The Saints will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round. Former ULM star and Philadelphia Coach Doug Pederson is now 4-0 in the playoffs as a head coach. The Eagles stunned the Bears 16-15 yesterday with a dramatic wild card win in the Windy City. Pederson and quarterback Nick Foles have been unstoppable in the postseason the last two seasons
cut 17 (15) on the sideline”
The Eagles and Saints will meet for a second time this season at 3:40 on Sunday. New Orleans smashed Philly 48-7 in the Superdome on November 18th.

Tonight is college football’s national championship game as Nick Saban seeks his seventh national title as Alabama faces Clemson for a fourth time in four years.

After beating Cleveland on Saturday, who has the worst record in the NBA, the Pelicans host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. Memphis is three-games under the .500 mark. New Orleans is 18-and-22 and in 14th place in the Western Conference. But the Pels have a chance to start a win streak. They play the Grizzlies on Monday, Cleveland on Wednesday and Minnesota on Saturday. The Timberwolves fired head coach Tom Thibodeau yesterday.

The LSU’s men’s basketball team will return to the hardwood tomorrow after an 11-game lay-off. They’ll host Alabama, who upset 13th ranked Kentucky 77-75 on Saturday.

ULM is one of three teams to start Sun Belt play with a 2-0 record as the Warhawks defeated Arkansas State 85-75. Daishon Smith had 24 points. ULM is at Georgia Southern on Saturday.

Grambling and Southern both lost in their SWAC openers. They play again tonight. The Tigers are at Alabama A-and-M, while Southern hosts Texas Southern.

The top-seeded Saints have the weekend off from playoff football, but there are three teams playing this weekend to keep an eye on. Depending on how the games shake out, the Cowboys, Seahawks, or Eagles could head to the Big Easy next Sunday. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the most dangerous of the three, Dallas, gave the Black and Gold one of their three losses this year…
Cut 13 (10) “…Dak Prescott.”
The Cowboys take on the Seahawks in Arlington on Saturday night, where the winner will likely head to New Orleans, unless the Eagles upset the Bears on Sunday.

Former LSU standouts Kevin Mawae and Alan Faneca, along with former Destrehan High school football star Ed Reed are among the 15 modern era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019. It’s the first time Reed has been eligible. We find out who gets in on February 2nd.

President Trump has signed legislation that results in former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. Gleason’s work through the Team Gleason Foundation has helped A-L-S sufferers and others have access to speech-generating devices and other tools. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the US Mint will design the medal and Gleason will be honored later this year.

In college basketball last night….ULM’s Daishon Smith scored a career-high 42 points as the Warhawks defeated Little Rock 97-84 in the Sun Belt Opener. Smith hit 10 of 12 shots from three-point land.

Louisiana Tech fell behind by 19 on the road at North Texas and lost to the Mean Green 63-59. Junior DaQuan Bracey had 22 points for the Bulldogs.
And the Ragin Cajuns lost to Arkansas State 94-83, despite 25 points from Marcus Stroman.

The Saints are not required to release an injury report, because they do not have a game this week. But we know several players have been sitting out of practice this week. According to Nick Underhill of the Advocate, Alex Okafor, Cameron Jordan, Terron Armstead, Jermon Bushrod, Andrus Peat and Larry Warford have missed practice the last two days.

President Trump has signed legislation that will result in former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. Gleason’s work through the Team Gleason Foundation has helped provide A-L-S sufferers and others have access to speech-generating devices and other tools. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the US Mint will design the medal and Gleason will be honored later this year.

According to Bet-online, the Saints are the favorites to win Super Bowl 53. They put New Orleans’ chances at 5 to 2. Kansas is at 9-to-2, followed by the Rams who are at 11-to-2. New England is 6 to 1.

La Tech needs to find a new defensive coordinator. Blake Baker has left the Bulldogs for the same job at Miami, where Manny Diaz was just named the head coach. Baker has been in Ruston since 2014 and this past season the Bulldogs finished 27th in the nation in total defense.

In college basketball…Louisiana Tech takes a seven-game winning streak into North Texas tonight. U-N-T is on an 11-game winning streak and they are 13-and-1 overall, their best start since 1952-53.

ULM has a winning record as the Warhawks begin Sun Belt play tonight by hosting Little Rock. And the Ragin Cajuns host Arkansas State. It’s UL-Lafayette’s first game without senior captain Malik Marquetti. The senior transfer from USC was averaging 15 points a game, before suffering a season-ending injury on Saturday.

Southland Conference play started last night, McNeese defeated Incarnate Word 88-77 as Roydell Brown had his seventh double-double. Nicholls dribbled past Northwestern State 78-72 as Gavin Peppers poured in a career-high 24 points and Southeastern Louisiana lost to Stephen F Austin 65-60, despite having a nine point lead in the first half.

