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.

November 27th: NFL Week 13 Predictions

Last week, the ZP: Left Fielder went 13-1-1 (we didn’t make a pick in the Bills-Jets game. It must have gotten lost in the snow.) That was by far our best week of predictions, which means we are ready to gaze again into the crystal ball. This week features seven games with serious playoff implications for both teams. By next Tuesday, the playoff picture will become even more clear. Here we go:

Bears at Lions

All of a sudden, the Bears have won two in a row and the Lions have lost two. Is this a ray of hope for Chicago? Nope. The Lions will be looking for blood on their favorite holiday and Jay Cutler will have a false sense of security. This will get ugly early.

Eagles at Cowboys

This is one of the best match-ups of the year, and one everyone has been looking forward to. I’m expecting the Cowboys to be playing with some grit, and look to score home-field advantage. I see this as a home victory, while the Eagles will get revenge soon.

Seahawks at 49ers

Last week’s beatdown of the Cardinals could be all it takes to launch the Seahawks right back into it. I see them as a scary team, no matter what their record might say. The 49ers, meanwhile, have been nothing better than “fine” this year, and it will take better to beat the defending champs.

Chargers at Ravens

Oh, how far the Chargers have fallen. They barely squeaked by the Rams, and while the Ravens had a strong win against a home-dominant Saints team. The AFC North is the strongest team in the league, and I see the Ravens only getting stronger.

Browns at Bills

The Bills have taken advantage of a relatively easy schedule to jump out to a decent record. The Browns, meanwhile, are keeping pace against the incredibly talented AFC North. They keep things interesting by making it to 8-4.

Titans at Texans

The Texans look to be a quarterback away from a chance at the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Titans look a team away from winning anything. Zach Mettenberger should wear a GoPro so he can get a photo of J.J. Watt sacking him this time.

Redskins at Colts

Colt McCoy, the third string quarterback, actually gives the Redskins a better chance, but not when he’s facing off against Andrew Luck. The Colts should take the rest of their season to focus on how they’re going to string together a playoff run.

Giants at Jaguars

Hey, look! It’s a team the Giants can actually beat! While the rest of the world is now squarely on the Odell Beckham Jr. bandwagon, the Giants blew a lead against the Cowboys. The Jaguars are a great opportunity for them to bounce back.

Panthers at Vikings

I loved the Panthers last year, and it makes me sad to see how badly Cam Newton is struggling in Carolina. That being said, the Vikings are just good enough to get teams to actually try hard, but not good enough to be able to compete.

Saints at Steelers

The Saints are limping their way into being the best terrible team in the NFC South. The Steelers are as unpredictable as they come, but should be able to keep the Saints honest. Plus, against the Saints, Big Ben has the arm to win a potential shoot-out.

Raiders at Rams

Well, we can say the Raiders at least won one. At the same time, the Rams have been playing hungry, with big wins against the Seahawks, 49ers, and Broncos. I think the Rams might be a forced to be reckoned with in the future.

Bengals at Buccaneers

The Bengals, like the Steelers, are utterly unpredictable. That being said, the Buccaneers couldn’t get the win against a pretty awful Bears team, so the Bengals shouldn’t even have to break a sweat.

Cardinals at Falcons

The loss to Seattle should dent the Cardinals’ confidence just a little, but this Falcons team should offer an awesome opportunity to bounce back. The bigger concern is no longer if the Cardinals will make the playoffs. It is what they’ll do when they get there.

Patriots at Packers

This is the game that everyone wants to talk about. Both teams have appeared nearly unstoppable since Week 5, but one will have to take a loss here. I’m going home-team, although I don’t like picking against Tom Brady.

Broncos at Chiefs

Two weeks ago, this game was being billed as the game that would decide everything. Now, the Broncos look like a team biding their time for the playoffs and the Chiefs look like a team that lost to Oakland. I think it will be close, but not THAT close. Never Bet Against Peyton (from now on, NBAP)

Dolphins at Jets

Miami was one quarter away from pulling off an upset against the Broncos last week. Unfortunately, Peyton was Peyton, and that was that. The Jets are turning to Geno Smith (again), but it won’t do them any good. This team can’t wait for this miserable year to be over.

