Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EST on Thursday, Jan 1

Jan 1 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Thursday: - - - - The duty editor is Mark Lamport-Stokes, 310-527-1345 - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Resurgent Cowboys headline wildcard weekend MIAMI - The Dallas Cowboys return to the playoffs on Sunday after a four-year absence seeking their first Super Bowl appearance since their victory in 1995. We preview a wildcard weekend featuring four games, headlined by the Cowboys who host the Detroit Lions. (NFL-WILDCARD/ (PREVIEW), moved, by Simon Evans, 400 words) - - Wildcard weekend previews Keys to the game, matchups to watch and facts for all four NFL wildcard weekend matchups. (FBN-TEAM-TEAM-NOTEBOOK, expect by 3 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, 400-450 words per game) - - Wildcard preview: Lions at Cowboys Postseason failures define the recent history of these teams. Quarterback play will determine the wildcard matchup. (FBN-LIONS-COWBOYS-NOTEBOOK, expect by 3 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, by Jeff Reynolds, 415 words) - - Wild Card preview: Bengals at Colts Cincinnati has not won a playoff game in 24 years and never have the Bengals won a postseason game on the road. Can they overpower a Colts' offensive line dogged by injuries to control Sunday's AFC wildcard game? (FBN-LIONS-COWBOYS-NOTEBOOK, expect by 3 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, by Jeff Reynolds, 415 words) - - Wild Card preview: Cardinals at Panthers Carolina (7-9) might not bring a trophy record to the playoffs, but the home team in Saturday's game has a winning streak and a defense that could harass Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley. (FBN-CARDINALS-PANTHERS-NOTEBOOK, expect by 3 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, by Derek Harper, 415 words) - - Wildcard preview: Lions at Cowboys Postseason failures define the recent history of these teams. Quarterback play will determine the wildcard matchup. (FBN-LIONS-COWBOYS-NOTEBOOK, expect by 3 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, by Jeff Reynolds, 415 words) - - NFL End-of-season review Detailed reports from all non-playoff teams reviewing 2014 and looking ahead at 2015. (FBN-TEAM-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 1,200-1,500 words per team) - - Analysis of 20 NFL teams that missed playoffs The Sports Xchange's pro football experts offer in-depth post-mortems on each team left out of post-season party. - - GIANTS: Coughlin now needs to fix defense Coach keeps his job after resurrecting offense, now must address leaky defense. - - EAGLES: Fast-paced generosity must stop Will coach Chip Kelly figure a way to get his former college QB, Marcus Mariota? - - REDSKINS: Gruden gets mulligan after 4-12 season RG3 is overdue to prove he can lead at quarterback. - - BEARS: A Long look at next coach Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long identifies Chicago's big need -- an identity. - - VIKINGS: 7-9 record does not tell the story Offense, defense showed dramatic improvement in first year under coach Mike Zimmer - - FALCONS: Did Ryan's contract cause defensive mess? After blowing budget on QB, defense was left wanting. - - SAINTS: Payton says losing stinks, promises changes Turnovers (minus 13) sabotage prolific offense, but all aspects of team will be under close scrutiny. - - BUCCANEERS: Season went wrong right from the start New quarterback, offensive coordinator still needed to get this team moving in right direction. - - RAMS: Fisher says team is on the right track Healthy quarterback and ability to finish games are necessary in tough NFC West. - - 49ERS: Whatever could go wrong did Harbaugh bolts for Michigan as team seeks new coach to put this puzzle back together. - - BILLS: Bitter ending as meager progress not enough Kyle Orton retires, quarterback position needs to be solidified. - - DOLPHINS: Another December slide ruins season Coach Joe Philbin seeks magic formula, personnel to create consistency. - - JETS: Owner pressured to make right choices With coach Rex Ryan and GM John Idzik gone, owner Woody Johnson is under pressure to find capable leadership. - - BROWNS: Rude welcome for rookie coach First-year head coach Mike Pettine must restore order to a team that sunk under the weight of drama and suspensions this season. - - TEXANS: O'Brien not pleased with 9-7 record After barely missing wild card spot, coach believes Houston can compete for a Super Bowl in 2015. - - JAGUARS: Bortles brings some