CHARGERS at TEXANS

Time: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS 2.

Line: Chargers by 3. Total: 42.

Records (overall/ATS): Chargers 11-6/12-5; Texans 10-7/7-8-2.

Outlook: Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers have the momentum — 8-3 SU/9-2 ATS in their last 11, losing only to playoff teams: the Chiefs (19-17), Ravens (30-23) and Bucs (40-17). Still, their strength of victory (.348) is last among AFC playoff teams, beating only the Broncos twice. Then again, the Texans aren’t much better — sixth in strength of victory (.376), beating only the Bills 23-20 at home in Week 5.

Pick: Chargers 24, Texans 17.

STEELERS at RAVENS

Time: 7 p.m. Saturday, Prime Video.

Line: Ravens by 10. Total: 43½.

Records (overall/ATS): Steelers 10-7/11-6; Ravens 12-5/10-6-1.

Outlook: Rubber game in this AFC North rivalry — Steelers won 18-16 in Pittsburgh in Week 11; Ravens won 34-17 at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 16. The Steelers were Lamar Jackson’s kryptonite (5 TDs, 8 INTs) until the last meeting, when he had a 115.4 rating (3 TDs, 1 INT). Ravens’ defense reverted to form in the final seven games, ranking first in the NFL in points allowed (15.4) and yards allowed (261.7).

Pick: Ravens 24, Steelers 10.

BRONCOS at BILLS

Time: Noon Sunday, CBS 2.

Line: Bills by 8½. Total: 47.

Records (overall/ATS): Broncos 10-7/12-5; Bills 13-4/10-7.

Outlook: Sean Payton gave a master class on what the right coach can do for a rookie QB — Bo Nix had a 105.7 rating in his last 10 games (69.7%, 252.9 ypg, 24 TDs, 7 INTs) after having a 74.4 rating in his first seven (5 TDs. 5 INTs). The playoffs are a different animal, but C.J. Stroud won his opener impressively (157.2 rating) last year; and the 49ers’ Brock Purdy did the same (131.5) in 2023.

Pick: Bills 24, Broncos 17.

PACKERS at EAGLES

Time: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Fox 32.

Line: Eagles by 4½. Total: 45.

Records (overall/ATS): Packers 11-6/9-8; Eagles 14-3/11-6.

Outlook: Both teams enter the playoffs with quarterback issues. The Eagles’ Jalen Hurts has missed the last two games in concussion protocol but practiced Wednesday and Thursday and is expected to start — though he could be rusty after the layoff. The Packers’ Jordan Love left the season finale vs. the Bears with an elbow injury and
has been limited in practice this week. Edge: Eagles.

Pick: Eagles 20, Packers 13.

COMMANDERS at BUCS

Time: 7 p.m. Sunday, NBC 5.

Line: Bucs by 3. Total: 50.

Records (overall/ATS): Bucs 10-7/10-7; Commanders 12-5/10-6-1.

Outlook: Two also-rans in the Bears’ OC search face off here (hmm . . .) — the Commanders’ Kliff Kingsbury mentored Jayden Daniels into an impressive rookie season; the Bucs’ Liam Coen improved on the job Dave Canales did with Baker Mayfield that earned Canales the Panthers’ head coaching job. Bucs won 37-20 in Week 1. But Mayfield’s NFL-high 16 INTs make any game risky . . .

Pick: Commanders 31, Bucs 30.

VIKINGS at RAMS

Time: 7 p.m. Monday in Glendale, Arizona, ABC 7, ESPN.

Line: Vikings by 2. Total: 47½.

Records (overall/ATS): Vikings 14-3/11-5-1; Rams 10-7/9-8.

Outlook: The Rams have lost true home-field advantage with the game being moved because of the California wildfires. The Rams are 5-4 SU/4-5 ATS at SoFi Stadium, including a 30-20 victory against the Vikings in Week 8. Vikings QB Sam Darnold’s implosion in the spotlight vs. the Lions — 18 of 41, 166 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 55.5 rating) was a red flag.

Pick: Rams 27, Vikings 24 (OT).

The draft is three weeks away now. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have pieced together an off-season that is earning widespread praise across the league. The question is whether they can stick the landing with their 1st round pick in the draft. Current projections have the top three picks likely being a mix of Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, and Abdul Carter. After that, it gets tricky. People in Chicago want to know where running back Ashton Jeanty will end once the dust settles.

Widespread belief has been that the Las Vegas Raiders are the heavy favorites to take him at 6th overall, with New Orleans at #9 also being a possibility. It makes sense. Las Vegas’ best option right now is a 33-year-old Raheem Mostert. New Orleans knows Alvin Kamara turns 30 in July. Both teams need to think about the future at that position. Both have head coaches who like to run the ball. One thing is clear. A source told SM that those around the league believe one thing is certain.

“He likely won’t get passed Chicago if he falls that far.”

Ashton Jeanty is a strong probability for the Bears.

Whispers from Halas Hall indicate they love the Boise State star. It isn’t hard to see why. He nearly broke Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record in 2024, nearly winning the Heisman in the process. The guy carried his team to the college football playoffs. He’s built like a brick house with power, speed, contact balance, and vision. There aren’t any truly glaring weaknesses in his game. He’s earned comparisons to the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshawn Lynch. The Bears haven’t had a back of that caliber since Matt Forte.

Try to imagine what this offense could look like with Ashton Jeanty, Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Cole Kmet all as options for quarterback Caleb Williams. Throw all of it into Johnson’s offense, and you can understand why some people around the league aren’t wild about the idea. They are quietly hoping Jeanty goes somewhere else. One thing is certain. If he gets past the Raiders, the noise will get loud in a hurry. It would mark the first time in 20 years the Bears have taken a running back in the 1st round.