It’s rare that an NFL deal (or a trade in any sport) makes both sides better, but that’s precisely what happened on Tuesday afternoon. Per reports, the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals agreed to a deal that would send stud pass rusher Chandler Jones to Arizona, and offensive guard Jonathan Cooper (as well as a second round draft pick) to New England.

Cards-Pats blockbuster from @diannaESPN and me: Cards trade G Jonathan Cooper + 2nd-rd pick to NE for DE Chandler Jones, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2016

On paper the Patriots lose this deal due to Jones’ elite pass-rushing ability, but it wasn’t an overly shocking move given the fact that Jones has had some odd off-field behavior and is also entering the final year of his rookie deal. As talented and productive as he is, the Patriots clearly decided they weren’t willing to risk big money on him in 2017, so getting something of value for him now made more sense.

Cooper’s Second Chance

Something of value, they got, indeed. Cooper did not pan out with the Cardinals largely due to injury and improved o-line depth in Arizona, but it’s hard to imagine him not working out in New England, who now sport a fairly pedestrian offensive line. A former first round draft pick and stud guard prospect, Cooper still has plenty of talent to tap into and could still end up being a stout starter. Even if he doesn’t pan out, he’s a shot worth taking for a New England offensive line that struggled badly on the interior a year ago.

Hypothetically, the addition of Cooper gives the Patriots a high upside starter at either guard spot, and allows them to fill holes as needed in the 2016 NFL Draft. That’s where their new second round pick could come in handy, as well. New England essentially makes up for the loss of a first rounder due to Deflategate, by getting themselves an additional second round selection. How they use it is anyone’s guess, but they could easily opt to draft another sound o-line prospect, a situational pass-rusher or even combine it with another pick ad try to move back into round one.

Replacement Ready

Whether or not the Patriots replace Chandler Jones with a draft pick or someone from within remains to be determined, but recently signed veteran pass-rusher Chris Long could also figure into the mix. Per reports, the Pats recently signed the former Rams defensive end, who topped 50 sacks during his time in St. Louis.

Long gets a one year deal… looks like he’s the replacement for Chandler Jones. Busy day in Foxboro

— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 16, 2016

At 31 years old and coming off a few down seasons, Long is not a sure-fire answer, but he is an answer. In New England’s hybrid system, Long can play with his hand in the dirt and could also be tested as a rush linebacker when the team shows 3-4 packages. Whether or not Long can still be an effective player at either spot remains to be determined, but New England has at least already addressed the loss of Chandler Jones and will likely continue to look for ways to ease the loss.

Defensive Lift

It’s entirely possible the Patriots end up winning big here. Cooper could excel in New England, Chris Long could be an excellent bargain signing and their new second round pick could end up being a stud prospect that helps them for years to come. On the other side, Arizona could be getting an elite impact player for a one-year rental.

That also could be all the Cardinals need from Jones, who absolutely is a difference-maker for a team that had been leaning on spare parts on the outside of their base 3-4 defense. Arizona already had a very strong defense operating behind an elite offense, but with Jones entering the desert and talks of seasoned veteran Robert Mathis coming town, Arizona could suddenly have one of the nastiest pass rushes in the entire league. Should they also agree to a long-term deal with Jones following the 2016 season, it could be a trade that they ultimately win in the end.

Regardless of how it goes down, at least for now, this is a deal that actually benefits both sides immensely and helps both teams address key issues stemming from the 2015 season. Considering both teams were in their conference’s title game last year, these moves bolster their already strong rosters and make them decent bets to make another run at the Super Bowl in 2016.

The NBA was a crazy scene on Monday night, as Dallas won in Charlotte, Miami barely beat Denver at home, the Cavs lost to the Jazz and three blowouts were decided by over 30 points. It was weird and mostly ugly, and we don’t even want to look back to see how we did. The Pistons, Grizzlies and Blazers were three teams to not even show up, while there were just too many upsets to count.

Tonight potentially simmers down a bit, as we drop to a six-game slate. The matchups aren’t any easier to call, however, with the only sure-fire pick might be taking the Spurs to beat the Clippers, straight up (San Antonio is undefeated at home). This slate is otherwise going to be fairly tough to gauge, so let’s dive in to find out why:

Nuggets @ Magic

Line: Magic -2 Total: 212

Orlando has been falling apart lately, as they’ve been without stars Elfrid Payton and Nikola Vucevic and have gone just 3-7 in their last 10 games. Their road struggles remain their biggest issue (11-21 away from home), but tonight they’re back at the Amway Center, where they tend to play their best ball. They’re probably still without Payton and Vooch tonight, however, so that could put them in a bad spot against an up-tempo Nuggets team. Luckily Denver is a joke on the road (12-20), so the Magic look like the right pick.

Pick: Magic 104, Nuggets 101

Raptors @ Bucks

Line: Raptors -2 Total: 206.5

Toronto just dropped a bad home loss to the Bulls last night, and now they have to head out on the road on the second game of a back to back set. It’s even worse that it’s in Milwaukee, where the rising Bucks (winners of three straight) are a strong 20-12 on the year. Toronto is easily the better team, but they could be tired, are playing in a tough spot and could also be without center Jonas Valanciunas. That’s why it’s at least slightly odd that they’re still the favorite here, albeit by a small margin. Toronto has taken care of business against the Bucks thus far, but this could be the perfect opportunity for Milwaukee to keep their streak going and stave off a 4-0 season series sweep.

