We have two huge AFL matches on Saturday, with three teams vying for playoff spots while a fourth team tries to improve their position.
Two of the league’s best teams take action when the Houston Texans visit the Los Angeles Chargers (4:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network).
In the second of two games Saturday, the Green Bay Packers host the Baltimore Ravens (8 p.m. ET on Peacock).
We’ll break down both games, look at the betting angles, and present our favorite games, as well as the DFS matchups.
Ben Solak, Matt Bowen, Pamela Maldonado, Liz Loza and Eric Moody provide daily fantasy bets and insights.
Note: Odds provided by Kings Project And subject to change.
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The Houston Texans have won seven straight, but trail the Jacksonville Jaguars, who lead the AFC South. The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Texans last week and now head west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
The playoff-bound Chargers have won four straight and are a matchup with the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. Justin Herbert and Co. slammed the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 and they are 1.5-point favorites on Saturday versus the Texans.
Game bet
Moneyline chargers
Maldonado: The Chargers’ defense is designed to frustrate Stroud, especially with Houston’s reduced route efficiency. Additionally, Justin Herbert has more ways to overcome pressure and steal drives late. In a game that will likely be decided by field goals and execution, I’ll beat the home team outright.
Highlights player props and bets
Justin Herbert rushing for over 23.5 yards (-112)
Bowen: Herbert has rushed for 42 or more yards in two of his last four games, and the Texans’ pass rush could force him out of the pocket. Look for Herbert to pull the ball down as a runner on second reaction plays.
Justin Herbert over 0.5 interceptions (-109)
Risks: Herbert had an amazing performance in Week 16. He was also facing the Cowboys’ defense. Prior to that outing, the Chargers’ signal caller had recorded an INT in four straight contests. In fact, he has scored 12 goals this season (tied for fourth with JJ McCarthy). Meanwhile, Houston’s defense has recorded 17 picks (tied for third, ironically with the Bolts) so far through 2025.
Omarion Hampton over 62.5 yards
Moody: Hampton has recorded at least 13 carries in three straight games since returning from an ankle injury, averaging 67.3 yards during that span. He could see an expanded workload if Kimani Vidal is limited by a neck injury. Houston’s defensive front is tough, but it allowed Ashton Genty to rush for 128 yards in Week 16 behind a below-average Raiders offensive line.
DraftKings Captain Showdown daily fantasy tips
Bowen recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Nico Collins ($15,600). The Texans could plan for Collins against the Chargers’ zone-heavy coverage. There’s plenty of breakout here in the midrange for Collins, who has gained 85 or more yards in three of his last four games.
Also in my lineup: Omarion Hampton ($9,800). You play with size and scoring potential upside with Hampton. Since returning from IR in Week 15, Hampton has at least 15 touches in each of his last three games. Need some low red zone carry here vs. Texas as well.
Loza recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Nico Collins ($15,600). I’m with Bowen on this. Collins is the Texans’ most clinical playmaker. He’s coming off an underwhelming performance in a smooth game, and in a game with postseason implications, he’s a good bet for a comeback.
Also in my lineup: Texans D/ST ($3,000). Before his bounce in Week 16, Herbert had struggled mightily since Joe Alt’s season ended, averaging 13.9 fantasy points per game (QB22, behind CJ Stroud’s 14.1 fantasy points per game) from Weeks 10 through 16. The Texans’ defense played down Vegas last week, but should rebound and calm the Chargers in Week 17.
Maldonado recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Justin Herbert ($15,000). Herbert’s raw volume plus flow equity still wins, even under pressure.
Also in my collection: D/ST Chargers ($3800). This is in line with the Chargers money line and below. Herbert plus defense is the cleanest way to score the most goals without guessing which skill the player will rise to.
Solak’s recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Omarion Hampton ($14,700). If Kimani Vidal can’t go, which is expected, Hampton should have more than 20 days of touches. The Texans’ defense is generally strong against the run, but could face personnel-heavy teams, like the Chargers. Hampton will also see his run doubled, because even if he loses snaps to RB3 Hassan Haskins, it will be mostly pass protection work. Hampton has over 100 receiving yards and over two days of touchdowns in right tailback scores this week.
Also in my lineup: Tre’ Harris ($3,400). Harris, a wide receiver, has been increasingly involved in the offense over the past few weeks. He’s an easy fifth among Chargers’ catchers in terms of salary, but he’s coming off back-to-back five-goal outings and receiving praise from the coaching staff for his increased understanding of the offense. He may be crammed into the field a lot because he makes so many lineups work, but it’s hard to say no to the value.
