NFL Wild Card predictions: Picks against the spread for both Saturday games

NFL Wild Card predictions: Picks against the spread for both Saturday games

Welcome to the NFL’s wild-card weekend, the football fans and bettors’ reward for having had to endure 18 weeks of mediocre, bad and terrible teams. 

It’ll be wall-to-wall playoff games from 4:30 Saturday afternoon until about 11:30 Monday night.

And there won’t be a Giant or Jet in sight — unless you’re counting Saquon Barkley of the Eagles or Sam Darnold of the Vikings or Todd Bowles of the Bucs. 

Let’s dig right in. 

SATURDAY 

Los Angeles Chargers (-3) over HOUSTON TEXANS Under 42.5: There’s playoff experience, then there’s Justin Herbert’s playoff experience. The Chargers’ quarterback has played in one postseason game and it started out great, with a 27-0 lead against the Jaguars in 2022. But that was in an era when the Bolts were blowing games in all kinds of ways, and they ended up losing, 31-30. 

C.J. Stroud’s playoff debut last season was much better. He threw three touchdown pᴀsses in the first half, then watched Joe Flacco throw two pick-sixes in what became a 45-14 blowout for the Texans (then 9-7) against the Browns (who came in at 11-5). 

This should be a compeтιтive game, with the difference being first-year Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. He has taken the 49ers to the Super Bowl, won the national championship at Michigan and now succeeded at getting the Chargers to stop shooting themselves in the foot. Their nine giveaways (three interceptions and six lost fumbles) were the second-fewest in the NFL this season. 

C.J. Stroud and the Texans host the Chargers in the first game Saturday.
C.J. Stroud and the Texans host the Chargers in the first game Saturday. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Stroud will be without his No. 2 receiving threat, Tank Dell, and the offense has been off-kilter all season.

The Chargers have injury questions about both running backs, with J.K. Dobbins listed as questionable and Gus Edwards missing the last two games.

But Herbert and Harbaugh have been figuring it out all season, going 7-2 against the spread (ATS) on the road as part of a 12-5 ATS mark. 

Chargers, 23-17 

The Ravens are big home favorites against the Steelers.
The Ravens are big home favorites against the Steelers. Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers (+10) over BALTIMORE RAVENS; Under 43.5: Next Harbaugh up is John, and if you want to back him, you have to lay double digits against the Ravens’ death rivals, the Steelers.

Those into recency bias can fixate on Baltimore’s 34-17 hammering of Pittsburgh on Dec. 21. But if you consider the 10 meetings before that, the biggest margin of victory by either team was seven points and the average margin was 3.7 points. 

Betting on the NFL?

In the Dec. 21 matchup, Zay Flowers had 100 yards receiving for the Ravens, but he will miss this game with a knee injury he suffered last week. 

The coaches, Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin, know each other so well, and the players hate each other so much, and Russell Wilson should make enough plays to keep this close throughout.

Going to take the Under because in the 10 Ravens-Steelers matchups this decade, the average total score was 35.1 points. 

Ravens, 24-16 

LOCK OF THE WEEK: Steelers (Locks 9-9 in 2024). 
LAST WEEK: 9-7 overall, 1-2 Best Bets.

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Dave Blezow’s one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks dating back 31 years. He won the Post’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most recently in 2023.

Related Posts

Miami Dolphins’ billionaire owner Stephen Ross closes in on shock deal to expand his sports portfolio

Miami Dolphins’ billionaire owner Stephen Ross closes in on shock deal to expand his sports portfolio

Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross is digging into his pockets for a new venture as he reportedly is closing in on a roughly 45% stake of…

Kansas City Chiefs pay tribute to star player who died trying to save three children from drowning

Kansas City Chiefs pay tribute to star player who died trying to save three children from drowning

The Kansas City Chiefs have paid tribute to former team running back Joe Delaney, who pᴀssed away 42 years ago Sunday trying to save three children from…

Worrying update on Shedeur Sanders’ NFL future as Browns decision looms after QB’s draft humiliation

Worrying update on Shedeur Sanders’ NFL future as Browns decision looms after QB’s draft humiliation

There’s been a worrying update on Shedeur Sanders’ NFL future as the Cleveland Browns prepare to name their starting quarterback later this summer. Sanders, who infamously fell…

NFL fans hail ‘incredible’ Jason Kelce over million charity gesture after Eagles legend’s Speedo dance

NFL fans hail ‘incredible’ Jason Kelce over $1million charity gesture after Eagles legend’s Speedo dance

Jason and Kylie Kelce has been widely praised after helping raise more than $1million for the Eagles Autism Foundation. The former NFL star and his wife were…

Tom Brady lifts the lid on his Las Vegas Raiders role after NFL skepticism

Tom Brady lifts the lid on his Las Vegas Raiders role after NFL skepticism

The addition of Tom Brady to the ownership board of the Las Vegas Raiders led to many raised eyebrows across the league. Now, the former champion is…

Longtime NFL official Carl Paganelli retires after 25 years in the league

Longtime NFL official Carl Paganelli retires after 25 years in the league

NFL official Carl Paganelli is retiring after 25 years in the league, starting his tenure in professional football in 1999.  Paganelli, 65, was a full-time umpire in…