hope Jacksonville staff feels it took a step forward with quarterback of the future, young talent at receiver and on front line. - - TITANS: Disappointed franchise still seeking identity Coach Ken Whisenhunt, general manager Ruston Webster have a lot of questions to answer. First they must know the right questions. - - CHIEFS: Don't blame the defense General manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid need to pump life into an offense that failed to have a wide receiver catch a touchdown all season. - - RAIDERS: Wanted -- home, head coach Interim head coach Tony Sparano wants to keep job after closing with three home victories, but after 2015 the franchise may also be looking for another home. - - CHARGERS: Team wastes promising 5-1 start List of injuries, especially to quarterback Philip Rivers, led to December demise. - - NFL roundup News and notes from around the league. (FBN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 7:45 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - - - COLLEGE FOOTBALL Mariota-Winston: Top NFL prospects take Rose stage The Rose Bowl is an historic game for multiple reasons. For NFL scouts, the prime matchup between the top two prospects potentially available in 2015 brings extra intrigue. (FBN-DRAFT, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Rob Rang, 1,033 words) - - Outback Bowl: (19) Auburn vs. (18) Wisconsin TAMPA - Fast-paced Auburn and run-heavy Wisconsin square off at Raymond James Stadium in the Outback Bowl. (FBC-AUBURN-WISCONSIN-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Cotton Bowl: (8) Michigan State vs. (5) Baylor ARLINGTON, Texas - A pair of polished pocket passers, Baylor's Bryce Petty and Connor Cook of Michigan State, lead their teams into a noontime kickoff at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. (FBC-BAYLOR-MICHIGANSTATE-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, The Sports Xchange, by Art Garcia, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Citrus Bowl: (16) Missouri vs. (25) Minnesota ORLANDO - Missouri could get to 11 wins for the second consecutive season for the first time in school history if the Tigers can slow down the Minnesota Gophers' strong running game. (FBC-MISSOURI-MINNESOTA-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, The Sports Xchange, by Dick Scanlon, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - CFP Playoff: Rose Bowl: (2) Oregon vs. (3) Florida State PASADENA, Calif. - The first ever College Football Playoff game, a semi-final matchup that sends the winner to Dallas for the National Championship game, matches Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks against 2013 Heisman Jameis Winston and Florida State. (FBC-OREGON-FLORIDASTATE-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, The Sports Xchange, by Steve Lowery, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - CFP Playoff: Sugar Bowl: (1) Alabama vs. (4) Ohio State NEW ORLEANS - Coach Nick Saban and Alabama can return to the national title game with a CFP semi-final victory over old nemesis Urban Meyer and Ohio State. (FBC-ALABAMA-OHIOSTATE-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, The Sports Xchange, by Peter Finney, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Nuggets at Bulls CHICAGO - The Bulls are back on the court after their seven-game winning streak was squashed Tuesday as the Denver Nuggets enter the United Center eyeing their first win on the road in seven games. (BKN-BULLS-NUGGETS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect ASAP after 8 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, by Tom Musick, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - NBA Roundup The latest moves and news from the NBA. (BKN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Winter Classic: Capitals vs. Blackhawks WASHINGTON - The Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks take it outside for the 2015 Winter Classic at Nationals Park. (HKN-CAPITALS-BLACKHAWKS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect ASAP after 1 p.m. ET start, by Todd Karpovich, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - NHL Roundup The latest moves and news from the NHL. (HKN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - TENNIS Wrist injury rules Del Potro out of Brisbane event Argentine Juan del Potro has withdrawn from next week's Brisbane International due to a persistent left wrist injury, tournament officials announced on Thursday. (TENNIS-BRISBANE/DELPOTRO, moved, 300 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - - -