Play-off time in the NFL as wild card round begins

By Tony Scott

Friday, January 02, 2015    

First of all, let me wish for you and yours a happy and productive New Year, and here’s hoping you spent a peaceful and happy Christmas in the bosom of your family and friends. Here’s also hoping that you enjoyed the games in Week 17.

Speaking of which, it was my best week all season in making picks against the JustBet point spread. I posted an 11-5 mark which took my overall record above the .500 mark and earned me some amount of respectability. It did not change the overall outcome, however, as new kid on the block and consistent lead dog, Mark Archer, won hands down from post to post. Congrats Mark, YOU ARE THE MAN. Now let’s see if you can keep it up in the play-offs.

Let me crave your indulgence for a brief moment or two as I muse about the regular season that just ended. First off, it proved once again that the only thing predictable about the NFL is its unpredictability. I enjoyed the regular season tremendously and was fascinated by both the on-field play as well as the off-field happenings. The NFL’s seamier side of things was exposed by the Ray Rice domestic violence incident and the Adrian Peterson child abuse case.

The handling — or mishandling of these matters by NFL Commissioner, Roger Godell — exposed his fallible side and brought his credibility into question. There were various other cases of substance abuse and behaviour detrimental to the team and the league. The great game and the young men who play it came under repeated fire.

In my four decades or so of being a fan of this game, I’ve witnessed many changes as the game and the players evolved. I can remember when there were only one or two black quarterbacks. My, how things have changed. In recent years the complexion of the teams has been transformed with the prevalence of black quarterbacks throughout. Jamaica has also had an influence. Have you noticed how many NFL players are sporting ‘dreadlocks’ these days?

Speaking of the Jamaican influence, we not only have the fastest men and women on the planet, we have players in the NFL of Jamaican heritage. The New England Patriots’ defensive back Patrick Chung has Jamaican parents. Detroit’s talented, but enigmatic defensive linesman Ndamukong Suh’s mum is from Spanish Town, and a host of other players past and present have Jamaican connections.

Incidentally, Suh was originally suspended for this weekend’s play-off match-up with Dallas, for stomping on Green Bay Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers’ leg during their game last week. Luckily for the Lions, the suspension was overturned on appeal and Suh will play. Suh is a multiple offender and although he’s talented, he needs to get his head right.

Okay, to the play-offs we go. There are 12 teams in the play-offs, eight of which are playing this weekend in the Wild Card round. The four that have a bye are the Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks and Packers.

On Saturday, the Arizona Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers. My experience tells me that more often than not the home teams have the advantage, particularly in the play-offs. Noise and a hostile environment for the visitors is a given. This being the case, the Panthers should take care of business against a Cardinals team that’s plagued with injuries. If the Cardinals defence turns up, it could be a long and tiring afternoon for the Panthers. Still, I expect Cam Newton to have a good game. In the Ravens vs Steelers game, the home team again has the advantage as the combination of QB ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown will, in all probability, devastate the Ravens secondary and score points.

In Sunday’s games, the Cincinnati Bengals are at Indianapolis to face the Colts. Will Colts’ QB Andrew Luck choke in the post season and let through Andy Dalton and the Bengals, who have been knocking on the door for some time? I’m going to go against the grain and pick the Bengals to beat the Colts. In the late game, the Detroit Lions will visit the Dallas Cowboys and even with bad-boy Suh playing for Detroit, the Lions should be prepared to get a sound beating compliments of Tony Romo, Demarco Murray, and a few other guys on that explosive Dallas offence.

It’s going to be a wild and wicked Wild Card weekend. Enjoy the games and don’t forget to place your NFL bets with JustBet — Jamaica’s number one sports betting provider. And make sure to tune in to the JustBet sports betting feature, JustBet Before The Whistle, this and every Thursday at 9:30pm on TVJ.