Playoff Outlook based on ESPN Playoff Machine:

AFC:

Seed 1 - Patriots

Seed 2 - Broncos

Seed 3 - Steelers

Seed 4 - Colts

Seed 5 - Ravens

Seed 6 - Bengals

NFC:

Seed 1 - Packers

Seed 2 - Cowboys

Seed 3 - Seahawks

Seed 4 - Saints

Seed 5 - Cardinals

Seed 6 - Lions

November 20th: NFL Week 12

The ZP: Left Fielder has taken the last two weeks off from NFL predictions, which has left football unable to decide what to do. The Broncos lost to a (maybe-not-so) lowly Rams team, the Jets beat an all-over-the-place Steelers team, and the Chiefs win without a single wide-receiver based touchdown.

That being said, we’re ready to get back to the crystal ball and take a stab at the outcome of Week 12 in the NFL!

Chiefs at Raiders

I don’t see the Chiefs as a real powerhouse in the AFC, but they keep winning, and nobody is really sure why. At least this week, we’ll know exactly why.

Browns at Falcons

Would anyone have guessed that, at 4-6, the Falcons would be leading their division? Would anyone guess that the Browns would be near the top of theirs? With Josh Gordon coming back, the Browns might just be trustworthy.

Buccaneers at Bears

The first home win for the Bears last week was a huge sigh of relief. While there will be good feelings for Lovie Smith’s return to Soldier Field, the Bears are desperate to string some positivity together with another win.

Bengals at Texans

One week, the Bengals get blown out at home against the Browns. The next, they storm into the Superdome and steal one from the Saints. I’m going Bengals here, but only if they can contain J.J. Watt.

Jaguars at Colts

These Colts got embarrassed for the second time in three weeks. The Jaguars are a perfect opportunity to bounce back in a big way. I still think the Colts could be a power in the AFC, but only if they find help for Luck.

Packers at Vikings

The Packers are getting huge production out of their quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is looking like the full-package. I hate to say it, but the Packers look like one of the most complete teams in the league, especially against the weak Vikings.

Lions at Patriots

I so desperately want to pick the Lions, both because I like Detroit and because I think the Patriots are due to crash back to earth (or at least back to Kansas City). Alas, I don’t think New England will be the location for that fall.

Titans at Eagles

The Eagles come off a bad loss to the Packers. The Titans gave the Steelers a run for their money. The world will return to normal this week, with the Eagles flying high and the Titans losing in new and creative ways.

Dolphins at Broncos

What in the world happened to the Broncos? Peyton was downright bad, although the defense held the Rams to just field goals. Manning will not allow a losing streak, so the Dolphins should be very, very scared.

Rams at Chargers

Apparently, St. Louis is where good teams go to lose. The Chargers were everyone’s favorites to make a run this year. This week, though, I’m thinking we will see the teams we were expecting at the beginning of the year, with the Chargers taking down the Rams.

Cardinals at Seahawks

Everyone is fairly squarely on the Cardinals bandwagon, but, with a backup quarterback and the 12th man, I’m not nearly dumb enough to bet against the Seahawks. Plus, this is a team that will thrive as the “underdog,” if you can be an underdog as the defending champs.

Redskins at 49ers

Nobody is really sure what the hell is happening in Washington, although, at times, the same could be said for San Francisco. The 49ers will take merciless advantage of a team that they can embarrass.

Cowboys at Giants

This would be an awesome prime-time game, except that the Giants have no realistic chance at making it interesting. The Cowboys are coming off a bye, which should settle some of the subtle issues that were arising at the end of their streak of success.

Ravens at Saints

All of a sudden, the Saints can’t win at home, either. The Ravens are good, if not with a few holes. I think this might be the closest game out there, but it has the potential to dramatically change the playoff picture.

