The cheat sheet: Ravens are the best bet of wild-card weekend
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).