Pick: Bucks 102, Raptors 98

Celtics @ Pacers

Line: Pacers -2 Total: 207

Paul George looks to pick up the pieces from his last game out, when he crumbled in an Indy blowout loss. He’s at home and the Celtics are without ace defender Jae Crowder, though, so George could have better luck tonight. Indiana has had better luck at home in general this season (19-11) and so far has a 2-1 series lead over Boston. With the Celtics a little under-manned and this one in Indy, we’ll side with the Pacers to land the narrow win.

Pick: Pacers 101, Celtics 98

76ers @ Nets

Line: Nets -8 Total: 208.5

Brooklyn is a rare big favorite tonight, as they host a bad Sixers squad that should be even worse than usual. Jahlil Okafor has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season, while both Jerami Grant and Robert Covington will sit out tonight due to head injuries. That puts Philly in a really bad spot on the road against a Brooklyn team that tends to dominate them inside. Look for big games out of Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez in a Nets win. Just don’t be shocked if the Sixers do beat the spread, just because they tend to be a little pesky and Brooklyn isn’t that great.

Pick: Nets 106, Sixers 101

Clippers @ Spurs

Line: Spurs -9 Total: 200

Los Angeles heads into San Antonio to attempt to become the first team to beat the Spurs at home this season. With Blake Griffin still sidelined, it doesn’t figure to end as they probably hope. Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge are both playing fantastic basketball and the Spurs know they have no room for error with the Warriors winning at an even more blistering pace. I do think the Clippers will give it a fight and beat the spread, but San Antonio will get the win to move to 33-0 at home this year.

Pick: Spurs 107, Clippers 103

Kings @ Lakers

Line: Kings -3 Total: 217

There will be no defense to be had in the final game of the night, as both the Lakers and Kings allow over 106 points per game. DeMarcus Cousins should decimate the Lakers in this one, as he routinely owns them and has played a huge hand in Sacramento building a 3-0 season series lead thus far. The Lakers will probably keep it tight at home, plus this will be Kobe Bryant’s last gasp against the Kings ever. In the end, the Kings should earn a sweep and find one thing to go right in a season that has quickly fallen apart.

Pick: Kings 108, Lakers 104

The Baltimore Ravens have won two Super Bowls thanks to elite defenses. Thanks to a proactive take on free agency this off-season, they’re one step closer to bringing that defensive edge back.

Weddle Chooses Baltimore

Per reports, the Ravens solidified the backend of their secondary on Monday, after agreeing to terms with long-time San Diego Chargers safety, Eric Weddle. The two sides reportedly agreed to a four-year, $26 million deal, including $9 million in guaranteed.

Eric Weddle got $29 million over four years, $13 million guaranteed from #Ravens. Includes $9 million for 2016.

— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) March 14, 2016

Weddle had been slowly narrowing down his potential landing spots after a bitter divorce with the Chargers, who he had spent his entire 9-year career with since being drafted by the team back in 2007. Weddle has been rumored to be heavily interested in the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders, as well as the Ravens, and was hoping to cut his list down to two favorites at some point this week.

Back to Defense

Weddle’s process apparently sped up when a team that both wanted him and was willing to pay him the money he felt he was worth. The opportunity to win comes in Baltimore, too, provided Weddle can live up to his contract. Baltimore fills a huge hole at safety with the move, too, as they got at best inconsistent production across from Will Hill in 2015. The Ravens were at their best when their defenses were able to set the tone for their championship teams, but haven’t been the same since losing star enforcers such as Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

In response to a text from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune, Weddle voiced his pleasure in being part of a new, winning franchise:

“I couldn’t be more excited and pumped to be a part of a championship organization who wanted me from Day One.”

Bringing the 31-year old Weddle into the fold could be the step in the right direction, and could be one of the few missing links between a struggling team and a legit Super Bowl contender. While slowly exiting his prime, Weddle remains a quality coverage safety who can make plays on the ball and also is a sure tackler and strong last resort for the defense. Weddle has also stayed remarkably healthy throughout his nine-year run, missing just three games due to injury.

Title Contenders?

Adding Weddle certainly doesn’t cure the Ravens of all that ails them, but it’s a step in the right direction. The backend of their defensive backfield is now hypothetically fixed, and should go a long way in shoring up an embattled secondary. The Ravens will still need to bounce back from a brutal season of rough injuries, including season-ending injuries to Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs, Justin Forsett and Steve Smith Sr., among others. Weddle’s arrival should help the Ravens battle back for a top spot in the ultra competitive AFC North, but it’s possible more work needs to be done before they can be a safe Super Bowl pick.

It’s a new week, which means tons of NBA betting is on the horizon. That’s especially the case on Monday night, as we get to tip off the week with a strong 9-game slate. On top of the hefty schedule, we get to see a ton of megastars hit the hardwood, with the likes of Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Anthony Davis performing in just the evening’s final two games.

