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🤯 Coaching Chaos and NBA Best Bets
Plus a preview of the College Football Semifinals
John Harbaugh's 18-season run with the Baltimore Ravens is over. After leading the franchise to a Super Bowl title, 13 playoff wins, and establishing one of the most consistent programs in football, Harbaugh and the Ravens have mutually parted ways. Now the question shifts: where does one of the league's most respected coaches land next?
Unlike most coaching searches where teams are hunting for "the guy," Harbaugh flips the script. He's proven. He's a CEO-style leader who commands respect, builds elite units, and extracts maximum value from rosters. Teams aren't selling him on their vision, he's choosing which situation fits his legacy best. Each option offers him something completely different.
🏙️ New York Giants: Man Among Boys
The Giants are the betting favorites, and it's not hard to see why. After firing Brian Daboll following a 20-40-1 run, New York is desperate for the "adult in the room" who can stabilize a franchise that's had six head coaches since 2016.
The Giants finished 3-13 in 2025, but they have their hopeful franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart. The 2025 first-round pick closed the season strong with a 110.2 passer rating in Week 18 against Dallas. Defensively, Brian Burns finished second in the NFL with 16.5 sacks, and Dexter Lawrence remains a force in the middle. The unit ranked 12th in QB hits (48) and 8th in total tackles (858) during the 2025 season.
He wouldn't need to rebuild from scratch in New York, he'd be stabilizing a young roster and teaching them how to win. New York craves legitimacy and Harbaugh brings 13 playoff wins and a Super Bowl ring. The fit is obvious.
🎰 Las Vegas Raiders: The Harbaugh Bowl
This is the storyline everyone wants. If John lands in Las Vegas, we get the "Harbaugh Bowl" twice every year in the AFC West. His brother Jim coaches the Los Angeles Chargers, creating a rivalry that could dominate headlines and prime-time slots for years to come.
The Raiders are a blank slate. They hold the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving Harbaugh the chance to hand-pick his next franchise quarterback, likely Oregon's Dante Moore or Indiana's Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. The offense was abysmal in 2025, ranking 32nd in points scored (14.19 PPG) and 32nd in rushing yards (74.94 YPG), but there are weapons to work with.
Brock Bowers is an elite tight end, and rookie Ashton Jeanty became the first rookie in NFL history with 900+ rushing yards and 5+ touchdowns in both rushing and receiving. Harbaugh's ability to build a physical, run-first identity would be a massive upgrade for a team that ranked dead last in yards per carry (3.56). He'd have the top pick, young talent, and the infrastructure to build his way.
It’s hard not to mention the Tom Brady factor. The allure of pairing a legendary coach with a legendary QB-turned-owner is the ultimate Hollywood script.
🍑 Atlanta Falcons: The Win-Now Option
If Harbaugh wants to win a Super Bowl immediately, Atlanta might be the move. The Falcons play in the NFC South, which the Panthers won this season despite a losing record (8-9). The path to a division title is wide open, and the roster is arguably the most talented of all current vacancies.
Bijan Robinson led the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,298) in 2025. Kyle Pitts produced 88 catches, the second-most among tight ends. Drake London established himself as a true No. 1 wide receiver. Offensively, the Falcons have everything. Defensively, they showed teeth with James Pearce Jr., who topped all rookies with 10.5 sacks.
Atlanta doesn't need a rebuild, they need a leader who can maximize what's already there. This is the lowest-risk, highest-floor option. Win the division in Year 1, compete for a Super Bowl by Year 2.
🟠 Cleveland Browns: The Revenge Tour
The petty route. Harbaugh stays in the AFC North by joining the Cleveland Browns, giving him two chances every year to face the team that just moved on from him.
Harbaugh is an Ohio native and played at Miami (Ohio). Returning to his roots to fix a franchise that's struggled for decades would be legacy-defining. He'd inherit Myles Garrett, who just set the NFL single-season record with 23.0 sacks in 2025. The defensive foundation is elite.
The problem? Cleveland's ongoing quarterback instability and the "doom and gloom" of a roster rebuild make this the toughest job on the board. It's the highest-degree-of-difficulty play, and while the revenge narrative is compelling, it's hard to see Harbaugh choosing the Browns over the Giants, Raiders, or Falcons.
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🏀 Wednesday Night NBA Props
With 12 games on the board, the key is finding props where recent form, advanced metrics, and defensive matchups all align in the same direction. Tonight delivers four players whose roles, efficiency, and opponents create high-probability opportunities.
Bruce Brown Over 5.5 Assists + Rebounds (-140)
Brown has been automatic in the hustle categories. Over his last 10 games, he's cleared this line in 100% of contests, averaging 8.0 combined assists and rebounds. Even expanding to his last 20 games, he maintains a 70% hit rate at 7.2 combined per game. His current role in Denver's rotation is providing a high floor for these peripheral stats.
On the road this season, Brown is averaging 6.52 combined assists and rebounds, hitting the over in 61.9% of away games. His rebounding efficiency is elite for his position, ranking in the 90th percentile for total rebounds among combo guards and the 92nd percentile for offensive rebounding.
The matchup against Boston is statistically favorable. While the Celtics are a strong overall team, they rank 26th in defensive rebound percentage (0.679), allowing more rebounding opportunities than almost any other elite squad. Brown's high motor and 11.1% assist rate should exploit both second-chance opportunities and defensive lapses.
Kon Knueppel Over 17.5 Points (-102)
Knueppel is in the midst of a significant scoring surge. He's cleared 17.5 points in 9 of his last 10 games, averaging a massive 21.8 PPG during that stretch. His season-long 68.57% hit rate is impressive, but his recent form suggests he's taken on a much larger offensive burden, evidenced by his 85th percentile usage rate among wings.