To find out more about JustBet, including how to bet and where to place your bets, visit www.justbetja.com, ‘like’ us on facebook at www.facebook.com/justbet, ‘follow’ us on twitter at www.twitter.com/justbet_ja, watch our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/justbetja or call our help line toll-free at 1-888-SUPPORT (1-888-787-7678).

NFL WILD CARD PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE & JUSTBET POINT SPREADS

*Point Spread (or handicap) – number of points that one team is favoured over another.

*Under/Over (U/O) – A bet on whether the combined points in a game will be greater or lesser than a particular number

Saturday, January 3

CAR PANTHERS v ARI CARDINALS +4.5, U/O 38.5

PIT STEELERS v BAL RAVENS +3.5, U/O 47.5

Sunday, January 4

IND COL_S v CIN BENGALS +5.5, U/O 49.5

DAL COWBOYS v DET LIONS +7.5, U/O 48.5

*Handicaps and Under/Over are subject to change before kick-off

EXPERTS’ PICKS AGAINST THE SPREAD

Mark Archer’s Wild Card Play-off picks (in bold)

PANTHERS v CARDINALS

STEELERS v RAVENS

COLTS v BENGALS

COWBOYS v LIONS

Last week’s record: 11-5

Regular Season Record: 137-119

REGULAR SEASON PICKS CHAMPION

Peter Lindo’s Wild Card Play-off picks (in bold)

PANTHERS v CARDINALS

STEELERS v RAVENS

COLTS v BENGALS

COWBOYS v LIONS

Last week’s record: 11-5

Regular Season Record: 132-124

Andre Hutchinson’s Wild Card Play-off picks (in bold)

PANTHERS v CARDINALS

STEELERS v RAVENS

COLTS v BENGALS

COWBOYS v LIONS

Last week’s record: 6-10

Regular Season Record: 131-125

Tony Scott’s Wild Card Play-off picks (in bold)

PANTHERS v CARDINALS

STEELERS v RAVENS

COLTS v BENGALS

COWBOYS v LIONS

Last week’s record: 11-5

Regular Season Record: 129-127

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Play-off time in the NFL as wild card round begins

Leaders look to cement places in next round

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer

Saturday, October 11, 2014    

MAY PEN, Clarendon — Half of the 16 spots in the expanded quarter-finals of the ISSA/LIME daCosta Cup football competition could be filled after this afternoon’s second round of matches in the Inter-zone round.

The top two teams in each of the eight zones will advance to the next round and eight of the nine schools which scored wins in Wednesday’s first set of games could secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The race, however, will be for the coveted place in the first round of the inaugural Lime Super Cup Knockout that offers the winners $1 million plus an impressive crystal trophy. Only the winners of the zones will be eligible for the LIME Super Cup, however, and they will battle the top eight from the Manning Cup.

Today, former champions Glenmuir High and St James High will clash in the feature game of the round in the second game of a double header at Juici Field in May Pen where the winner will advance, while another seven schools will also advance with wins.

Petersfield from Zone 1, Frome from Zone 2, defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Manchester from Zone 3, Clarendon College from Zone 4, Cedric Titus and Old Harbour from Zone 5 were winners on Wednesday and are in the drivers’ seats in the zones.

Glenmuir High and St James, who both advanced to the Inter-zone round via different routes, were winners on Wednesday and no quarters will be asked and none given in today’s game that could decide the zone winners.

Glenmuir, winners of Zone M in the first round, were 2-0 winners over Morant Bay High, while St James High, one of the best third-placed teams, blanked another former champion Vere Technical 3-0.

Defending champions STETHS along with Manchester High will start favourites to win their games in Zone 3 against Edwin Allen High and Holmwood Technical, respectively, and set up a winner-take-all clash next Tuesday.

Edwin Allen High are coming off a 0-2 loss to Manchester High on Wednesday and will have to create the biggest upset of the season to deny STETHS in their own backyard.

Holmwood Technical will also need to lift their game several levels if they hope to keep their chances of advancing alive at the expense of Manchester High.

At Jarrett Park, Petersfield High will be confident coming off a win over a depleted Rusea’s High team but will face a Cornwall College team that was held goalless for the first time this season and will be desperate for goals.

Cornwall College led the competition with 33 goals in the first round but a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping by Muschett’s David Swaby frustrated them for 90 minutes at Jarrett Park on Wednesday. Today, top scorers Jourdaine Fletcher and Alrick Ottey, who have combined for 16 goals, will resume their hunt for goals against Petersfield.

In the first game at Jarrett Park, Muschett High will seek to keep their qualifying hopes alive as they take on a Rusea’s team that lost its three best players to the National Under-17 team preparing for a World Cup qualifying tournament in Haiti later this month.

Green Pond High have not won any of the four Inter-zone games played between last year and this year and will face a tough Frome Technical team at Frome Sports Grounds.

Frome are coming off a win over a good Godfrey Stewart team and their confidence will be up against Green Pond in a meeting between the teams for the first time.

Clarendon College will be odds on favourites to beat Christiana High at Kirkvine and book their place from Zone 4 ,while Cedric Titus and Old Harbour High are also expected to get by Fair Prospect and Brimmervale, respectively, in Zone 5.

Garvey Maceo will have their sights set on returning to the finals after last year’s meltdown against STETHS and should make another step in that direction when they take on first-time Inter-zone qualifiers Ewarton High at the Bramwell Clarke Complex in Linstead.

The race in Zone 6 is wide open after both games ended in draws on Wednesday, leaving all four teams on one point each.

Another first-time Inter-zone qualifier Oracabessa High will face former champions Dinthill Technical at the Oracabessa Community Centre in one game with Marcus Garvey High and Titchfield meeting at Drax Hall in the other game.

Games today

Christiana vs Clarendon College @ Kirkvine @ 1:00 pm

Rusea’s vs Muschett @ Jarrett Park @ 1:00 pm

Cornwall College vs Petersfield High @ Jarrett Park @ 3:00 pm

Frome Tech vs Green Pond High @ Frome @ 3:00 pm

STETHS vs Edwin Allen @ STETHS @ 3:00 pm

Mile Gully High vs Lacovia @ Manchester High @ 3:00 pm

Manchester High vs Holmwood Tech @ Kirkvine @ 3:00 pm

Brimmervale High vs Old Harbour High @ Oracabessa Comm Centre @ 1:00 pm

Oracabessa High vs Dinthill Tech @ Oracabessa Comm Centre @ 3:00 pm

Fair Prospect vs Cedric Titus @ Snow Hill Field @ 3:00 pm

William Knibb vs Godfrey Stewart @ Drax Hall @ 1:00 pm

Marcus Garvey vs Titchfield @ Drax Hall @ 3:00 pm

Glenmuir High vs St James High @ Juici Field @ 3:00 pm

Vere Tech vs Morant Bay High @ Jamalco @ 3:00 pm

Ewarton High vs Garvey Maceo High @ Bramwell Clarke @ 3:00 pm

Paul Bogle High vs Kemps Hill High @ Lysson Field @ 3:00 pm

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Leaders look to cement places in next round

JC ease into next round of LIME Super Cup Knockout competition

Saturday, October 18, 2014 | 9:53 PM    

ST JAMES, JAMAICA — Defending Manning Cup champions Jamaica College fought valiantly to secure a 2-1 come-from- behind win over Cornwall College in the LIME Super Cup Knockout competition at Catherine Hall Sports Complex Saturday evening.

The multi-time daCosta Cup champions Cornwall College went ahead through a goal from Demario Fowler in the 55th minute of play.

But Rafique Bryan drew his team level in the 63rd minute to set the stage for a thrilling end-to-end battle.

JC went ahead in the 87th minute when Sheldon McKoy buried a cross from substitute Donovan Segree.

