Even though the regular season has ended, we continue to place bets. We’re degenerates after all. This year’s Wild Card Weekend presents two AFC West matchups to place wagers on. Saturday, the Los Angeles Chargers travel to Houston to take on the Houston Texans with a serious shot to move on to the next round. On Sunday, the Denver Broncos will face the Buffalo Bills in the frigid conditions of Western New York. We have plenty of picks for both games, so let’s begin.
All lines and odds come via DraftKings.
AFC West: Betting Wildcard Weekend Matchups
Chargers @ Texans
Under 42.5 Total Points (-112)
Chargers -3 (-105)
J.K. Dobbins Anytime TD (+120)
Parlay odds: +675
Despite being the lower seed and playing on the road, the Chargers remain favored for good reason. Los Angeles has been playing excellent football as of late thanks to a stout defense and a well-balanced offense. On the other side, the Texans really only snuck into the postseason because they play in a terrible division. Poor offensive line play has exacerbated CJ Stroud’s disappointing sophomore year. However, the defense is still playing great.
Expect a low-scoring affair in which the Chargers do just enough on offense to get the job done. Los Angeles will likely try to reduce Stroud’s opportunities by pounding the rock a ton, so take Dobbins to score with some good value. The Chargers should win this one around 20-13, which would cover the spread and put the total comfortably UNDER.
Broncos @ Bills
Bills -8.5 (-108)
Bo Nix Under 226.5 Pass Yards (-110)
Von Miller Over 0.25 Sacks (+225)
Bo Nix has had a fantastic run in his rookie season. His play, and the Broncos’ overall, has exceeded the expectations of many this year. It all comes to a screeching halt in Buffalo. The Bills are simply too talented and Josh Allen is playing too well for this team to get upset in the first round. If anyone beats them this year, it will be one of the big dogs like the Kansas City Chiefs or Baltimore Ravens.
The Bills should have no problem covering the spread this week. Anticipate Nix to face a formidable defense. Despite his advanced age, expect Von Miller to contribute significantly to the sack column this week. The veteran edge rusher currently has a two-game sack streak going and a long history of getting to the quarterback in the playoffs. The value is too attractive to pass up at +225.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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