The NFL playoffs begin with the Los Angeles Chargers, who went 11-6 in their first year with Jim Harbaugh as their head coach, on the road against the AFC South champion Houston Texans, who went 10-7.
Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium, airing on CBS.
Let’s have a look at the betting odds for the game and make expert picks and predictions for the Chargers at Texans NFL wild card playoff matchup.
Chargers at Texans NFL wild card odds and lines
All odds come from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline
- Chargers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Texans +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
Spread
- Chargers -3 (-105)
- Texans +3 (-115)
Total
- Over 41.5 (-110)
- Under 41.5 (-110)
Chargers at Texans picks and predictions
Prediction
Chargers 31, Texans 21
Moneyline
- Chargers -160
The Chargers won their final three games of the season and had the league’s No. 1 defense in points allowed (17.7 points).
The Texans lost two of their final three games, both to teams in the playoffs, allowing 27 and 31 points in their losses.
Spread
- Chargers -3 (-105)
All 11 of the Chargers’ wins were by four or more points and all but one were by at least a touchdown. They covered the spread in every single win this season. No reason to think that will change.
Total
- Over 41.5 (-110)
The Chargers averaged 36 points in their final three games and the Texans allowed 29 points per game in their last two losses to playoff teams.
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