According to my predictions on ESPN’s Playoff Machine, the playoffs will be as follows:

AFC:

Seed 1 - Patriots

Seed 2 - Broncos

Seed 3 - Colts

Seed 4 - Steelers

Seed 5 - Ravens

Seed 6 - Chiefs

NFC:

Seed 1 - Cardinals

Seed 2 - Packers

Seed 3 - Eagles

Seed 4 - Panthers

Seed 5 - Lions

Seed 6 - Cowboys

October 23rd: NFL Week 8

The Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder missed last week, which only means this week is all the more important. After this week, we will be at the half-way mark, and we will know where most teams stand heading into the playoff push. That being said...HERE WE GO!

Chargers at Broncos

This might be the epic battle of the season to this point. The Broncos and Chargers have positioned themselves as the cream of the AFC crop. That being said, the Broncos are riding too high, and the Chargers are too banged up to steal a win in Denver tonight. Bottom line: Denver will win a fun one.

Lions at Falcons

The Lions are the best team receiving no attention this year. I don’t necessarily believe they are a strong threat in the playoffs, but they are making a push to be there. The Falcons, meanwhile, are just straight-up bad.

Seahawks at Panthers

Seattle is coming off a bad loss in St. Louis, while the Panthers were embarrassed by the Packers. The Seahawks are the team more likely to come out angry, though, and they will manhandle Carolina. This is their big opportunity to keep doubters at bay.

Ravens at Bengals

This was the first matchup of the season, and it looked like the Bengals were crusing. Now, though, the Bengals are falling like a stone, and the Ravens are putting their offense together. I’m picking the Ravens, but the winner of this game wins the AFC North either way.

Dolphins at Jaguars

I really wanted to pick the Jaguars. The Dolphins just aren’t that good, and the Jaguars finally got into the win column. At the same time, though, the Fins are coming off a win on the road, and the Jaguars...well, they’re still the Jaguars.

Rams at Chiefs

Both teams knocked off legitimate title contenders last week, and both are trying to put a season together to prove they shouldn’t be forgotten. I like what Austin Davis is doing, and the Chiefs have been all over the place. This is my upset of the week.

Bears at Patriots

This would be an awesome week to pick the Bears. Teams that come off locker room friction often come out with chips on their shoulders, ready to produce. That being said, the Patriots are coming off a few weeks in a row of similar fight. I also can’t trust Jay Cutler. Ever.

Bills at Jets

Everyone was surprised (well, ok, I was surprised) this past week when the Jets played a competitive game against New England. The BIlls have also surprised, as there is no reason Kyle Orton should be leading this team. I have to go with the Big Man and his creative defense.

Vikings at Buccaneers

This is the “Who Cares” game of the week. I’m going with the Vikings, only because I want to see Teddy win one. Funny how, at the beginning of the year, I thought Tampa Bay would be competitive...

Texans at Titans

The Texans were slapped in the face at the end of the second half, and still were able to pull within a touchdown. This team is decidedly meh, while the Titans are so desperate they’re willing to turn things over to a third round rookie.

Eagles at Cardinals

Fly, birds, fly! Two one-loss teams are ready to square off. This is really anyone’s guess, but I would say the Eagles are more likely to get their goose cooked.

Raiders at Browns

Again, I was itching to pick the Raiders here. Nobody wants to see a winless team, and the Browns looked flat last week. That being said, if Brian Hoyer wants to prove he’s the guy in Cleveland, this is the time to do it.

Colts at Steelers

I’m in love with the Colts. They do such a good job at doing what they do, and they seem to overcome not being what they aren’t (was that English?) The Steelers aren’t even the same team quarter to quarter, let alone game to game, and they are ripe for the picking for a team that is on  tear.