It’s going to be pretty intense, so if you’re planning on placing some bets, be sure to stay on top of the latest lines, totals and news. We’ll run through it all and issue our picks. Let’s get to it:

Mavericks @ Hornets

Line: Hornets -6.5 Total: 210

Dallas is not resembling a playoff team these days, as they tumble into Charlotte riding an ugly five-game losing streak. That’s bad news for the Mavs, who cannot do anything right defensively and now have to find a way to down the Hornets, who happen to be quite good on their home floor (25-9). Charlotte is also at full strength and has been riding some hot performances from Kemba Walker. Dirk Nowitzki has been dropping in some big games of his own, but Dallas simply isn’t bringing enough on defense right now to place much faith it. I think they can keep things close and beat the spread, but a sixth straight loss is coming.

Pick: Hornets 107, Mavs 103

Bulls @ Raptors

Line: Raptors -9 Total: 206.5

Going into Toronto and winning won’t be easy for Chicago for a few reasons, as they’re pretty awful on the road (11-20), while the Raptors are a staggering 26-7 at Air Canada Centre this year. The Bulls do have a commanding 3-0 advantage in the series thus far, though, which is cause for pause when the Raptors have a gaudy -9 spread to open the night. Pau Gasol is out for this one, while both Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler are tentatively expected to suit up. This one does not lead up to an easy straight up pick, as the Bulls are far more dangerous when Butler is healthy. If he plays, look for Chicago to beat the spread.

Pick: Raptors 104, Bulls 101

Nuggets @ Heat

Line: Heat -7.5 Total: 203.5

Denver head coach suggested Denver would be in for a lot of “small ball” tonight in South Beach, which goes along with how the Heat are running these days, while it also may be a necessity with some of their backup bigs dealing with injuries. Going small probably won’t be enough for the Nuggets, who still don’t defend and have been suspect (12-19) away from home. Miami is without star shooting guard Dwyane Wade, but still have Goran Dragic, Joe Johnson and Luol Deng to lean on in the perimeter game. The Heat have specifically been strong at home this year (21-12) and beat the Nuggets earlier this year. Look for Miami to win and cover.

Pick: Heat 106, Nuggets 95

Blazers @ Thunder

Line: Thunder -7.5 Total: 221

Portland has slowly come back down to earth after a hot start to 2016, and tonight they could have a fight on their hands in OKC. The Thunder are in a mild slide with two straight losses, and won’t want to lose a third to their division rivals. OKC is rather strong at home (26-9), but this series is split 1-1 to this point. The home team has won both times and OKC needs to end their skid, though, so we like the Thunder to win and cover.

Pick: Thunder 110, Blazers 101

Grizzlies @ Rockets

Line: Rockets -10.5 Total: 209

Memphis remains very beaten up, as Lance Stephenson is now in doubt to play tonight, while big man Zach Randolph has once again been ruled out. That’s going to put the ball in Ray McCallum’s hands more than anyone wants, which should be bad news for Memphis in Houston tonight. The Rockets do not blow teams out very often, but this is a great chance to buck the trend tonight.

Pick: Rockets 109, Grizzlies 92

Pistons @ Wizards

Line: Wizards -1.5 Total: 208.5

Two very different teams face off in D.C. tonight, as the Pistons like to slow things down and Washington is a top-10 team in terms of pushing the basketball. The Wiz could have a slight edge at home tonight, especially since they’ve had Detroit’s number so far in this season series (up 2-0). The Pistons have been strong in their last 10 games (7-3), but they’re lousy (15-21) on the road and don’t have anyone to slow down John Wall. Marcin Gortat’s randomly disappearing role is a head-scratcher, but hopefully that’s only temporary. If so, we like the Wiz at home.

Pick: Wizards 104, Pistons 102

Timberwolves @ Suns

Line: Suns -1 Total: 221

The second highest total of the night resides in the desert tonight, where the Timberwolves and Suns square off. These are young and shaky squads, but with Brandon Knight back, the Suns are a tougher out. Minnesota is not good on the road, either (10-23), so it will be interesting how they fare in this one. It’s not amazing on the other side, though, as the Suns have dropped three straight and 7 of their last 10. The -1 line says it all: this is going to be a total toss-up with no defense and hopefully a ton of points. I don’t love the pick here, but I’m game for the total. If I have to take on, it’s Minnesota in the mild upset.

Pick: Timberwolves 112, Suns 110

Pelicans @ Warriors

Line: Warriors -15 Total: 230

The game with the highest total of the night is Pelicans vs. Warriors, as Stephen Curry looks to blow up on his birthday and Anthony Davis will do his best to match him. The Pelicans are very much over-matched on the road, but they could bring the offense in a shootout. I don’t love the idea of chasing these points, though, as Golden State hasn’t lost at the Oracle Arena all year and this one could very easily turn ugly fairly fast.

