Egos

Sunday featured one of the most exciting, engaging NFL games in recent memory. Waking up Monday morning, most expected to hear discussion on the Packers’ epic overtime loss to the Seahawks, expected to hear hours and hours of commentary about the defending champs doing everything it took to win, expected to hear a shower of praise for a defense that kept their team in the game, even when all looked lost.

Instead, news quickly shifted to Sunday’s OTHER game, one that everyone expected to get ugly and did, quickly. After a 45-7 drubbing of the Colts, the Patriots came under fire for an NFL investigation, questioning whether or not the footballs used by the Patriots offense met regulatory standards. After a few days of investigation, it was discovered that 11 of the 12 game balls were deflated to up to 2 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) under regulation.

Now, it was easy for “haters” to immediately begin calling out the cheating Patriots, crying for anything and everything: a fine, a rematch, a forfeit. Most, though, had never heard enough about the PSI of a football to make an educated argument as to the context of it.

Here are some of the details that are important to keep in mind:

• The standard PSI of a game-used NFL football are between 12.5 and 13.5 PSI. These balls are evaluated 2 hours before the start of the game, approved by the referees, and then given to the quarterbacks for use during warm-ups.
• PSI can fluctuate during a game. Air pressure generally goes down in cold weather environments, which a game in New England one would expect to be very cold.
• An under-inflated football is generally easier to throw, especially in cold or wet conditions, because it is easier to grip.
• The PSI is not re-evaluated during the game. This means that, when they were under investigation by the league, the balls had not only been out in the cold, but the passage of time could have an impact on the PSI.
• The Colts had 12 offensive balls of their own, and none of them violated the league’s regulations.

Overall, there are plenty of questions, many either too complicated or too long since passed to get a real understanding. The Patriots could have had balls at the low end of regulation, and thus dropped below protocol only after weather and time impact. The Colts could have preferred more inflated game balls, and thus remained above standards longer. The balls, through the investigative process, could have lost pressure from repeated evaluation, causing an inaccurate reading. From any angle, there are simply too many questions to lead to any real punishment.

In his statement to the media, Patriots Head Coach BIll Belichick gave a fairly detailed description of his involvement (which is next to none), and the information he has on the matter (also nearly none). He repeatedly answered questions by simply announcing that he had explained everything he knew. For all we can determine, he truly wasn’t involved in any form of tampering.

This is, of course, not the first time the Patriots have come under fire under cheating allegations. The 2007 accusations and ultimate fines for video recording Jets game and practice signal calling left an enormous shadow over the team that has had the most substantial claim at dynasty status over the past 15 years in football. Similar accusations arose on two other occasions, including for videotaping Rams practices in lead-up to Super Bowl XXXVI.

In any case, the Patriots would be well-suited to let their play on the field do their talking for them. Some argue that, with a score of 45-7, things were clearly way too far out of hand for the ball factors to have impacted the bottom line. That doesn’t really matter, though, as an unfair advantage would drastically change even the smallest details of a game. Even for a team that may not have broken the rules, too many allegations generally means that something fishy is happening.

As the Patriots prepare for their showdown with the Seahawks on February 1st in Arizona, there will be swirling accusations, questions, and doubts as to just what this team is made of. While these questions are valid, there is required a certain dose of curiosity, so that fans will ultimately come to an accurate understanding of not only WHAT happened, but how and why it impacted the game.

January 6th: In Like a Playoff Team, Out Like the Lions

If controversy is the way we gauge how much fun we had during NFL Wild Card Weekend, then the Lions, Cowboys game was clearly the highlight!

After having led for most of the game, the Lions squandered a 20-17 lead, giving up a bullet passed by Tony Romo to the back of the end zone with 2:30 left to go. With the Cowboys now up 24-20, Matthew Stafford attempted to run a last-chance offensive stand, Alas, a forced fumble ended it, sending the Lions home, and the Cowboys to Green Bay to take on the Packers in the divisional round.

Sounds simple enough. Except, there was a play with over 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter that has NFL fans in Detroit and beyond up in arms.

With the lead, the Lions were stringing a drive together. On 3rd and 1 in plus-territory, Stafford dropped back to pass, finding Brandon Pettigrew a good 20 yards downfield. Except, Pettigrew, tangled up in Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, doesn’t catch the ball. The flag is thrown. Defensive pass interference is called. The first down is given. Again, fairly simple. Except that the officials later took the penalty back.

Out of nowhere, after the penalty had already been announced, the officiating crew decided that no pass interference had happened after all, and that it was 4th down.

Cue the panic. When Detroit eventually lost the game (c’mon, it was Detroit, we saw that coming), players and fans alike pointed at that play as the reason the Lions were headed home. ESPN commentators tore the play to shreds. Fans shamed the NFL for allowing such a thing to happen. Even Dean Blandino, the NFL Head of Officiating, came forward and acknowledged the blown call. Or, rather, the correct call that was taken back.

At the end of the day, though, the Lions lost. Fans want to believe that it was the fault of that one play. All of a sudden, everyone is looking back at the game for every possible penalty. Dez Bryant coming out onto the field without a helmet. Ndamukong Suh being held on a critical 4th down opportunity. Anything that could be found WAS found.

The only thing that couldn’t be found, though, was the Lions clutch factor. It is absolutely understandable, as a fan, to be furious that the officiating played a role in such a pivotal moment. But that was one minute of play. What is the excuse for the other 59 minutes? What’s the excuse for the fact that the Lions had over two minutes left on the clock at the end of the game with the chance to win, and didn’t? Where is the argument that the Lions could have had their foot more firmly on the gas and been winning by 14, rather than three, in the fourth quarter? Where is the second-ranked Lions defense, who gave the Cowboys the ball in a home-field advantage situation late in the game, allowing them to march down the field in 11 plays for the game-winning score?

The bottom line is this: the officiating team screwed up. The call should have favored the Lions. They should have had excellent field position, and held onto the ball a little longer, burning more time off the clock. The Cowboys should have had a harder time stealing the victory late in the game like that. But, when all was said and done, the Lions let one minute be the excuse for 59 other minutes of football.

A team that allows a play midway through the fourth quarter to be their excuse for relinquishing the lead and eventually losing the game lacks the winning pedigree necessary to make a championship run. THAT is why Detroit will be watching next week’s games from the couch.

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.