We have now a pair of huge video games within the NFL on Saturday, with three of the groups jostling for spots within the playoffs and the fourth trying to enhance its place.
Two of the league’s hottest groups get the motion underway when the Houston Texans go to the Los Angeles Chargers (4:30 p.m. ET on NFL Community).
Within the second sport of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Inexperienced Bay Packers host the Baltimore Ravens (8 p.m. ET on Peacock).
We’ll break down each video games and take a look at betting angles and supply our favourite performs, in addition to takes on DFS.
Ben Solak, Matt Bowen, Pamela Maldonado, Liz Loza and Eric Moody supply betting and each day fantasy insights.
Word: Odds supplied by DraftKings and topic to vary.
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HOU-LAC: Picks | Props | DFS ideas | Developments
BAL-GB: Picks | Props | DFS ideas | Developments
The Houston Texans have gained seven straight however are a sport again of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who lead the AFC South. The Texans squeaked by the Las Vegas Raiders final week and now head west to tackle the Los Angeles Chargers
The playoff-bound Chargers have gained 4 straight and are a sport again of the Denver Broncos within the AFC West. Justin Herbert and Co. blasted the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 and are a 1.5-point favourite Saturday versus the Texans.
Recreation wager
Chargers Moneyline
Maldonado: The Chargers’ protection is constructed to frustrate Stroud, particularly with Houston’s street effectivity dipping. Plus, Justin Herbert has extra methods to outlive stress and steal a drive late. In a sport seemingly determined by area objectives and execution, I am going to take the house crew outright.
Notable participant props, bets
Justin Herbert over 23.5 yards dashing (-112)
Bowen: Herbert has rushed for 42 or extra yards in two of his final 4 video games, and the Texans’ go rush can pressure him to eject the pocket. Search for Herbert to drag the ball down as a runner on second-reaction performs.
Justin Herbert over 0.5 interceptions (-109)
Loza: Herbert carried out spectacularly in Week 16. He was additionally going through the Cowboys’ protection. Previous to that outing, the Chargers’ sign caller had recorded an INT in 4 straight contests. In reality, he is recorded 12 on the season (tied for the fourth-most with J.J. McCarthy). In the meantime, Houston’s protection has recorded 17 picks (tied for the third-most, satirically with the Bolts) to this point into 2025.
Omarion Hampton over 62.5 dashing yards
Moody: Hampton has logged a minimum of 13 carries in three straight video games since coming back from his ankle harm, averaging 67.3 dashing yards over that span. He might see an expanded workload if Kimani Vidal is restricted with a neck harm. Houston’s defensive entrance is hard, but it surely allowed Ashton Jeanty to hurry for 128 yards in Week 16 behind a below-average Raiders offensive line.
Every day fantasy ideas for DraftKings Captain Showdown
Bowen’s suggestions
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy factors): Nico Collins ($15,600). The Texans can scheme for Collins versus the Chargers’ zone-heavy coverages. Plenty of in-breakers right here on the intermediate ranges for Collins, who has 85 or extra yards receiving in three of his final 4 video games.
Additionally in my lineup: Omarion Hampton ($9,800). You are enjoying the amount and potential scoring upside with Hampton. Since coming back from IR in Week 15, Hampton has a minimum of 15 touches in every of his final three video games. Want some low purple zone carries right here versus the Texans, too.
Loza’s suggestions
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy factors): Nico Collins ($15,600). I am with Bowen on this one. Collins is the Texans’ most decisive playmaker. He is coming off of an underwhelming efficiency in a smooth matchup and, in a sport with the post-season implications, is an effective wager to bounce again.
Additionally in my lineup: Texans D/ST ($3,000). Previous to his Week 16 bounce-back, Herbert had struggled mightily since Joe Alt’s season ended, averaging 13.9 fantasy factors per sport (QB22, simply behind C.J. Stroud’s 14.1 fantasy factors per sport) from Weeks 10 by means of 16. The Texans’ protection performed right down to Vegas final week, however ought to rebound and quiet the Chargers’ in Week 17.
Maldonado’s suggestions
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy factors): Justin Herbert ($15,000). Herbert’s uncooked quantity plus dashing fairness nonetheless wins, even underneath stress.
Additionally in my lineup: Chargers D/ST ($3,800). That is aligning with the Chargers moneyline and the underneath. Herbert plus the protection is the cleanest solution to seize a lot of the scoring with out guessing which ability participant spikes.
Solak’s suggestions
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy factors): Omarion Hampton ($14,700). If Kimani Vidal cannot go, which is predicted, then Hampton ought to have a 20-plus contact day. The Texans’ protection is usually sturdy towards the run, however can battle towards groups with heavy personnel, just like the Chargers. Hampton may even see his route share double, as even when he loses snaps to RB3 Hassan Haskins, it’s going to principally be go safety work. Hampton has 100-plus yard and 2-plus landing days in his right-tail outcomes this week.
Additionally in my lineup: Tre’ Harris ($3,400). Rookie large receiver Harris has been getting an increasing number of concerned within the offense over the previous few weeks. He’s a simple fifth amongst Chargers go catchers in wage, however is coming off of consecutive five-target outings and receiving reward from the teaching employees for his elevated understanding of the offense. He could get jammed a ton by the sector as a result of he makes so many lineups work, but it surely’s arduous to say no to the worth.