Pick: Warriors 116, Pelicans 104

Cavaliers @ Jazz

Line: Cavs -4 Total: 195

Speaking of ugly, this should be a slow-paced, low-scoring game, as Utah is at home and tends to control the tempo with a slow offense and suffocating defense. Rudy Gobert has been struggling but is still a problem in the middle for Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, while LeBron James seems to always struggle on the road versus the Jazz for some reason. Still, Cleveland is the better team and is actually a respectable 20-12 on the road, so I’ll take them to win and cover.

Pick: Cavs 98, Jazz 93

The NBA is back in full force on Friday night, as the regular work week is capped with an intense 10-game slate. That’s quite the spike from a yawn-inducing Thursday schedule, which gave us just four games to keep tabs on. We still hit our Thursday picks out of the park, though, going 4-0 on the night.

Going 10-0 could prove to be rather difficult on this slate, and it might even beg us to go away from just straight up or spread picks, and roll more with some totals. Whatever the case, this one begs to be broken down, so let’s get to it:

Nets @ 76ers

Line: Nets -3.5 Total: 211

Philly tries to avoid losing a 14th straight game, tonight, as they welcome the Nets to town. Brooklyn is finding some wins here and there, but have dropped their last two and come in sporting a horrendous road record (7-24). Luckily the Sixers have been stuck on 8 wins for what seems like forever and are a smidgen better at home (5-26) than they are on the road. This is actually a good spot for the Sixers to steal a win, but with Jahlil Okafor likely out again, it’s going to be tough to vouch for them.

Pick: Nets 106, Sixers 102

Pistons @ Hornets

Line: Hornets -4.5 Total: 202

The Hornets are still going strong at home (23-9) and welcome Detroit into town as they try to win a sixth consecutive game. The odds favor them even though the Pistons sport a two-game winning streak, as Detroit is just 14-20 away from home and looked over-matched against Charlotte in a 20-point defeat back in December. The Hornets are healthy and play well at home, plus Kemba Walker is insanely hot these days.

Pick: Hornets 104, Pistons 96

Rockets @ Celtics

Line: Celtics -6 Total: 223

The total is pretty gaudy here, as the Celtics and Rockets both sport very potent offenses and Houston specifically does not defend at all. That all gives Boston the clear edge at home at TD Garden, while they already dismantled the Rockets fairly easily earlier this year. I think the Rockets make a game of it and beat the spread, though, while chasing this total is a bit ambitious.

Pick: Celtics 105, Rockets 101

Heat @ Bulls

Line: Heat -2.5 Total: 201.5

Jimmy Butler is scheduled to miss another game (knee) and Dwyane Wade is also questionable. The two could cancel each other out, while the Heat are a little less formidable (16-15) on the road this year. That being said, they have a pretty strong lineup even without Wade, and he still might suit up. Chicago really has been reeling for a while now and is playing on the second of a back to back set. They’ve been good at home (21-11) all year, but I don’t trust them in the least.

Pick: Heat 101, Bulls 97

Timberwolves @ Thunder

Line: Thunder -12 Total: 225.5

We can expect a good amount of points in this one, as the last meeting had two quality offenses combine for a ridiculous 249 points. The other two meetings were a little more tame, but we can expect good offense in this one. OKC is going to win, though, as they’re beastly (26-8) at home and are already up 3-0 in this season series. Minnesota has played them tight twice, though, so I think they can beat the spread. I wouldn’t be chasing the total, but it’s not totally crazy given the last meeting.

Pick: Thunder 111, Wolves 104

Pelicans @ Grizzlies

Line: Pelicans -1.5 Total: 202.5

Anthony Davis could be in for a big night tonight, as he travels to take on a Grizzlies team that is already without center Marc Gasol (foot) and also could be without both Mike Conley and Zach Randolph. The Grizzlies held serve in Cleveland a couple of days ago, but showed their true colors in a blowout loss to the Celtics. New Orleans doesn’t defend and they’re awful (7-24) on the road, but Jrue Holiday and The Brow are playing well enough to get them a nice road win against a depleted Memphis squad.

Pick: Pellies 106, Grizzlies 104

Wizards @ Jazz

Line: Jazz -3.5 Total: 198

Paces clash in this one, as the fast-paced Wiz could run into a brick wall in Utah tonight. The Jazz play sound defense, are pretty good at home (19-13) and also play at a slower pace. That being said, Washington tends to enforce their will offensively and I’m not sure the Jazz have anyone that can slow down John Wall. This is still a tricky call, because both of these teams are reeling, with Washington having lost their past three games and Utah regressing mightily with a 2-8 record in their last 10 games. In a bit of a toss up, I’ll take the home team, but not necessarily to cover.

Pick: Jazz 98, Wiz 96

Magic @ Kings

Line: Kings -1 Total: 221

We can probably expect a good amount of points tonight, but they won’t be coming from DeMarcus Cousins (suspended) or Nikola Vucevic (groin injury). Both are out and we also could see Elfrid Payton, Marco Belinelli, Ben McLemore and Seth Curry all sit out of this one. Not a whole lot changes in terms of competition, but Sacramento probably has the leg up, as Rajon Rondo and Rudy Gay will still be around and they get to play this one at home. Orlando’s road record is the real problem (10-20), and it was on full display recently in a bad loss to the Lakers.