The Pelicans fell to 17-and-22 on the season last night with a 126 to 121 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Anthony Davis grabbed a franchise record 26 rebounds and scored 34 points, while Elfrid Payton added 25 points and seven assists in the loss. Brooklyn led 73-58 at halftime and they hit 16 three-pointers on the night.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has been named by the National League of Junior Cotillions as the one of the top ten best mannered people. Brees received honor for his exemplary conduct both on and off the field and outstanding contributions to families in need through the Brees Dream Foundation.

ESPN reports the Saints Alex Okafor will still receive a 400-thousand dollar bonus even though he failed to record five sacks on the season. Okafor finished with four sacks, one sack short of triggering the incentive that was contained his contract. But apparently the Saints will give him the bonus anyway.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association names St. Thomas More’s Caleb Holstein Holstein as the Class 4A Offensive MVP. Holstein threw for 3,847 yards and 47 touchdowns for the Cougars who reached the Division Two state title game. Leesville’s Robbie Causey was named the Class Four-A Coach of the Year as the Wampus Cats had the school’s first ever undefeated regular season in school history.

There is no talk of a national championship at U-C-F today. LSU ended the Knights 25-game winning streak with a 40-32 win in the Fiesta Bowl. Quarterback Joe Burrow bounced back from an early pick six and a crushing hit to throw for 394 yards and four touchdowns…..
cut 15 (10) “….keep working”
The Tigers had 555 yards of total offense. Kicker Cole Tracy made four field goals and set the school record for most field goals in a season with 29. LSU also celebrates its first ten-win season since 2013.

The Tigers avoided the upset, but Georgia did not in last night’s Sugar Bowl as 15th ranked Texas beat the fifth ranked Bulldogs 28-21. It’s the Longhorns first ten-win season since 2009 and they open next year by hosting Louisiana Tech and LSU.

After losing to the Carolina Panthers 33-14 in the regular season finale, the Saints say they will use the extra week before their January 13th playoff game to focus on fundamentals. New Orleans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins says the mistakes they made against the Panthers are fixable
Cut 19 (15) “…from there”
The week off allows Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell to interview for head coaching vacancies. Campbell will reportedly speak with the Browns, Packers and Cardinals later this week.

In the NBA, the Pelicans begin a two-game road trip tonight in Brooklyn. The Nets have won six of their last seven game homes.

LSU is Fiesta Bowl champs after outscoring Central Florida 40-32 on New Year Day. Quarterback Joe Burrow had a career day with 394 yards passing and four touchdowns. A short-handed Tigers defense also played well, despite several injuries, suspensions and losing a couple of players because of ejections. They held U-C-F to 250 total yards. Defensive end Rashard Lawrence had two of the Tigers five sacks…
cut 17 (19) on pushing”
LSU’s defense also forced two turnovers. The Tigers get to enjoy their first 10-win season since 2013.

At the Sugar Bowl last night, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger ran for three touchdowns as the Longhorns upset Georgia 28-21. The sophomore Q-B had 64 yards rushing and threw for 169 yards. Longhorn players say the once proud Texas football program is back. They’ll open next season by hosting Louisiana Tech and LSU.

The Saints are getting ready to host either Dallas, Seattle or Philadelphia on January 13th in the NFC Divisional round. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins says they will spend this week focusing on themselves after finishing the regular season with a loss to Carolina…
cut 20 (16) “…as well”

The Pelicans are in Brooklyn tonight to face the Nets.

In a wild game that featured several big plays, ejections and four touchdown passes from quarterback Joe Burrow, the 11th ranked LSU Tigers ended UCF’s 25-game winning streak with a 40-32 victory. It was Burrow’s best game as an LSU Tiger, despite throwing a pick six in the 1st quarter that gave UCF a 14-3 lead in the first quarter.

Burrow rebounded to throw for 394 yards. Freshman Ja’Marr Chase had a break out game as he caught six passes for 93 yards and toucdown. Justin Jefferson had two touchdown catches.

LSU struggled in the red zone, but Cole Tracy kicked four field goals to set an NCAA record for most career field goals.
Despite playing short-handed on defense, the Tigers held one of the nation’s most explosive offenses to 250 yards and sacked UCF quarterback Darriel Mack five times. It’s LSU’s first 10-win season since 2013.
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Tonight in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, the 5th ranked Georgia Bulldogs will face 15th ranked Texas. The Bulldogs will want to show they should have been in the college football playoffs, while the Longhorns are seeking their 10th win of the season as they make their fourth appearance in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The Saints first playoff game is not until January 13th and Coach Sean Payton says that gives them time to improve on the fundamentals. Payton is not happy with how his team performed in Sunday’s 33-14 home loss to Carolina. New Orleans will play either Dallas, Seattle or Philadelphia in the NFC divisional round.

