NFL Tips: Wild Card Weekend Saturday Predictions, Tips, & Betting Odds

Here you can find all our NFL tips for this Saturday’s Wild Card Weekend action as the playoffs have finally arrived.

There are two games on the Saturday slate with the AFC South champions Texans welcoming the wildcard Los Angeles Chargers to Houston in this year’s playoff opener. The second game on the docket sees two old foes renew their rivalry with the AFC North champion Ravens hosting their bitter division rivals in Saturday’s late game.

Below you’ll find our predictions, tips, betting odds and previews for both of Saturday’s wildcard games.

NFL Tips – Saturday Wild Card Weekend Preview

Texans (4) vs. Chargers (5)

Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Time: 9.30 pm GMT, Saturday, January 11th

Betting Odds

Texans : 13/10 Moneyline Underdogs | +3.5 Handicap @ 8/11

Chargers : 8/13 Moneyline Favourites | -3.5 Handicap @ 21/20

Team Form & Key Players

The Texans enter the playoffs with a 10-7 record, crowned as AFC South champions. However, their success was largely due to competing in arguably the weakest division in football, where they posted a dominant 5-1 record. Outside the division, their 5-6 mark raises concerns about their ability to compete against stronger teams. Defensively, they remain solid, ranking 6th in yards allowed per game and 3rd in passer rating allowed to opposing quarterbacks.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, coming off an exceptional rookie year, has struggled with a sophomore slump, compounded by injuries to star receiver Tank Dell and inconsistent offensive line play. The Texans ended the season poorly, with losses to the Chiefs (27-19) and Ravens (31-2) highlighting their struggles against the AFC’s elite teams.

The Los Angeles Chargers boast an 11-6 record as the AFC’s top wildcard team. Their season has been defined by an outstanding defence, which led the league in points allowed per game (17.7) and red zone touchdown percentage (45%).

Under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers have undergone a cultural transformation. Harbaugh, known for his postseason pedigree, has reinvigorated the franchise. Quarterback Justin Herbert remains a key figure, but with an improved defence and running game, he is no longer solely responsible for the team’s success. They look well set up to make a deep run in these playoffs and are a dark-horse Super Bowl contender in my eyes.

Head-to-Head

The Chargers lead the all-time series against Houston 6-3-0. However, the Texans have won three of the last five meetings.

Their most recent encounter was in 2022, with the Chargers securing a 34-24 victory in Houston.

Tip

The Chargers to cover the -3.5 handicap. The Texans’ December losses to the Chiefs and Ravens exposed their vulnerabilities, particularly on offence, where C.J. Stroud’s confidence has been shaken by poor offensive line protection. The Chargers’ elite defence should exploit these weaknesses, while their balanced offensive attack is more than capable of leading them to a comfortable victory.

Tip: Chargers -3.5 @ 21/20

Ravens (3) vs. Steelers (6)

Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Time: 1.00 am GMT, Saturday night/Sunday morning, January 12th

Betting Odds

Ravens : 1/5 Moneyline Favourites | -9.5 Handicap

Steelers : 7/2 Moneyline Underdogs | +9.5 Handicap

Team Form & Key Players

The Baltimore Ravens secured the #3 seed in the AFC with a 12-5 regular season record. The spotlight is firmly on reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, who is coming off his best statistical season to date, although he may be edged out for the MVP award this year by Josh Allen. Jackson's dual-threat ability is amplified by the offseason addition of future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry, creating the league's most potent rushing attack with an average of 187.6 yards per game.

Jackson has also elevated his passing game this season, recording career highs in passing yards (4,172), touchdowns (41), and passer rating (119.6). This balanced offence poses a significant challenge for any defence.

Defensively, the Ravens have rebounded from a shaky start against the pass and finished the season strong in that area. However, there are lingering questions about Baltimore's postseason performance under Jackson and whether kicker Justin Tucker, coming off the worst season of his career, can deliver in clutch playoff moments.

The Pittsburgh Steelers earned the #6 seed in the AFC with a 10-7 record but faltered late in the season, losing their final four games. Their defence remains their strongest asset, anchored by 5-time All-Pro T.J. Watt, who posted 11.5 sacks in the regular season. The Steelers tied for the league lead in takeaways (33), and winning the turnover battle will be essential to their chances of an upset.

The major concern is their offence, led by veteran QB Russell Wilson, who has struggled recently. Wilson failed to surpass 220 passing yards in any of the team's last four games, contributing to their losing streak. If the Steelers are to compete with Baltimore, Wilson must rediscover his earlier season form.

Head-to-Head

The Steelers lead the all-time series 36-26-0 and have dominated recent matchups, winning 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Notably, the Ravens won convincingly in their most recent clash three weeks ago, defeating Pittsburgh 34-17.

Tip

The Steelers to cover the +9.5 spread is the tip here. While the Ravens have the firepower to win this game, the spread feels too big for a clash between division rivals with a history of close contests.

Baltimore's playoff struggles in recent years and Pittsburgh's recent dominance in head-to-head matchups make this a tighter contest than what the line might suggest.

Tip: Steelers +9.5 @ 20/21

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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