Pick: Kings 109, Magic 106

Blazers @ Warriors

Line: Warriors -12.5 Total: 227

This could be the game of the night if Portland brings its A game, like they did not too long ago when Portland blasted the Warriors behind Damian Lillard’s 51-point night. That wasn’t at the Oracle Arena, though, and it’s tough to imagine Golden State allowing the Blazers to be the first team to take them down at home this year. I’ll take the over on the total and I think the Blazers can make this one a game (beat the spread), but I can’t go against the Dubs on their home floor.

Pick: Warriors 121, Blazers 115

Knicks @ Clippers

Line: Clippers -10 Total: 202.5

Blake Griffin continues to miss time, but the Clippers have remained quite strong without him (6-4 through last 10 games, 21-1 at home). New York isn’t the scariest of opponents, either, as they’re awful away from home (11-21) and their best perimeter defender (Arron Afflalo) has already been ruled out for tonight’s meeting. New York could give it a go, but ultimately they’re not going to have enough to steal the show at the Staples Center.

Pick: Clippers 109, Knicks 94

The Denver Broncos are officially in a weird spot. Peyton Manning retired this past Monday and just days later, they lost their top backup plan. With Manning’s career over and Brock Osweiler now a member of the Houston Texans, the NFL’s reigning Super Bowl champs have a lot of work to do if they’re going to be serious about defending their title.

Many have already probably written off that possibility, but thanks to an elite defense, it may not take a Hall of Fame presence under center to keep Denver very much in the mix to make another storied run. After all, Manning himself was a shell of what he used to be and was asked to do very little in Super Bowl 50.

While it’s open for debate what type of quarterback the Broncos may need to try to win another title, their options might not be. The player pool is rather limited and with the last pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, it’s pretty likely they won’t get their answer in this year’s draft. So, what do John Elway and co. do? Here are five interesting options they are already considering or should at least think about:

Sign Fitzmagic

If the Broncos believe they can get by with a slightly above average quarterback who can manage most games and win a couple of his own, paying to bring in Ryan Fitzpatrick might be their best move. Denver has reportedly already been in touch with Fitzpatrick, who is coming off a career 2015 run (31 passing touchdowns) and still has a couple of solid seasons left in him. He is definitely a “what you see is what you get” type of player with a low ceiling, but he is a bit of a gamer that usually brings a smart approach to the game. It’s possible the Broncos could still miss the playoffs with Fitzpatrick, but he’s good enough to keep hope alive for a repeat Super Bowl bid, too.

Trade For Colin Kaepernick

This is probably the sexy play, albeit one that still comes with risk. Not only does Kaepernick come with a big contract, got hurt last year and appeared to have regressed horrifically, but he doesn’t even want to go to Denver. For some reason he likes Hue Jackson and wants to go to the Browns.

Here’s a sentiment not many have shared recently: Colin Kaepernick wants to play in Cleveland. Respects Hue Jackson. Browns-Niners talking.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2016

This is a better situation in every possible way for him, but we do need to consider that Elway got rid of Tim Tebow for similar reasons – he was a run-oriented passer who didn’t consistently win from the pocket.

Kaepernick has flashed insane ability, but he also has never stepped up his game inside the pocket. Elway could think he can get the most out of him, though, and of his options to this point, this one may carry the most pure upside. Kaepernick has been in a Super Bowl before, too, so surrounded with a quality team again, he could quickly bounce back to his old form.

Give RG3 a Try

RG3 is a slightly riskier version of Kaepernick, but he can be had for much less and no trade is necessary. The Redskins cut Robert Griffin III loose just recently and he could potentially come to Denver on a cheap “prove it” deal. There is no denying he’s fallen off the map as a passer due to awful pocket presence and a slew of injuries, but he’s still not that far removed from an awesome rookie campaign. In the right situation, it’s not crazy to imagine him finding success again. After all, a healthy and refocused RG3 could be a very dangerous dual threat and he does have post-season experience stemming from his first season in the league.

Trust in Johnny Football

The options are getting crazier, as you can probably tell. Manziel is younger than the other options and still has the pedigree of a first round pick and Heisman winner. His off-field antics and decision-making are a complete joke and he’s probably more of a distraction than he’s worth, but there is still untapped talent here. The Browns wanting nothing to do with him probably tells us all we need to know, but if Denver and co. think they can get through to him, Johnny Football could be a fit.

It’s also worth noting that Broncos star linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller alluded to the possibility of Manziel becoming a Bronco.

Wait For the Draft

This might be the smartest move. With the ebb and flow of the draft, it is very possible a quality arm slides into Elway’s grasp. Whether it’s a huge prospect like Paxton Lynch or someone who would require a little work like Connor Cook, there is talent to be had in this year’s quarterback pool. Denver could add a young passer to groom and then bring someone else like a Matt Cassel off the street to bide them some time. These moves would be a virtual white flag for 2016, but for the long-term, it may be the Broncos’ best play. That being said, it’d be their worst shot at repeating and may even have them missing the playoffs.

Think you know what the Broncos are going to do or should do? Tell us in the comments below!