Packers at Saints

What happened in NOLA? Everyone loves Drew Brees, but he just hasn’t been able to right the ship. I think we can safely say that this team isn’t just hitting a bump in the road. The Packers, meanwhile, are prepped for an upset, I think, but this isn’t going to be the week.

Redskins at Cowboys

The Cowboys might be the first team in a long time that is equal parts really good and really overrated. With one win against Seattle, everyone wanted to give them the Lombardi trophy early. I don’t think that’s the case. But they’re lucky enough to get the Redskins, who have a whole bucket of trouble.

October 2nd: NFL Week 5

The Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder blew it last week. I went 5-7 picking games (I picked after the Giants win against the Redskins). This week, teams have had the chance to show whether they’re the real deal, or just hanging on.

Vikings at Packers

The win against the Bears last week seemed to prove that the Packers are back. The Vikings aren’t sitting ducks, but the Packers’ punter isn’t going to see any action for the second week in a row.

Bears at Panthers

Two teams that struggled mightily last week, the Bears and Panthers both attempt to take control of a winning record. The Bears offense has gotten their running game together, which makes them a big threat, while the Panthers are limping after catching the injury bug.

Browns at Titans

I haven’t picked the Browns yet, but maybe it’s time I started. The Titans aren’t looking good, while the Browns seem to have the creativity to find ways to win. They have remained competitive in each of their first three games, something I hadn’t thought possible.

Rams at Eagles

After being held to exactly zero offensive productivity, the Eagles will be playing angry. The Rams will see their lack of a decent quarterback catch up to them.

Falcons at Giants

This is my bold prediction of the week. I think the Giants are about to click, while I think the Falcons are a prime candidate to get knocked off. No promises, but I think Eli could start to flourish in his new system.

Buccaneers at Saints

New Orleans must be in full-blown panic mode. Luckily, they have the Buccaneers to beat up on this week. The Saints will play with a chip on their shoulder, while the Buccs will be too busy celebrating last week’s surprise win to know what hit them.

Texans at Cowboys

The Lone-star showdown features two teams with 3-1 records, something of a surprise to most. The Texans have been fun with J.J. Watt and all, but I think the Cowboys are starting to show people that they are the real deal. I’m going with Big D.

Bills at Lions

The Lions look like they’re poised to take advantage of the NFC North. Their offense is dominant and their defense is passable. Kyle Orton is not a franchise changing quarterback, and the Bills look like they’re pretty much done for the season.

Ravens at Colts

Andrew Luck is in full-blown dominant mode, while the Ravens are coming off a big win against Carolina. You can’t guarantee that Steve Smith will play like that again, though, and the Colts look like they could be the real deal. I’m thinking AFC Championship game for the Colts. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Steelers at Jaguars

You would think this would be the second straight chump game for the Steelers, but apparently they bungled that last week. Blake Bortles will get a good crack at things, but I think the Steelers will find a way to scratch out a win. That doesn’t mean Pittsburgh shouldn’t start panicing.

Cardinals at Broncos

The Broncos lost two weeks ago, and have had to sit and wait for redemption. The Cardinals are a great team, but they should be squirming, knowing how much Peyton has been watching them for a fortnight. This is going to be fun to watch. Well, if you’re a Broncos fan, anyway.

Chiefs at 49ers

Both had telling wins last week, but the 49ers couldn’t stay away from the drama. The Chiefs have been so up and down thus far, and I think things are about to get very good in San Francisco.

Jets at Chargers

The Chargers are one point away from undefeated. The Jets are falling into the old “if you have two quarterbacks you have none” adage. The Chargers get the victory and the Jets get a new quarterback.

Bengals at Patriots

Poor Tom Brady. Said nobody ever. Well, at least until this week. After an embarrassing beat-down and benching, the Patriots don’t get any easier with the Bengals, who look like their trying to win all of the playoff games before they even get there.

Seahawks at Redskins

Everyone wants to be the ones to knock off the Seahawks. Instead, the Redskins have to be beaten down by them. Apparently we found out exactly how far Kirk Cousins will take them...Week 4.