the 4th star

Usually I just pick teams out of a hat (you didn’t know — sorry). This time I’ve decided to poll the vast Manitoba celebrity community. OK. It’s not that vast. But lucky for us there are only 11 National Football League 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 reply to the pick requests that I probably won’t get around to sending them in the first place, these selections (or responses) may not actually be from them. For the final wild card contest, here’s Barry Shenkarow — someone who knows a thing or two about Arizona and packing it in:

Green Bay (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
Sunday, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Previous meeting: Green Bay 33, Arizona Bench 7
Packers road record: 5-3
Cardinals home record: 4-4
The spread: Packers +1
The money line: Packers +100
The over/under: 47.5 points

First off, your introduction was very unfair. I tried to make it work in Winnipeg — you know that, everyone knows that. The costs of doing business in the National Hockey League in a small-market city with an aging building were astronomical. And then some guy threw the popcorn on the ice and the Oilers win the series. The next thing you know, the organization is bleeding red ink and everyone is smashing their piggy banks in a symbolic gesture to save the team. Bottom line: Small market clubs don’t have a chance in this day and age. Green Bay? Give me a break. I don’t care how they make it work right now — eventually the economics will catch up with you. How’s that uncapped season going to treat ‘em? That’s why I’m going with the Phoenix Arizona Cardinals. They’re a team on the move!

Wild Card #1
Wild Card #2
Wild Card #3