Chris Bosh revealed recently that he no longer is dealing with any blood clots and that his 2015-16 NBA season isn’t over just yet. While Bosh and the Miami Heat are still taking their time to make sure Bosh doesn’t have another serious clot issue for a third time in the past year, both parties remain hopeful for a return in the not too distant future.

Nearing Return?

BREAKING: Chris Bosh of Miami Heat says he has no active blood clots, remains hopeful of returning this season.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 10, 2016

Bosh has reportedly been “feeling good” and working with Miami’s coaching staff on the side in hopes for a return. Bosh’s most recent run-in with blood clots, while still to be taken seriously, had nothing to do with last year’s blood clot in his lung. That could be an encouraging sign that Bosh’s leg clot is an isolated incident and now that he’s past it, a return to the court may not be far off. Bosh detailed his current situation and potential return in a recent statement:

Full text of Bosh statement. pic.twitter.com/PhXpX2EV1T

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 10, 2016

If that’s to be the case, NBA bettors may want to start thinking about taking the Heat a little more seriously in the Eastern Conference.

Title Contenders?

It’s been a foregone conclusion for the past year that the Cleveland Cavaliers would return to the 2016 NBA Finals after losing to the Golden State Warriors last summer. No true threat emerged early in the year, but just recently the Heat have looked more like a contender thanks to steady play from the likes of Goran Dragic, Luol Deng and Hassan Whiteside. The addition of veteran swing man Joe Johnson has also gone well, further enhancing Miami’s offense and overall depth.

Naturally, logic suggests and already solid Miami club could make a run at a top-two seed if a healthy Bosh can return to the court in time. Miami is already sitting in a good spot atop the Southeast Division at 37-27. They’re still a considerable ways back behind the Cleveland Cavaliers (#1) and the Toronto Raptors, but add Bosh to the mix for a playoff run, and suddenly Cleveland’s “for sure” return to the Finals doesn’t look so cemented.

That’s not what Vegas is telling us to this point, of course, as the Warriors are the odds on favorite to win again, while the Cavs, as the near-guaranteed representative out of the Eastern Conference, barrels in with +290 odds. Miami is sitting more in dark horse territory (+6600) with the ninth best odds to claim the championship.

Nothing Guaranteed

Does a Chris Bosh return give those title odds a boost? Absolutely. Bosh’s return would mean more scoring, better rebounding and improved defense. It’d shore up a team that is already tightly knit and quite deep, as it’d allow Deng and Johnson to rotate at the three spot, rather than force Deng to play power forward in situations where it’s not conducive. It would also free up Whiteside off the bench and put less pressure on the Heat when he gets in foul trouble. Having another legit star would also ease the pressure on Dwyane Wade, who can still ball at 34 years old.

What Bosh’s potential return doesn’t do is guarantee the Heat will rise up and win the NBA Finals – let alone get there. However, Miami has had a psychological edge over LeBron James ever since he departed South Beach and it’s been well documented that Cleveland has endured many struggles this year.

Needless to say, the return of Bosh certainly gives Miami a chance to unseat the Cavs and make it to the promised land. No one from the Eastern Conference is going to take down the Warriors and we probably can’t write off the Raptors completely, either, but this Bosh news is potentially massive. It also could never come to fruition or Bosh’s return could be of the “too little, too late” variety, but at least on the surface, Miami Heat fans have reason to get excited. And NBA bettors have reason to think a bit outside the box in the Eastern Conference, as well.

The NBA slows down for one of it’s classic TNT nights on Thursday, with just four pro basketball betting opportunities gracing the schedule. Most of tonight’s action looks like “gimme” calls at first glance, but there is at least one interesting matchup, while late “rest” news could alter how we look at more than one contest.

Let’s look over tonight’s light slate and see what and where you should be betting:

Atlanta Hawks @ Toronto Raptors

Line: Raptors -4 Total: 199

This is easily the top game of the night per Vegas, as the Raptors are given just four points despite being the superior team and holding an elite 24-7 record at Air Canada Centre. Atlanta has the goods to stage an upset, but they’re just average (17-16) on the road and don’t have the defense necessary to stifle Toronto’s elite guard play. They handled the Hawks pretty well in their first game this year (won by 10 points), and while I think tonight’s clash will be closer, the result should be the same.

Pick: Raptors 101, Hawks 98

Chicago Bulls @ San Antonio Spurs

Line: Spurs -14.5 Total: 201.5

San Antonio hasn’t lost at home (30-0) all year, so you can imagine how hopeless tonight looks for the Bulls. Chicago will once again be without Jimmy Butler, who they probably badly needed to have much of a chance at stealing this one. It’s worth noting the Bulls did snag a win over the Spurs earlier this year at home, but they are absolutely atrocious on the road (11-19) and don’t have enough fire power to get the job done here. I do think they can at least beat the spread, especially if Tim Duncan or any other Spurs take the night off.