Betting trends
Courtesy of ESPN Research
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The Chargers have capped four straight games overall and four straight home games.
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The Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
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The Chargers are 16-8 ATS as favorites under Jim Harbaugh (9-3 ATS as home favorites with three straight covers).
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The Unders are 32-17 in Texans games under DeMeco Ryans, tied with the Chiefs for the highest unders since 2023 (10-5 this season).
The Packers are coming off a devastating loss to the Chicago Bears, but the Detroit Lions softened the blow somewhat with their loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, sending the Packers into the playoffs where they currently sit in seventh place. Meanwhile, the Ravens are looking outward. They need a win to stay alive in the AFC North and will need some help on Sunday if a winner-take-all matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 is to come to fruition.
Green Bay is a 4.5-point favorite heading into Saturday’s game, but questions abound at QB, as Jordan Love is exiting the Packers while Lamar Jackson is doubtful to play for the Ravens.
Game bet
Below 40.5 (-120)
Maldonado: Both teams rank in the top five in points allowed per drive, and neither of their offensive profiles are as explosive at the moment. Baltimore struggles to finish drives, Green Bay limits negative plays, and both teams lean hard when protecting the flow of the game. Add uncertainty at QB and the spread going up to a low total, and this sets up for long possessions, a few short fields, and field goal attempts.
Highlights player props and bets
Derrick Henry over 72.5 yards
Moody: Henry has accumulated at least 90 receiving yards in three straight games. The Ravens would be wise to rely on the run game given that the Packers’ defensive front has ranked 27th in pass rush rate since Week 12. Henry sits at 1,253 yards passing this season and could put himself in rare company, needing only 64 more yards to crack the top 10 all-time and pass Tony Dorsett.
Josh Jacobs Under 14.5 rushing attempts (-110)
Risks: Jacobs has gone to that mark on two consecutive attempts. While the Packers focus on the ground game, Emmanuel Wilson, coming off a fantastically efficient effort, will have to steal touches in an effort to keep Jacobs healthy after the Packers clinched a playoff berth with a loss to Detroit on Christmas Day.
DraftKings Captain Showdown daily fantasy tips
Bowen recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Derrick Henry ($16,800) It feels like playing it safe as both teams work through injuries. Henry rushed for a season-best 128 yards in a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots and topped the 100-yard mark on two straight drives. It should be a heavy night for Henry in Green Bay.
Also in my lineup: Brandon McManus ($5,000). I’m taking over in this game, so let’s look at special teams. McManus has at least three field goals in back-to-back games, with one from 50-plus yards. Green Bay really struggled in the red zone last week against Chicago, which suggests more opportunities for the kicking game.
Maldonado recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Zay Flowers ($14,100) He is a constant for Baltimore, where he has nearly 30% target share, and produces regardless of the quarterback. In a low overall game, his short zone usage and route size give him upside.
Also in my lineup: Derrick Henry ($11,200) He is the linchpin in Baltimore’s bullpen scenario, even with a slightly reduced stake because he controls the high leverage and holds the equity. If the QB’s play is limited or conservative, Henry’s size stabilizes.
Solak’s recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Malik Willis ($13,500). With Love left out, Willis is an automatic bust as a starting quarterback, as he has top-tier rushing ability for the position. I will have some of Willis’ lineups without any pass catchers included in the flex version in an attempt to get unique and anticipate a hard-hitting approach from Green Bay.
Also in my lineup: Keaton Mitchell ($3,200). The Ravens are clearly committed to using Mitchell in a timeshare with Derrick Henry, as the fourth quarter against the Patriots showed. I’m happy to list Mitchell for the projected 8-10 touches, but even if his role is downplayed, his game-breaking speed makes him a desirable flex play for one-touchdown pops.
Loza recommendations
Captain (scores 1.5x fantasy points): Derrick Henry ($16,800). Henry has managed at least 20 carries and either found the end zone or posted triple-digit rushing statistics in each of his last three games with Tyler Huntley as Baltimore’s starter. Trust the size at week 17.
Also in my lineup: Keaton Mitchell ($3,200). Mitchell rotated on Henry during the final 12 minutes of Baltimore versus New England last Sunday night. He has managed at least eight campaigns in successive efforts. The speedster could surprise a Packers defense that is still struggling with injuries.
Betting trends
Courtesy of ESPN Research
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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 losing this season.
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Lamar Jackson is 34-17-2 ATS in his road career, including 10-2 ATS as a road underdog (8-4 outright). Jackson is 12-2-1 ATS in his career as an underdog (10-5 outright).
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The Ravens are 1-6 ATS against teams with winning records this season and 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.