The 2025 NFL playoffs are ready to kick off, with super wild-card weekend just around the corner.

The playoff action starts Saturday, featuring six wild-card games over three days. Four of these games are re-matches from the regular season, and betting lines show three of them are expected to be closely contested, with spreads of a field goal or less.

First up is the AFC South champion Houston Texans hosting the Los Angeles Chargers at the NRG Stadium, the same location where Jim Harbaugh captured a national title with Michigan just about a year ago. Following that is a Saturday night clash in the AFC North, pitting the rising Baltimore Ravens against the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers.

On Sunday, the lineup kicks off with the Philadelphia Eagles going against the Green Bay Packers in a Week 1 rematch, followed by a late afternoon battle between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. The evening features the Washington Commanders facing off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, another re-match from Week 1 for “Sunday Night Football.” Finally, the Minnesota Vikings take on the Los Angeles Rams to close out the wild-card round on “Monday Night Football” at SoFi Stadium.

This weekend is typically one of the highlights of the sports calendar, and the upcoming NFL wild-card games are expected to fulfill that promise. Analysts and experts are already predicting the outcomes, so let’s take an early look at forecasts and bets for each playoff game on the docket.

Predictions and picks for NFL wild-card games

All odds provided by BetMGM as of Monday, Jan. 6

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 11
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• Location: NRG Stadium (Houston)
• TV: CBS
• Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
• Spread: Chargers (-3)

∎ YSL News: Chargers 23, Texans 20

“Quentin Johnston has just had an impressive game with 13 catches for 186 yards. The Chargers will rely on him to be a consistent receiver to make a playoff impact, backed by the league’s top scoring defense.”

∎ Arizona Republic: Chargers 27, Texans 17

“The Chargers have won their last three matches and boast the best defense in the league, allowing only 301 points this season. I expect them to outscore Houston on the road; interestingly, the Texans also scored 372 points this season, coincidentally allowing the same number of points.”

∎ Pro Football Network: Chargers 20, Texans 17

“The Chargers made the right call to go hard in Week 18 to secure the No. 5 seed. This leads to lesser travel, ensuring good conditions and a matchup against the lower-ranked AFC team. While Los Angeles’ offense has been strong recently, they haven’t exceeded 23 points in their previous four games. Houston scored just 41 points over three games heading into Week 18.”

∎ FOX Sports: Chargers 23, Texans 20

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 11
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: M&T Bank Stadium
• TV: None
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
• Spread: Ravens (-9.5)

∎ YSL News: Ravens 28, Steelers 17

“At this stage in (Lamar) Jackson’s journey, right or wrong, opinions about his success will hinge on his playoff performance as the Ravens’ leading QB. The Steelers enter with four straight losses and no momentum. Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the powerful Ravens offense are likely to dominate.”

∎ Arizona Republic: Ravens 30, Steelers 16

“This will mark the third face-off this season between these division rivals. Pittsburgh secured a narrow win at home, 18-16. Baltimore claimed victory in Week 16, dominating 34-17. The Steelers have slipped into the playoffs losing four straight, while the Ravens are on a hot streak, winning four in a row. We anticipate a repetition of the Week 16 score.”

∎ Pro Football Network: Ravens 24, Steelers 17

“Statistically, the Baltimore Ravens are a significantly better team, excelling in both offense and defense after facing a more challenging schedule this season. They capitalize on a four-game winning streak, while the Pittsburgh Steelers stumble in with a four-game losing streak. Everything indicates Baltimore will win by at least a touchdown, but these AFC North matchups often have unpredictable outcomes.”

∎ FOX Sports: Ravens 31, Steelers 17

Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 12
• Time: 1 p.m.
• Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York)
• TV: CBS
• Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
• Spread: Bills (-9)

∎ YSL News: Bills 30, Broncos 17

“The Broncos have made surprising progress in their rebuilding phase, earning a playoff spot is a significant achievement. In contrast, the Bills are serious contenders for the Super Bowl.  While Denver’s tough defense will make an impact, the Bills possess the more skilled lineup.”

∎ Arizona Republic: Bills 31, Broncos 20

“The Broncos have exceeded our expectations this season, but it would be astonishing if they upset the Bills in Buffalo, where the Bills have maintained an 8-0 record so far. Denver has struggled on the road with just a 4-5 mark. Highmark Stadium will present a tough launch into the postseason for Bo Nix.”

