NFL Wild Card Predictions | Saturday Two-Game Parlay
Grant White
Host · Writer
We’ve only got so much football left this season, and we will make the rest of the time count. Look at our three-leg Saturday Wild Card parlay, featuring picks from both contests.
NFL Wild Card Saturday Parlay: Chargers Moneyline, George Pickens Over 54.5 Receiving Yards, and Derrick Henry Over 99.5 Rushing Yards
Chargers vs Texans Matchup Page
Spread: Chargers -2.5 (-120) | Texans +2.5 (-102)
Moneyline: Chargers -152 | Texans +128
Total: OVER 42.5 (-105) | UNDER 42.5 (-115)
The Los Angeles Chargers have re-emerged as a top threat in the AFC. Led by Justin Herbert on offense and their conference-leading defense, the Chargers are poised to roll into the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs. Standing in their way is a lackluster and easily defeated Houston Texans squad.
We’re predicting a one-sided affair when the Chargers invade NRG Stadium for Saturday’s clash with the Texans. Los Angeles has been one of the top-performing defenses this year, giving them an edge over a Houston squad that can’t get out of its own way. The Texans finished in the bottom third of the NFL in total offense, mustering 319.7 yards per game, falling even further over the final few weeks. Over their last three games, Houston averaged just 298.7 yards, diminishing its championship aspirations.
Conversely, the Chargers are in another stratosphere with their recent performances. LA averages north of 425.0 yards per game over its previous three contests, boosting its season-long average to 340.2. That ascent continues against a beleaguered Texans defense that has given up an average of 24.0 points per game over their past three.
Expect the Chargers to wield their advantages unmercifully against the Texans. While the spread is in play, we’re taking the Chargers straight up on the moneyline for our parlay purposes.
Leg 1: Chargers Moneyline -152
Chargers vs Texans Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates
Steelers vs Ravens Matchup Page
Spread: Steelers +9.5 (-105) | Ravens -9.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Steelers +440 | Ravens -590
Total: OVER 43.5 (-110) | UNDER 43.5 (-110)
George Pickens has made headlines for all the wrong reasons this season. Thanks to his offseason antics and unapologetic approach, the mercurial wide receiver has been a lightning rod for criticism. While that’s cost him over the season’s final few weeks, we’re eyeing the Wild Card Round as an ideal bounce-back spot as the Pittsburgh Steelers try to up-end the Baltimore Ravens.
Pickens was plagued by issues in Week 18’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The second-year pro hauled in just one of his six targets for no yards. That punctuates an unbecoming stretch in which Pickens has just seven catches on 19 targets over his last three games. Nevertheless, he’s fallen too far off his season averages and is a natural progression candidate heading into the playoffs.
Before this three-game stretch, Pickens had a respectable 63.1% catch rate, nearly double the 36.8% mark he’s had over the last three games. Further, he remains the primary target in the Steelers’ passing attack and should have ample opportunity to excel against the Ravens’ 31st-ranked passing defense.
Pickens is the ideal buy-low candidate on Saturday. His receiving yards prop doesn’t reflect his true potential, and we expect him to put together a vastly improved effort against the Ravens. Over 54.5 receiving yards is our preferred play.
Leg 2: George Pickens Over 54.5 Receiving Yards
We’re dipping back into the Steelers versus Ravens for our last selection. Derrick Henry has made the Tennessee Titans regret moving on from their star pupil. The Titans’ loss is the Ravens’ gain, and we expect Baltimore to shoulder their running back with a heavy load against the Steelers.
Henry has gotten better as the season progressed. The former Offensive Player of the Year has eclipsed 138 rushing yards in three straight and four of his past six. Included in that sample is Week 16’s home contest against the Steelers, in which he ran for 162 yards on 24 carries.
The Ravens running back should have no problem replicating that feat in the Wild Card Round. Pittsburgh has given up 592 rushing yards over its last three games, with three opponents surpassing the century mark. Naturally, their effectiveness has taken a hit on the road, amplifying those concerns of another poor showing in Baltimore.
Henry has bulldozed the Steelers this season, and he’s primed for another solid showing in the first round of the playoffs. His late-season surge continues, with Henry surpassing 99.5 rushing yards on Saturday.
Leg 3: Derrick Henry Over 99.5 Rushing Yards
Parlaying all three picks could yield bettors a noteworthy +472. We expect the Chargers to roll into the Divisional Round, with George Pickens and Derrick Henry leading their respective teams.
Steelers vs. Ravens Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates
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