Pick: Spurs 104, Bulls 98

Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets

Line: Nuggets -8.5 Total: 214

This could actually be set up to be an awesome game, as both of these offenses can get pretty hot and neither team plays much defense. Phoenix has really upped their level of play lately thanks to great showings from Devin Booker and Alex Len, while tonight they’ll likely want to get a blowout loss to the Knicks out of their mouth. Denver can be tough at the Pepsi Center, however, and they’ll also probably want to even up the season series (Suns lead, 2-1). Brandon Knight’s potential return (he dressed last night but did not play), could give the Suns a much-needed spark, and I think they at least make this competitive. Expect a lot of points, too, but with these two teams being tough to trust in general, betting on the Over feels pretty risky.

Pick: Nuggets 108, Suns 105

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Los Angeles Lakers

Line: Cavs -9.5 Total: 209

Kobe Bryant and Lou Williams are naturally in doubt for this one, and with the Cavs resting players randomly, we’ll also need to keep tabs on the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. Timofey Mozgov missed last night’s game, too, so he also needs to be monitored going into the last game of the night.

The Cavs are the easy call if everyone suits up for Cleveland, but playing on the road can always be tricky (hey, the Dubs lost here just a few days ago) and the Lakers have actually been (*gasp) good lately. Rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell and fellow guard Jordan Clarkson are tearing defenses up and Julius Randle is doing a good job down low. At full strength I doubt that scares the Cavs much, but if one of their stars sit out, they could be in for a fight. I still like Cleveland to win and cover, but if someone sits out, the confidence in them covering would naturally waver a bit.

Pick: Cavs 111, Lakers 101

The fun continued in the NBA on Wednesday night, with the Blazers and Wizards awarding us a nice overtime thriller and the Hawks and Jazz battling it out in a tight defensive battle. It was not the best night for NBA betting, of course, as the Nets defied the spread, the Hawks upset the Jazz and the Magic laid an egg in Los Angeles.

Some things may have gone your way, of course, as the Blazers did win/cover, the Spurs covered in Minnesota and Denver lived up to their favorite tag (although we picked against them) and covered in a home win over the Knicks.

Think that was fun? Wednesday should have it beat, as we get an impressive 9-game schedule to play with. Let’s take a quick look at the lines and total of each contest and see where our bets should lie tonight:

Rockets @ 76ers

Line: -9.5 Total: 220

Not much needs to be said here, as the Sixers have won 8 games all year and are awful. Jahlil Okafor is out tonight and while the Rockets typically do not blow teams out, this would be the one exception where you bank on it. I’ll take the Rockets to cover.

Pick: Rockets 112, Sixers 99

Pelicans @ Hornets

Line: Hornets -8.5 Total: 209

New Orleans and Charlotte get together for the second time this year, with the Pellies having taken an exciting 109-107 win at home in mid-January. The Hornets are much more focused at home, where they’re 22-9, so they should have a much better chance to even up the series here tonight. New Orleans is also down shooting guard Eric Gordon and may not have Norris Cole, which shouldn’t hurt Charlotte’s chances to add to a nice four-game winning streak.

Pick: Hornets 106, Pelicans 102

Heat @ Bucks

Line: Heat -3.5 Total: 199

Miami visits the Bucks at the Bradley Center tonight, as they put a stout five-game winning streak on the line in a hostile environment. Miami is the better team on paper, but the Bucks have been playing excellent basketball lately and also stand their tallest at home, where they’re a strong 18-12. That being said, the Heat should take care of business as they stay hot in their bid for a top-two playoff seed.

Pick: Heat 99, Bucks 95

Knicks @ Suns

Line: Suns -1.5 Total: 206.5

New York continues to regress further away from the Eastern Conference playoff picture, as Kurt Rambis is coaching them into the ground. Kristaps Porzingis isn’t seeing the floor enough, while Jose Calderon is playing far too much. Normally the Knicks would be the easy call against the Suns, but Phoenix has been looking a lot better ever since they started rolling with Alex Len at the four spot. Brandon Knight could return tonight, as well, while the Suns have the benefit of playing at home. Surprising winners of two straight, Phoenix is the favorite for a reason.

Pick: Suns 104, Knicks 101

Clippers @ Thunder

Line: Thunder -5.5 Total: 215

The Clippers travel to OKC to take on the Thunder in easily the biggest game of the night. The series has been split between two very close games, but the Clips could have their work cut out for them with this one coming on the road and Blake Griffin still sidelined (hand). We can’t count L.A. out, though, and with both previous meetings separated by five points or less, it’s hard to give the Thunder the spread here. Look for the Clippers to keep it tight in a tough road loss.

Pick: Thunder 105, Clippers 101

Grizzlies @ Celtics

Line: Celtics -11 Total: 209

Memphis shocked the Cavs in Cleveland despite missing numerous key players due to injury, but doing that again on the road is a bit of a reach. Boston is very good at home (22-10 at TD Garden) and the line is there due to their ability to both score and stop teams at the other end. Without both Mike Conley and Zach Randolph, the Grizz are probably in trouble tonight. Even so, they play with a lot of grit and are pretty methodical, so I do think they can beat this gaudy spread.

