NFL Playoffs are set

The first day in 2006 brought to close the last weekend of regular season NFL action. Locally, there wasn't any action but Canucks play tomorrow in St. Louis so we'll break down that matchup

Singing the Blues

The Canucks are coming off a disappointing 4-3 loss to Minnesota going into tomorrow's game vs St. Louis. Tomorrow's opponent, the Blues are a terrible team, 9-22-5 worst in the NHL and just 4-12-3 at home. Tkachuk is still out with the broken knuckles, meanwhile Weight and Sillinger are the leading scorers on the team. Goaltending has also been a problem, Lalime struggled early in the season but Sanford has been decent and was recently reactivated. Coming off the dismal apthetic Minnesota loss, the Canucks should pounce all over the Blues and win by 2+. But you never know, the Canucks are a team playing with little emotion and desire right now, I wouldn't be surprised if they slept their way through this one.

NFL Roundup

Brett Favre likely has played his last game in Green Bay. If it is indeed his last, Favre will go down as one of the greatest to ever play. Everyone has a favorite Favre moment, mine is the MNF game he played after the loss of his father.

Shaun Alexander sets the single season TD record. After feeling that he got slighted last year by Head Coach Mike Holmgren, Alexander got his chance to set the TD record and claim the Season Rushing Title today.

Texans win Reggie Bush sweepstakes. It had to go to OT, but the Texans found ways to lose the game (intentionally or unintentially you make the call) and are now poised to pick Reggie Bush first overall in the NFL Draft next April. In other Texans news, Capers is officially done.

Doug Flutie pulls one from his bag of tricks. In a bizarre yet intruiging play, Flutie drop kicks into the end zone for a single point for the Patriots. The Patriots won the game. Could be Flutie's last play in professional football.

Steelers clinch, so do the Redskins. The playoff picture is now complete. The best team to not make the playoffs in my mind is San Diego, having beaten the Colts at their best.

Fiesta Bowl Best of Action Tomorrow

The Fiesta Bowl between #4 Ohio State vs #5 Notre Dame is the best matchup of the all Bowl games leading up to the Rose Bowl on Wednesday. The Buckeyes Defense look to stop the Irish led by the Nation's Defensive Linebacker of the year AJ Hawk. The Irish are led by QB Brady Quinn who has thrived under new Head Coach Charlie Weis new offensive scheme. The Buckeyes are a 5 point favorite but I really like Notre Dame here. QB Brady Quinn has matured tremendously in just one year and the Irish have been a resiliant team all year. The 2 losses, 1 against Michigan in OT early in the season, and 1 against top-ranked USC on the last play of the game. Again, should be a great matchup.

What's on TV
NHL, Vancouver vs St. Louis, 5:00pm PST on Sportsnet
College FB, Notre Dame vs Ohio State, 2:00pm PST on ABC
College FB, West Virginia vs Georgia, 5:30pm PST on ABC
World Junior Hockey, Sweden vs Finland, 4:00pm PST on TSN
World Junior Hockey, USA vs Czech Republic, 8:00pm PST on TSN

Picks of the Day
Phoenix Suns -6 over NY Knicks
Philadephia Flyers -160 over Boston Bruins
Record YTD (3-9, -728)