NFL Wildcard Weekend: Expert Picks, Player Props, & Best Bets looks at the best bets for NFL Wildcard Weekend.
The journey to the Lombardi Trophy begins, as three days of playoff action mark the start of the NFL postseason. Fourteen teams stand on the edge of glory, chasing the dream of lifting the trophy at Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans’ iconic Caesars Superdome.
At the center of it all are the Kansas City Chiefs, aiming to rewrite history as the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls. Standing alongside them at the top are the Detroit Lions, who claimed the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a final-week victory over the Vikings.
But the road to New Orleans won’t be easy. Can the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, or another contender rise to dethrone the reigning champs? The stage is set.
Be sure to keep up with all of our NFL Playoff coverage!
NFL Wildcard Weekend Betting Preview
Chargers vs. Texans Betting Preview
All Chargers vs. Texans odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
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Spread
Chargers -3 -
Moneyline
Chargers -155, Texans +135 -
Over/Under
42 points -
Game time
4:30 p.m. ET -
Location
NRG Stadium | Houston, TX -
Predicted Weather at Kick
Dome -
How To Watch
CBS
The Chargers have emerged as a team to watch in the AFC, fueled by the buzz around Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert. But this is playoff football, and a road game is never easy. Houston may have stumbled down the stretch, winning just three of their final six games, but they still claimed the AFC South crown. However, their offense faces a tall task without Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell against the Chargers’ top-ranked defense, which allowed just 17.7 points and 206.9 passing yards per game during the regular season.
CJ Stroud has shown poise beyond his years, and with Joe Mixon, Nico Collins, and the explosive potential of John Metchie, Houston’s offense has tools to compete. Add in the veteran reliability of Robert Woods and Dalton Schultz, and the Texans can create opportunities.
ALL GAS NO BRAKES ⛽️
📺: @NFLonCBS / @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/rirAUVJVhu
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 5, 2025
The Chargers thrive in the turnover battle (+0.7 per game, third-best), but Houston isn’t far behind (+0.6, tied sixth). Despite Los Angeles’ road success, Houston’s home-field edge and resilience make them a compelling underdog at +3. Expect a fight in this NFL Wildcard matchup.
Joe Mixon | RB | Texans | Anytime TD Scorer (-130)
If the Texans compete in this one at home, it will take a steady dose of carries for Joe Mixon. Mixon finished his first season in Houston with 11 rushing touchdowns and one receiving score. Mixon didn’t play much in the regular season finale, but he is on a four-game scoreless streak. I believe Mixon will need to get 11 carries for the Texans to control the tempo of this game and possess the football.
Mixon had 20 carries in seven games in 2024, scoring in each. In those seven games, Mixon scored a combined 10 touchdowns. Mixon will find the endzone against the Chargers this weekend.
Commanders vs. Buccaneers Betting Preview
All Commanders vs. Buccaneers odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
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Spread
Buccaneers -3 -
Moneyline
Commanders +150, Buccaneers -175 -
Over/Under
42 points -
Game time
7:15 p.m. ET -
Location
Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, FL -
Predicted Weather at Kick
61*, 6 mph winds -
How To Watch
NBC
The bright lights of Super Wild Card Weekend shine on a primetime clash between the Washington Commanders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa’s path to the playoffs mirrors last year’s — a backdoor entry through the beleaguered NFC South. But unlike last season’s faltering Eagles, this time, they face a rising force from the NFC East.
Washington, unrecognizable from the team that fell to Tampa 37-20 in Week 1, has transformed. Back then, Baker Mayfield dazzled with four touchdown passes, while rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels endured a shaky NFL debut. Fast forward to now, Daniels is one of the league’s most electrifying talents, leading the Commanders to five consecutive wins, including a statement victory over the NFC East champion Eagles. Four of Washington’s five losses came against playoff-bound teams, a testament to their strength.
TERRY MCLAURIN FOR THE WIN! pic.twitter.com/h5M2NQaZP7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Tampa has surged, winning six of its last seven games. But the sparkle fades under scrutiny. That stretch includes just one victory against a playoff team (the Chargers), and their loss came against a struggling Cowboys squad. Even in a must-win Week 18 game, the Buccaneers nearly faltered against the Saints, one of the league’s weakest teams.
While Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans shine, Washington’s momentum and balance are hard to ignore. Expect a tight contest—and possibly a Commander’s upset in this NFL Wildcard Weekend battle.
Terry McLaurin | WR | Commanders | OVER 60.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
In a game that promises plenty of opportunity on NFL Wildcard Weekend, expect Jayden Daniels to lean heavily on Terry McLaurin. The Commanders have kept up a relentless pace this season, running the 10th-most plays in the league with an average of 59.7 per game. McLaurin has been central to their offensive rhythm, averaging a commanding 94.0 air yards (both complete and incomplete passes) per game.
His 63.6 Weighted Opportunity Rating (WOPR)—a key metric of high-value usage—places him among the league’s elite, ranking in the 90th percentile for wide receivers. With the game script favoring a heavy reliance on McLaurin, look for him to clear his yardage prop in a performance worthy of his star status.
Best Bets:
- Texans +3
- Commanders +3
- Joe Mixon | RB | Texans | Anytime TD Scorer (-130)
- Terry McLaurin | WR | Commanders | OVER 60.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