The Pelicans celebrated the new year by beating Minnesota 123-114 last night. Anthony Davis did not play because of illness, but Elfrid Payton returned from a broken finger and it helped spark a nine-point win. Julius Randle led the way with 33 points and 11 rebounds.

In college hoops, Ragin Cajuns announce second leading scorer Malike Marquetti is out for the season with a knee injury.

At high noon today, it’s LSU versus Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl. Both teams say they have a lot to play for. The Knights are looking to extend their winning streak to 26 games and they want to prove to college football fans that they belong with the big boys in the sport. The Tigers are looking for their first 10-win season since 2013 and Coach Ed Orgeron says the seven overtime loss to Texas A-and-M in the regular season finale also serves as motivation in this game…
Cut 30 (11) “…to approach it.”
LSU should have success running the football today. U-C-F allowed 227 yards a game on the ground this season.

In the Mercedes Benz Superdome tonight, fifth ranked Georgia takes on 15th ranked Texas at 7:45.

The Saints first playoff game is not until January 13th and Coach Sean Payton says that gives them time to improve on the fundamentals and techniques. Payton is not happy with how his team performed in Sunday’s 33-14 home loss to Carolina.

Elfrid Payton returned last night after missing 22 games and the Pelicans defeated Minnesota 123 to 114. Payton has only played in seven games this season, but the Pels have won six of them. And New Orleans won last night without Anthony Davis, who was out with an illness. Julius Randle had 33 points and 11 rebounds in A-D’s absence. Darius Miller had a big fourth quarter and finished with 21 points.

In college basketball, the Ragin Cajuns second leading scorer Malik Marquetti will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The Senior was averaging 15 points a game and shooting 45-percent from three-point territory. The U-S-C transfer hurt his knee in Saturday’s win over Southeastern.

After weeks of preparation, LSU and U-C-F will finally get a chance to play each other tomorrow in the Fiesta Bowl. The Knights bring a 25-game winning streak into the contest and an offense that averages 44 points a game. But Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says you can’t overlook U-C-F’s defense led by defensive coordinator Randy Shannon…
cut 12 (12) “…60 minutes”
Kick-off is at noon.

Tonight the Pelicans host the Minnesota Timberwolves and point guard Elfrid Payton is expected to return to action. Payton has missed 31 games this season, mostly due to a broken finger. In those 31 games, New Orleans is 11-20, but they are 5-1 when Payton plays. The Pelicans enter tonight’s game in 14th place in the Western Conference.

Even though the Saints finished the regular season with a 13-and-3 record, Coach Sean Payton is not happy with how his team played Sunday in a 33-14 loss to Carolina. The Panthers started undrafted rookie Kyle Allen at quarterback and the former Houston Cougar threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton on the play of his defense…
cut 17 (09) “…disappointing”
One bright spot, wide receiver Michael Thomas broke Joe Horn’s single-season franchise record for receiving yards. He finished with 1,405 yards for the season.

Could former LSU star Leonard Fournette be finished in Jacksonville? The Jaguars are not happy with their former first round pick after he appeared disengaged from his teammates in yesterday’s regular season finale. The Associated Press is reporting the Jaguars could move to void the remaining guarantees in his four-year contract.

With no Drew Brees, the Saints stumbled in the regular season finale, falling to the Carolina Panthers 33-14. The loss doesn’t hurt the Black and Gold as they already have the number one seed in the NFC. But Coach Sean Payton didn’t like what he saw on Sunday
Cut 16 (12) ready to play”
Carolina led 23-0 at halftime. First time in the Payton era, the Saints were shutout in the first half at home.

But that’s all history now. The franchise can focus on hosting a playoff game on January 13th against either Philadelphia, Seattle or Dallas. New Orleans will play who ever is the lowest seed remaining after the wild card round.

There will be at least one coaching change in the NFC South. Dirk Koetter is out in Tampa Bay after three seasons and back-to-back 5-and-11 campaigns.

We are now a day away from LSU’s matchup with undefeated UCF in the Fiesta Bowl. The Tigers go into this game thin on the defensive line and at cornerback, because of injuries, suspensions and a couple of players have decided to turn pro. Coach Ed Orgeron says they need nose tackle Tyler Shelvin to step up. He’s been hindered during his brief LSU career by injuries and weight issues. Kick-off tomorrow is at noon.

Former Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is the new head coach at Miami after a wild day in south Florida. Yesterday morning, Mark Richt announced his retirement after three years as the head man at his alma mater. Diaz who was named head coach at Temple on December 13th left the Owls to replace Richt as the Hurricanes new head coach.

The Pelicans close out 2019 by hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 7 PM. Point guard Elfrid Payton is expected to play after missing 30 of the last 31 games, mostly due to a broken finger.