Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM ET on Friday, Dec. 27
Dec. 27 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Friday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE No Romo: Season-ending surgery for Cowboys QB Tony Romo undergoes season-ending back surgery, confirming Kyle Orton as starter for Sunday's game against Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East title. (FBN-COWBOYS-NEWS, moved, 375 words, The Sports Xchange) Judge: Week 17 peek Division games that matter set stage for strong final act to 2013 regular season. In no stadium will drama be thicker than in Dallas. (FBN-COLUMN, expect by 2030 GMT/3:30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, by Clark Judge, 800 words) Giants taking business approach to finale EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Justin Tuck has played only for New York Giants. Ditto David Diehl. They're not letting emotion factor into preparation for what could be last hoorah with team. (FBN-GIANTS-NEWS, moved, 591 words, The Sports Xchange, by Patti Traina) Players weigh future in Washington ASHBURN, Va. - Only nine Washington players remain from 2009, season before Mike Shanahan became their coach. Of those nine, seven are unsigned for next year and could play their final game for Washington in Sunday's season finale at New York Giants. (FBN-REDSKINS-NEWS, moved, 577 words, The Sports Xchange, by David Elfin) Packers win big with Rodgers' return GREEN BAY, Wis. - Most anticipated 13 words uttered by Green Bay packers head coach Mike McCarthy came at start of his highly followed news conference: "We're preparing for the Chicago Bears with Aaron Rodgers as our starting quarterback." (FBN-PACKERS-NEWS, moved, 722 words, The Sports Xchange) Panthers pushing for first-round bye CHARLOTTE - Coach Ron Rivera's job changed dramatically Sunday upon beating Saints to clinch return to postseason. How to motivate team schooled to push for playoffs with another game to go? Rivera's message to his team is simple: We haven't won a thing. (FBN-PANTHERS-NEWS, moved, 410 words, The Sports Xchange) Broncos' defense forced into mix-and-patch mindset ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Injuries continue to dent Denver Broncos' defense and loss of pass rusher Von Miller puts coordinator Jack Del Rio in unenviable position of patching holes and praying for positive results. (FBN-BRONCOS-NEWS, moved, 482 words, The Sports Xchange) NFL notebook Latest news and notes from around league. (FBN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 0000 GMT/7 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 500 words) - - - - COLLEGE FOOTBALL Military Bowl: Marshall vs. Maryland ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland wraps up its first successful season in Randy Edsall era with 27-mile trip to meet Marshall. (FBC-MARSHALL-MARYLAND-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU, expect after 1930 GMT/2:30 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Jeff Seidel, 400-word first lead, 700-word write-through) Texas Bowl: Minnesota vs. Syracuse HOUSTON - Minnesota (8-4) is back at Reliant Stadium after blowing late lead to lose 2012 Texas Bowl to Texas Tech. (FBC-MINNESOTA-SYRACUSE-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU, expect after 2300 GMT/6 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by MoiseKapenda Bower, 400-word first lead, 700-word write-through) Fight Hunger Bowl: BYU vs. Washington SAN FRANCISCO - Two 8-4 teams meet with Washington playing its first game without Steve Sarkisian, who left to become head coach at Southern Cal. (FBC-BYU-WASHINGTON-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect after 0230 GMT/9:30 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Jake Curtis, 400-word first lead, 700-word write-through) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Thunder hope to keep making noise Oklahoma City Thunder, winners of nine of their past 10 games, visit Charlotte Bobcats as they chase Portland Trail Blazers in the race for the Western Conference lead in one of nine games on NBA schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0630 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 500 words) Bucks at Nets NEW YORK - Booed off their home court on Christmas, Brooklyn Nets return to take on Milwaukee Bucks, who have league's worst record. (BKN-NETS-BUCKS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect after 0100 GMT/8 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lead, 700-word write-through). - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2014 BOLD PREDICTIONS: Red Sox fall back to the pack Boston erased miserable 2012 with its third World Series title in 10 years, but Red Sox will miss energy of Jacoby Ellsbury atop lineup. What's in store for other 29 teams in baseball? The Sports Xchange polls its team beat writers to find out. (BBO-COLUMN, moved, The Sports Xchange, 2,840 words) - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Blackhawks gunning for conference lead Chicago Blackhawks have chance to pass idle Anaheim Ducks for Western Conference lead as they host Colorado Avalanche in one of 10 games on NHL schedule as league returns from holiday break. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0630 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 0101 GMT/8:01 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)