Horace Hines

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JC ease into next round of LIME Super Cup Knockout competition

Jamaica wins 1st round U19 regional cricket match

Odane McCatty was solid as Jamaica chased 202 to beat Barbados by six wickets on the final day of their three-day WICB under-19 match in Guyana.

Victory seemed in the balance after two early losses left the team on 87-3 at lunch. However, McCatty’s unbeaten 81 helped to pilot the Jamaicans comfortably home.

Abhaijai Mansingh was with him on 11 as the side reached 205-4. Romaine Morris, 70, was Jamaica’s other chief scorer.

In the other first round matches, the Windward Islands beat Trinidad and Tobago by an innings and 21 runs while host Guyana and Leeward Islands played to a draw.

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Jamaica wins 1st round U19 regional cricket match

Indonesia moves Miss World final round to Bali

News

Saturday, September 07, 2013 | 11:48 AM

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s government has moved the final round of the Miss World pageant from main Java island to the resort island of Bali amid protests by hard-line Muslims against the contest, an official said Saturday.The decision, announced by Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono, makes Bali the sole location for the event, which opens Sunday.The final round was initially set for September 28 in Sentul, on the outskirts of Jakarta, the capital.“The changes are made in accordance with people’s aspirations and for the sake of Indonesia’s tourism development,” Laksono told a news conference. “So the event will be held completely in Bali.”Bali is the only Hindu-dominated province in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country.Laksono said, however, that the contestants would not be prevented from visiting other parts of the country.Muslim hard-line groups have protested in Jakarta and other cities, urging the government to cancel the contest.Rejection of the event has also come from the country’s most influential clerics’ group, the Indonesia Ulema Council, which argues that exposure of skin by women in such a competition violates Islamic teachings.Jamaica’s Gina Hargitay is representing the island in this year’s competition.Miss Jamaica World Gina Hargitay

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Indonesia moves Miss World final round to Bali

Indonesia moves Miss World final round to Bali

Latest News

Saturday, September 07, 2013 | 11:48 AM

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s government has moved the final round of the Miss World pageant from main Java island to the resort island of Bali amid protests by hard-line Muslims against the contest, an official said Saturday.The decision, announced by Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono, makes Bali the sole location for the event, which opens Sunday.The final round was initially set for September 28 in Sentul, on the outskirts of Jakarta, the capital.“The changes are made in accordance with people’s aspirations and for the sake of Indonesia’s tourism development,” Laksono told a news conference. “So the event will be held completely in Bali.”Bali is the only Hindu-dominated province in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country.Laksono said, however, that the contestants would not be prevented from visiting other parts of the country.Muslim hard-line groups have protested in Jakarta and other cities, urging the government to cancel the contest.Rejection of the event has also come from the country’s most influential clerics’ group, the Indonesia Ulema Council, which argues that exposure of skin by women in such a competition violates Islamic teachings.Jamaica’s Gina Hargitay is representing the island in this year’s competition.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserverMiss Jamaica World Gina Hargitay

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Indonesia moves Miss World final round to Bali

Rallying round Marcus Garvey

Entertainment

BY BASIL WALTERS Observer writer Sunday, July 21, 2013

THE son of South African anti-Apartheid icon Steve Biko is among the guests for a two-day festival marking the 116th anniversary of Pan-African giant Marcus Garvey.Nkosinathi Biko will attend the event, scheduled for Rio Nuevo Village in St Mary, starting August 17, Garvey’s birthday.It concludes the following day with a tribute concert featuring several top dancehall/reggae acts.Big Stone Records are main promoters of the event which will also have Garvey’s son Dr Julius Garvey and Pastor Ray Hagins as guest speakers. Claude Sinclair of Big Stone Records spoke to the Sunday Observer about Biko’s attendance.“Marcus Garvey is the father of black consciousness, and we see it fit to invite the son of Steve Biko who was a scholar of Marcus Garvey,” he said. “We want to do this every year, bringing the different people who were motivated by Marcus Garvey, to show the people that Garvey is not just a national hero in Jamaica, but an international hero.”Steve Biko is a martyr of the anti-Apartheid movement. He was a vocal opponent of the South African government’s policy of racial discrimination and division, a stance that cost him his life.He died in police custody in 1977.The St Ann-born Garvey was a mainstay of the Harlem Renaissance in New York City during the 1920s. Imprisoned by the United States government for mail fraud in 1923, he was deported to Jamaica four years later.In 1935, he moved to London where he died from a stroke in 1940.The Jamaican government brought his body back to Jamaica in 1964. He was named the country’s first national hero that year.

