adplus-dvertising
Connect with us

Sports

OPP officer faces fraud charges linked to theft of Gretzky memorabilia

Published

 on

After the worst week for Pro Picks all season — we looked like the Saints, as in unprepared — our confidence isn’t shaken. Well, not too much.Having to start with the slumping Raiders hosting the who-knows-what-they-are Chargers is not the most enticing way to rebound. It’s difficult to find the positives in Sin City — there’s an understatement to some — but clearly Jon Gruden recognized the defensive deficiencies of his team by firing co-ordinator Paul Guenther.“We have to do everything better, honestly,” Gruden said of his defence. “Not just one kind of run. Inside runs, outside runs, the run game. With that said, you have to stop the play-action pass and we have to stop a lot of other things that have been problematic. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we have good players here.”As for the Chargers, sure they beat Atlanta last weekend, with the Falcons pretty much handing over the win. And they tend to play some better teams close.Las Vegas, No. 16 in the AP Pro32, is a 3 1-2 point favourite over the No. 26 Chargers. Some lukewarm support for Gruden’s bunch.RAIDERS, 27-22KNOCKOUT POOL: At least we got this right in Week 14 with the Seahawks. That leaves us pulling for TENNESSEE.No. 32 New York Jets (plus 16) at No. 6 Los Angeles RamsYes, this is a case of piling it on, exactly what the Rams will do to the winless New Yorkers.BEST BET: RAMS, 40-10No. 18 New England (plus 3) at No. 13 MiamiThe Dolphins usually do well at home vs. the Patriots, but they are so undermanned.UPSET SPECIAL, PATRIOTS 20-16No. 1 Kansas City (minus 3 1-2) at No. 4 New OrleansIt’s unfair to pick this game without knowing Drew Brees’ status.CHIEFS, 24-21No. 3 Buffalo (minus 6) at No. 21 Denver, SaturdayThink the Broncos regret they ignored that QB in Wyoming, Josh Allen, back in 2018?BILLS, 27-15No. 25 Carolina (plus 8 1-2) at No. 2 Green Bay, SaturdayThe Packers have their sights set on that lone NFC playoffs bye.PACKERS, 30-19No. 10 Cleveland (minus 3 1-2) at No. 20 New York GiantsA letdown by the Browns would not be a shocker here.BROWNS, 23-21No. 31 Jacksonville (plus 13 1-2) at No. 11 BaltimoreEven with a letdown here, the Ravens should prevail.RAVENS, 24-16No. 28 Houston (plus 7) at No 8 (tie) IndianapolisAfter that Texans stinker in Chicago, why is this spread so low?COLTS, 30-20No. 24 Detroit (plus 10 1-2) at No. 8 (tie) TennesseeAs with the Saints’ Brees, not knowing Matt Stafford’s status is troubling. So a hedge:TITANS, 30-22 (if Stafford plays)TITANS, 30-15 (if Stafford sits)No. 22 San Francisco (minus 2 1-2) at No. 29 DallasThis line, with the 49ers so banged up, shows how far Dallas has fallen.COWBOYS, 20-19No. 7 Seattle (minus 5) at No. 15 WashingtonImagine this: A Washington win has it at .500 in the NFC East. Sorry …SEAHAWKS, 20-13No. 12 Tampa Bay (minus 5 1-2) at No. 27 AtlantaTom Brady vs. Matt Ryan. No huge comeback needed this time.BUCCANEERS, 27-22No. 5 Pittsburgh (minus 12 1-2) at No. 30 Cincinnati, Monday nightYes, the Steelers have some issues after two straight defeats. This will cheer them up.STEELERS, 30-9No. 19 Chicago (plus 3) at No. 17 MinnesotaSomehow, both of these teams are in the playoff hunt.VIKINGS, 23-16No. 23 Philadelphia (plus 6 1-2) at No. 14 ArizonaKyler Murray and Jalen Hurts should provide some entertainment in this one.CARDINALS, 25-17___2020 RECORDLast Week: Straight up: 7-9. Against spread: 5-9-1Season: Straight up: 136-71-1. Against spread: 103-90-5Best Bet: Straight up: 11-3. Against spread: 7-7Upset Special: Straight up: 6-8. Against spread: 6-6-2___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLBarry Wilner, The Associated Press

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

728x90x4

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

Published

 on

 

TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

 on

 

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

 on

 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending