Will Tyreek Hill stay with the Dolphins or head to another NFL team?
USA Today’s Safid Deen breaks down the current situation with Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins.
Sports Pulse
The first year of the Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles has resulted in a playoff appearance. Much like his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh took a talented, but underperforming Chargers team and brought them to relevancy.
Of course, the 49ers didn’t just reach the playoffs. They reached the NFC Championship Game. The Chargers are two wins away from such a feat, and standing in their way in the wild card round is the Houston Texans.
Despite regression from quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Texans cruised to an AFC South title. They haven’t been playing their best football though, and going against a stout Chargers’ defense and methodical offense could be their downfall.
Here are our experts’ predictions for this wild card showdown.
Texans vs. Chargers odds, moneyline, over/under
The Chargers are favorites to defeat the Texans, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
- Spread: Chargers (-3)
- Moneyline: Chargers (-160); Texans (+135)
- Over/under: 42.5
NFL wild card odds, predictions and picks
Texans vs. Chargers | Ravens vs. Steelers | Bills vs. Broncos | Eagles vs. Packers | Buccaneers vs. Commanders | Rams vs. Vikings
Lorenzo Reyes: Chargers 21, Texans 20
I think this one will come down to whichever defense does a better job of shutting down the opposing offense. And though both of these units are very good in their own ways, I like that the Chargers clamp down in the red zone, ending the regular season ranked first in efficiency (45%). Houston, by comparison, was 27th in defensive red zone efficiency (63.64%).
Tyler Dragon: Chargers 25, Texans 21
The Chargers have the top scoring defense in the NFL and enter the postseason on a three-game winning streak. Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Tuli Tuipulotu have advantages against Houston’s poor offensive line. C.J. Stroud was sacked an AFC-high 52 times in the regular season. Justin Herbert has never won a playoff game, but this time around he has Jim Harbaugh at the helm.
Jordan Mendoza: Chargers 23, Texans 17
Los Angeles’ defense presents many problems for a Houston team that barely crossed the finish line. C.J. Stroud can’t get much going and the Chargers advance.
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