∎ Pro Football Network: Bills 27, Broncos 21

“Among the possible No. 7 seeds entering Week 18, this matchup may be the one that the Bills least wanted to face. Denver’s relentless offensive spirit, mixed with a solid defense, poses a notable challenge for Buffalo.”

∎ FOX Sports: Bills 26, Broncos 22

Catch NFL playoff games on Fubo

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 12
• Time: 4:30 p.m.
• Venue: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
• Broadcast: FOX
• Online Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket), or Fubo
• Point Spread: Eagles (-5.5)

∎ YSL News: Eagles 28, Packers 24

“In their first matchup in Brazil during Week 1, Saquon Barkley rushed for 109 yards and found the end zone twice. The Eagles chose to rest their star running back, who rushed for 2,000 yards, in their last regular-season game to prepare for the Super Bowl. Expect heavy reliance on this key player as the playoffs kick off. The Packers, led by Jordan Love, will aim to make this wild-card matchup a close contest.”

∎ Arizona Republic: Eagles 27, Packers 20

“Despite finishing the season at 11-6, the Packers reached the playoffs only as the final wild-card team. Their challenge? A tough matchup against the 14-3 Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, known for its hostile atmosphere. Green Bay lost to the Eagles 34-29 in Brazil at the beginning of the season. They’ll likely end their season on the same note in Philadelphia.”

∎ Pro Football Network: Eagles 23, Packers 20

“While the Packers excel on offense, the Eagles have the upper hand on defense. Philadelphia will also benefit from being better rested, and the Packers face another injury issue with Jordan Love, making this matchup even trickier.”

∎ FOX Sports: Eagles 25, Packers 21

Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 12
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Venue: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
• Broadcast: NBC
• Online Streaming: Peacock, Fubo
• Point Spread: Buccaneers (-3)

∎ YSL News: Commanders 27, Buccaneers 24

“Mike Evans may have an advantage against the Commanders’ secondary, and Tampa Bay will aim to establish the run with rising RB Bucky Irving. The Buccaneers prevailed over Washington 37-20 in their previous meeting, but that was just Jayden Daniels’ first pro game. The rookie QB has since become a frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.”

∎ Arizona Republic: Commanders 27, Buccaneers 24

“Washington has been on a five-game winning streak, finishing the season at 12-5 and 5-3 on the road. Although Tampa Bay has won their last two outings, they ended the year at 10-7 and only had a 5-4 record at home. Expect the rookie Jayden Daniels to lead the Commanders to a playoff surprise.”

∎ Pro Football Network: Buccaneers 27, Commanders 24

“Washington faced the easiest schedule this season, while Tampa Bay has a slight edge on both offense and defense.”

∎ FOX Sports: Buccaneers 30, Commanders 22

Watch the Commanders face off against the Buccaneers on Peacock

Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams

• Date: Monday, Jan. 13
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Venue: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
• Broadcast: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
• Online Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
• Point Spread: Vikings (-1.5)

∎ YSL News: Vikings 27, Rams 23

Wide receiver Puka Nacua and running back Kyren Williams “combined for 227 yards and one touchdown when Los Angeles defeated Minnesota in their previous matchup during Week 8. The Vikings come off a disappointing loss in Week 18 that halted their nine-game winning streak. However, expect Justin Jefferson to bounce back after being limited to just three catches for 54 yards in the regular-season finale, leading to a Vikings victory.”

∎ Arizona Republic: Vikings 21, Rams 20

“The Vikings had an impressive season with only three losses, two of which were against the Lions. The only other defeat was a 30-20 setback to the Rams in Week 8. This matchup is likely to be a defensive battle, but Minnesota should clinch the win in a nail-biter. The loss to the Lions in Week 18 could serve as a good wake-up call for Minnesota.”

∎ Pro Football Network: Vikings 24, Rams 23

“Experience is key in high-pressure games. Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford have faced numerous prime-time games, while Kevin O’Connell and Sam Darnold have far less experience.”

∎ FOX Sports: Vikings 24, Rams 21

Stream the Vikings versus Rams with ESPN+