Betting tendencies
Courtesy of ESPN Analysis
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The Chargers have lined 4 straight video games total and 4 straight dwelling video games.
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The Texans are 4-1 ATS of their final 5 video games.
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The Chargers are 16-8 ATS as favorites underneath Jim Harbaugh (9-3 ATS as dwelling favorites with three straight covers).
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Unders are 32-17 in Texans video games underneath DeMeco Ryans, tied with the Chiefs for the very best underneath charge since 2023 (10-5 this season).
The Packers are coming off a devastating loss to the Chicago Bears, however the Detroit Lions considerably softened the blow by dropping to the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, sending the Packers to the playoffs the place they’re presently the No. 7 seed. In the meantime, the Ravens are on the skin wanting in. They want a win to remain alive within the AFC North and can want some assistance on Sunday if a winner-take-all matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 is to return to fruition.
Inexperienced Bay is a 4.5-point favourite In Saturday’s matchup, however questions abound at QB, as Jordan Love is out for the Packers whereas Lamar Jackson is uncertain to play for the Ravens.
Recreation wager
Below 40.5 (-120)
Maldonado: Each groups are prime 5 in factors allowed per drive, and neither offense profiles as explosive proper now. Baltimore struggles to complete drives, Inexperienced Bay limits unfavorable performs, and each groups lean run-heavy when defending sport circulate. Add QB uncertainty and a selection climbing right into a low complete, and this units up for lengthy possessions, few brief fields, and area aim makes an attempt.
Notable participant props, bets
Derrick Henry over 72.5 dashing yards
Moody: Henry has amassed a minimum of 90 dashing yards in three consecutive video games. The Ravens could be sensible to lean on the working sport for the reason that Packers’ defensive entrance has ranked twenty seventh in run-stop win charge since Week 12. Henry sits at 1,253 dashing yards this season and may put himself in uncommon firm, needing simply 64 extra yards to crack the highest 10 all-time and go Tony Dorsett.
Josh Jacobs underneath 14.5 dashing makes an attempt (-110)
Loza: Jacobs has gone underneath this quantity in two straight efforts. Whereas the Packers determine to give attention to the bottom sport, Emanuel Wilson, who’s coming off a fantastically environment friendly effort, ought to steal touches in an try to preserve Jacobs wholesome after the Packers clinched a playoff berth with Detroit’s Christmas day loss.
Every day fantasy ideas for DraftKings Captain Showdown
Bowen’s suggestions
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy factors): Derrick Henry ($16,800) feels just like the secure play with each groups working by means of accidents. Henry rushed for a season-best 128 yards within the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots and has topped the 100-yard mark in two straight. Must be a heavy quantity evening for Henry in Inexperienced Bay.
Additionally in my lineup: Brandon McManus ($5,000). I am taking the underneath on this sport, so let’s take a look at particular groups. McManus has a minimum of three area objectives in back-to-back video games, with one from 50-plus yards. And Inexperienced Bay actually struggled within the purple zone final week versus Chicago, which alerts extra alternatives for the kicking sport.
Maldonado’s suggestions
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy factors): Zay Flowers ($14,100) is Baltimore’s fixed, proudly owning practically 30% goal share, producing no matter quarterback. In a low complete sport, his brief space utilization and route quantity give him upside.
Additionally in my lineup: Derrick Henry ($11,200) is the anchor in Baltimore’s sport script, even with a barely lowered share as a result of he instructions excessive leverage carries and carries landing fairness. If QB play is restricted or conservative, Henry’s quantity stabilizes.
Solak’s suggestions
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy factors): Malik Willis ($13,500). With Love dominated out, Willis is an auto-smash because the beginning quarterback, as he has Tier 1 dashing capacity for the place. I’ll have some Willis lineups with none go catchers included within the flex in an effort to get distinctive and anticipate a particularly run-heavy method from Inexperienced Bay.
Additionally in my lineup: Keaton Mitchell ($3,200). The Ravens are clearly dedicated to utilizing Mitchell in a timeshare with Derrick Henry, because the fourth quarter towards the Patriots demonstrated. I am completely satisfied to roster Mitchell for the anticipated 8-10 touches, however even when his position is minimized, his game-breaking velocity makes him a fascinating flex play for the one-play landing pop.
Loza’s suggestions
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy factors): Derrick Henry ($16,800). Henry has managed a minimum of 20 carries and both discovered the tip zone or posted triple-digit dashing stats in every of his final three outings with Tyler Huntley as Baltimore’s starter. Belief the amount in Week 17.
Additionally in my lineup: Keaton Mitchell ($3,200). Mitchell rotated forward of Henry over the last 12 minutes of Baltimore’s outing versus New England final Sunday evening. He is managed a minimum of eight carries in back-to-back efforts. The speedster might shock towards a Packers’ protection that continues to battle with accidents.
Betting tendencies
Courtesy of ESPN Analysis
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The Ravens are 0-3 ATS as underdogs this season.
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The Packers are 0-4 ATS after a loss this season.
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Lamar Jackson is 34-17-2 ATS in his profession on the street, together with 10-2 ATS as a street underdog (8-4 outright). Jackson is 12-2-1 ATS in his profession as an underdog (10-5 outright).
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The Ravens are 1-6 ATS towards groups with successful information this season and 1-5 ATS of their final six video games total.
