the 4th star

Usually I just pick teams out of a hat (you didn’t know — sorry). This time I’ve decided to ask the vast Manitoba celebrity community who they like in the National Football League playoffs. OK. It’s not that vast. But lucky for us there are only 11 NFL post season games to cover. Shouldn’t be that hard to find 11 people, should it? We will see, I guess. Please note: On the off chance these people don’t respond to the pick requests that I probably won’t get around to sending them in the first place, these selections may not actually be from them. First up, Winnipeg Mayor, his worshipfulness, Smilin’ Sammy Katz:

New York Jets (9-7) at Cincinnati (10-6)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. on NBC
Previous meeting: New York Starters 37, Cincinnati Indifference 0
Jets road record: 5-3
Bengals home record: 6-2
The spread: Jets +2.5
The money line: Jets +115
The over/under: 34.5 points

Helicopter! Helicopter! Helicopter! Oh, sorry. I thought this was something else. CARMEN! GET IN HERE! I see. Well, I have to be honest with you here, I’m not much of an NFL fan. Having said that, I have looked at it and I do like any team named the Jets moving forward. I think Winnipeg sports fans would really welcome a return of the Jets. But like the Bengals in the AFC, I’m from the North (End). I grew up on Cathedral and it was tough, so I’ll take Cincinnati — they seem tough, too. But only if I can sell their nickname. I’m thinking the Cincinnati Fountain Tires. I like that Ochocinco character, too. He seems pretty colourful. Not as vibrant as my jackets, of course, but just as concerning. Helicopter!