Pick: Celtics 96, Grizz 89

Pistons @ Mavs

Line: Mavs -2 Total: 204.5

Detroit heads to Dallas tonight, where they’ll try to stay above .500 against a reeling Mavs squad (three straight losses). The Mavs tend to be better at home, but they’ve gotten nothing out of center Zaza Pachulia and have taken a big hit defensively. This will be a close game, but it’s awfully tough to pick the Mavs right now.

Pick: Pistons 97, Mavs 95

Cavs @ Kings

Line: Cavs -6.5 Total: 217

One of the more explosive games of the night goes down in Sac-town, where LeBron James leads his Cavs up against Boogie and the Kings. Sacramento can surely score with anyone, but their defense (109 points per game) leaves a lot to be desired. Cleveland also dropped a bad loss to the Grizzlies at home, so they’ll be out for blood. Expect a lot of points on both ends, but I like Cleveland to play mad and cover.

Pick: Cavs 109, Kings 107

Jazz @ Warriors

Line: Warriors -13 Total: 209

Utah just lost to the Hawks at home, so color me hesitant to believe they can be the first team to beat the Dubs at the Oracle Arena in the last 45 tries. Golden State is shooting for history this year and it’s quite likely they end the season with no losses on their home floor. As focused and flat out good they are, I don’t see them completely crushing a pretty balanced Utah team that plays strong defense.

Pick: Warriors 106, Jazz 98

Things are happening in the NFL, as the 2016 NFL free agency period is alive and well. Players are agreeing to terms and other players are being cut, and it’s all happening in quite the flurry. The chatter is ongoing and we’re keeping tabs on all the latest big name moves and how they could impact the respective teams involved. Here’s what is hitting the airwaves on Wednesday in pro football:

Houston Hits it Big

Brock Osweiler, apparently annoyed with the Broncos for being benched and for being offered a contract not befitting of a franchise quarterback, has decided to move on. Per reports, Osweiler has chosen the Houston Texans over the Broncos, accepting a deal that will make him the team’s starter for 2016 and likely beyond.

I’m told QB Brock Osweiler has agreed to a deal in principle with the Houston #Texans.

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 9, 2016

This is a huge get for the Texans, who get an immediate upgrade over the pedestrian Brian Hoyer. While not necessarily special, the 25-year old Osweiler did exhibit some upside as Denver’s starting quarterback in seven games last year (5-2 as a starter) and has had plenty of time to learn the ins and outs of the game behind Peyton Manning the last few years. He’s no lock to be the answer for Houston, but he has shown an ability to manage games and even win games. If the Texans can step up defensively and in the ground game, Osweiler could be enough to get them deep into the playoffs.

He won’t be trying to do so without some help, either, as Adam Schefter has reported that Lamar Miller will be coming to town to replace the recently cut Arian Foster.

Texans are giving Lamar Miller a 4-year, $26 million deal that includes $14 million fully guaranteed, per source. Had more elsewhere.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016

The Texans have agreed to hand Miller a four-year, $26 million deal with roughly $14 million in guaranteed cash. In miller the Texans get a very talented, explosive and versatile running back that gives them what an aging and regressing Foster used to. While not the steady presence Foster was, Miller is just 25 and still has untapped potential. He was also being wasted in Miami and saw a combination of earnings, role and winning in Houston. The Texans suddenly look pretty scary going into 2016.

Jets Land Forte

New York lost running back Chris Ivory today, but in a sense upgraded over him with the signing of former Bears running back, Matt Forte. Forte walks away from the Bears to join a solid Jets team on the brink of a deep playoff run. Forte should take over New York’s lead rusher role immediately and reunites with former Chicago wide receiver, Brandon Marshall. It’s worth wondering how much Forte has left in the tank as a true feature back, but his play did not appear to be slipping yet in 2015. Hypothetically, New York just got a lot better offensively and could be a real problem coming out of the AFC East next season.

Denver in Panic Mode?

With Peyton Manning retiring and Brock Osweiler leaving, the Broncos are in a rough spot at the quarterback position all of a sudden. Reports suggest the team could take a flier on Robert Griffin III, but that might not be their best course of action. There has also been some talk about them bringing in journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick or even signing Johnny Manziel, while drafting a quarterback early is also a real possibility.

Detroit Grabs Megatron Insurance

Calvin Johnson retired on Tuesday and sounds like he’s not going to return to football, so the Lions wisely took a positive step towards making up for that huge loss. The team reportedly agreed to terms with former Bengals receiver Marvin Jones, who will earn $40 million over the next five years.

Jones himself is not an answer for the loss of one of the league’s top receivers, but his raw talent arguably was never fully on display in Cincinnati. Jones doesn’t have to do it all by himself, either, as he will share the top two wide receiver spots with Golden Tate, while tight end Eric Ebron should have a bigger role in his third NFL season.

Bucs Keep The Muscle Hamster

Doug Martin was the top free agent running back and was expected to price himself out of Tampa Bay. That didn’t happen. Per reports, Martin will stay in Florida as the Bucs’ lead running back thanks to a massive five-year, $35 million deal. Martin, 27, will earn $15 in guaranteed cash and can bring in another $6 in incentives. Martin was an expensive player to retain, but could be vital in the growth of Jameis Winston and a young Bucs offense.