Jackson Free Press

You know it's been a strange year when Tony Romo is more reliable than Drew Brees. The Saints misses the playoffs for several reasons. Their quarterback is one of them.

Thursday, Dec. 25

NBA (1:30-4 p.m., ABC): Defending champions the San Antonio Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder in battle between title contenders. ... NBA (4-7 p.m., ABC): LeBron James returns to Miami to face the Heat for the first time since he rejoined the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Friday, Dec. 26

College football (12-3 p.m., ESPN): Illinois looks to get the Big Ten off to a fast start in bowl games when they face Louisiana Tech out of Conference USA.

Saturday, Dec. 27

College football (1-5 p.m., CBS): Arizona State out of the Pac-12 takes on one of the most surprising stories of this decade—the rise of Duke Blue Devil football.

Sunday, Dec. 28

NFL (12-3:30 p.m., Fox): This season mercifully comes to an end for the New Orleans Saints as they hit the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Monday, Dec. 29

College football (8-11 p.m., ESPN): Watch a matchup between former Southwest Conference members, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas Longhorns, in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

College football (2-5:30 p.m., ESPN): See a marquee matchup between two teams that didn't reach expectations as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish face the LSU Tigers in the Music City Bowl.

Wednesday, Dec. 31

College football (11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., ESPN): The Ole Miss Rebels' defense looks to shut down the TCU Horned Frogs in the highly anticipated bowl. ... College Football (7-11 p.m. ESPN): Mississippi State Bulldogs look to get their first win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their fifth meeting overall.

New Orleans' defense regressed this season and couldn't get off the field on third down. Still, Brees looked like his arm had lost some momentum this season, and his decision-making wasn't his best.