Knueppel ranks in the 92nd percentile for PPG at his position and is a lethal outside shooter. His efficiency backs up the volume. He holds a 64.0% true shooting percentage (88th percentile) and 61.7% effective field goal percentage (90th percentile).
The matchup against Toronto is one he's historically dominated. In three previous meetings, Knueppel has hit the over in 100% of games, averaging 21.67 points. While Toronto ranks 6th in defense vs. position for points, Knueppel's ability to score from all three levels, including a 92nd percentile rank in short-midrange accuracy, makes him a difficult assignment.
RJ Barrett Over 1.5 Threes Made (-166)
Barrett has become a consistent threat from deep. Over his last 10 games, he's cleared this line in 80% of contests, averaging 2.3 makes per game. His efficiency from the corners is key. Barrett ranks in the 77th percentile for corner three-point percentage, a shot the Raptors' scheme frequently generates.
Charlotte presents a "get right" opportunity for perimeter shooters. The Hornets rank 22nd in effective field goal percentage allowed on threes and are particularly vulnerable to non-corner threes, where they rank 24th in the league. With Barrett averaging 2.0 makes per game on the season, this 1.5 line feels undervalued given Charlotte's defensive lapses.
Cade Cunningham Over 1.5 Threes Made (-158)
Cunningham is the engine of Detroit's offense, and his perimeter shooting has been a major component lately. He's hit at least two three-pointers in 8 of his last 10 games, averaging 2.2 makes. His season-long average of 1.9 makes per game sits comfortably above this line, and his recent 80% hit rate suggests he's locked in.
His usage guarantees the volume needed to clear this prop. Cunningham ranks in the 95th percentile for usage rate among point guards and the 88th percentile for three-point attempts. Chicago's defense is a favorable matchup for high-volume guards. The Bulls rank 25th in defensive rating and struggle with perimeter containment.
🌲 The Pine Line
⚾️ If you thought the Dodgers organization spent all their money, you are so wrong. They’re still eyeing the top free agents.
🥊 Could we see McGregor against Mayweather again, but MMA? Do we even want to?
🤔 Imagine getting 7 job offers within an hour of being fired. Pretty clear who has the leverage in these negotiations.
🔥 Checo finally said what he really thought about his time at Red Bull. The worst experience in F1.
📺️ All eyes on the Winter Olympics. Especially the advertisers.
🏈 College Football Playoff Semifinal
by Ed Egros - Follow on X @EdWithSports
If you returned to work this week dreading yet another round of social planning, college football has you covered with two can't-miss semifinal matchups.
The action kicks off at 7:30p.m. ET Thursday at the Fiesta Bowl between #10 Miami and #6 Ole Miss. The second occurs at 7:30p.m. ET Friday at the Peach Bowl between #5 Oregon and #1 Indiana.
Using Jaxon’s powerful AI tool, here are some best bets sure to shake off those winter doldrums:
Miami -3.5 vs Ole Miss (-118)
Enough is enough with the news about the Ole Miss coaching staff. And this is coming from someone who believes the market overrates coaching turnover!
The latest chapter involves offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith reportedly remaining with the Rebels, while tight ends coach Joe Cox and receivers coach George McDonald are now fully committed to head coach Lane Kiffin at LSU.
Got all that?
Despite the off-the-field chaos, the matchup itself favors the Hurricanes. We watched what their defensive front did against elite competition against Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl: allowing a paltry 1.9 yards per rush, notching five sacks and generating enough pressure to force a pair of interceptions.
It’s not just one outstanding performance, Miami has been this way all season, ranking 6th in Defensive SP+ and 9th in front-seven havoc generated. Defensive end Reuben Bain Jr. leads the way with a 13.1% pressure rate, 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. This front seven might single-handedly push the Canes to cover.
Trinidad Chambliss O255.5 Passing Yards (-114)
If this game mirrors the Cotton Bowl, Ole Miss will need to lean heavily on the passing game, which should create opportunities for explosive plays.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has a 96.7 passing grade on throws of 20+ yards. Even under pressure, Chambliss averages 8.4 yards per pass attempt. Remember, those expected sacks that may come in bunches will affect his rushing yardage, not his passing total.
Chambliss should hit this number, just like he has in nearly every start this season.
Indiana (-3.5) vs Oregon (-108)
The Peach Bowl is a rematch of a Week 8 meeting in Eugene, Oregon. The Hoosiers had the better play at quarterback, more rushing yards, more sacks and ultimately fewer mistakes.
The second meeting should follow a similar script. Since Week 8, Indiana has surged to the top spot in overall SP+ thanks to a 3rd-ranked offense and 2nd-ranked defense, which all happened against a top-25 strength of schedule.
As much as Oregon’s Dante Moore could impress at the next level, when he faced elite competition, his offense’s success rate dropped from 47.7% to 41%. It doesn’t get much tougher than Indiana, so back the Hoosiers to cover.
Elijah Sarratt O3.5 Receptions (+100)
Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt suffered a hamstring injury early November against Maryland, but since his return later that month, he’s been on a tear: 10 catches, 118 yards and three touchdowns.
As Sarratt continues shaking off that injury, expect his workload to increase. He led Indiana in routes run during the Rose Bowl against Alabama and should see favorable one-on-one matchups against Oregon. With 13 receiving touchdowns on the season (which is among the best in the country), Sarratt has proven his reliability. Four catches against the Ducks should be well within reach.
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