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Rallying round Marcus Garvey

Westwood leads Woods going to final round of Open

GULLANE, Scotland (AP) — Lee Westwood is positioned to win the first major title of his career.

Boy, does that sound familiar.Long considered one of the best players without a signature win on his resume, the Englishman curled in a 60-foot eagle putt on the way to a 1-under 70 that put him two strokes ahead of Tiger Woods and Hunter Mahan in the British Open yesterday.The 40-year-old Westwood has been a perennial contender in majors, finishing second or third a staggering seven times.But he’s never been able to finish the job.He’ll try to do it today at baked-out Muirfield, playing in the final group with Mahan.Woods will be in the next-to-last pairing after shooting 72, a stumble at the end leaving him two shots behind Westwood’s 54-hole total of 3-under 210.They are the only three players under par for the championship.Adam Scott is again a contender for the claret jug, though this time he’ll have to come from behind. Last year, he seemed to have it wrapped up at Lytham until he bogeyed the final four holes, a stunning collapse that left him one stroke behind Ernie Els.Scott matched Westwood’s 70 and was at 213.Miguel Angel Jimenez, the popular 36-hole leader, faded from contention on a miserable day. The Mechanic bogeyed four of the first eight holes, unable to scramble for pars as he did the first two days when his drives and iron shots got away from him. He limited the damage with birdies at the ninth and 13th, but things can turn quickly at Muirfield.Jimenez bogeyed the 14th, took a double-bogey at the 16th when he needed two swings to escape a towering pot bunker alongside the green, and a lipped-out putt on 17 gave him another bogey. The 49-year-old staggered to the finish with a 77 and 216 total, his one-shot lead after Friday now a six-shot deficit going to today.Those closing holes were crucial.One shot ahead of Woods, Westwood faced the possible three-shot swing at the 16th when he yanked his tee shot into the tall grass, far left of the green, and Woods plopped his ball about 20 feet away from the flag on the right.Westwood whacked at his ball but couldn’t make it onto the green, watching it roll back to the edge of the second cut. Then he putted it up the hill, the ball stopping about 15 feet short of the cup. As Woods lined up a possible birdie, Westwood knew he could do no better than bogey — or worse.Woods’ putt stopped right alongside the hole, a tap-in par. Westwood calmly rolled his ball right in the centre of the cup, having surrendered only one stroke to his playing partner.As it turned out, the big swing came at the next hole. Westwood made another clutch putt on the par-5 17th, sinking a 12-footer for birdie. Woods made a sloppy bogey after a baffling mistake, shanking his second shot in a fairway bunker.They both made par at the final hole, denying Woods at least a share of the 54-hole lead in a major for the first time since the 2009 US PGA Championship.Woods has never won any of his 14 major titles when trailing after three rounds. He had never lost one from that position, either, until YE Yang pulled off a stunning upset at Hazeltine nearly four years ago.Woods still has a shot at moving closer to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles.Westwood briefly put himself three shots clear of the field on the front side, the most memorable shot a long, curling putt off the front of the fifth green for eagle. Woods fought back into a tie as they made the turn, Westwood grabbed the lead again with a birdie at the 14th, before Woods pulled even at 16.

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Westwood leads Woods going to final round of Open