The NFL’s Wild Card Weekend has been traditionally bonkers.
To date, there have been 12 fourth-quarter lead modifications, probably the most in a single postseason all-time. There have been 4 game-winning touchdowns within the closing three minutes, additionally probably the most in a single postseason all-time. And there have been 4 comeback wins within the closing three minutes of the fourth quarter, which — you guessed it — is probably the most in a single postseason all-time.
And there are nonetheless eight extra playoff video games to play.
The wild Wild Card Weekend concludes on Monday night time when the NFC North champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the streaking Houston Texans collide at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers (10-7) slipped into the playoffs when Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed a possible game-winning 44-yard subject objective final week, handing the division title to the Black and Gold. In the meantime, the Texans (12-5) have ridden one of the best protection within the NFL to a league-best 9 straight wins. Monday’s winner will advance to the Divisional Spherical and a matchup towards the New England Patriots (15-3).
Houston is a 3-point favourite over Pittsburgh on Monday.
Whereas Texans vs. Steelers is the marquee attraction on Monday, there are different choices on a sporting panorama that features six NBA video games, a full school basketball schedule and a nine-game NHL slate. Beneath is a snapshot of what to observe and guess for Monday, Jan. 12. All instances Jap.
NFL greatest bets, the place to observe
Texans at Steelers
Time: 8:15 p.m. | Location: Pittsburgh | TV: ABC/ESPN | Stream: Fubo (Attempt at no cost)
SportsLine picks — Mannequin: Steelers +133 | Knowledgeable: Steelers +3 (Larry Hartstein)
The Texans’ pass-rushing duo of Danielle Hunter (15 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (12) are the primary teammates to every have 10-plus sacks in back-to-back seasons since Jerry Hughes and Mario Williams did so for the 2013-14 Payments. Behind Hunter and Anderson, Houston led the NFL in complete protection (277.2) and ranked second in scoring protection (17.4) through the common season. Nonetheless, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has struggled on the street this season, finishing simply 60.9% of his passes, with 9 touchdowns, seven interceptions and an 81.3 passer ranking (versus 69.1%, 10 touchdowns, one interception and a 107.4 ranking at house). “I am anticipating a sport that goes right down to the wire and love grabbing a full subject objective with the house canine,” Hartstein says. The SportsLine Projection Mannequin, which simulates each NFL sport 10,000 instances, says there is a 49.0% probability the Steelers win and assigns a B grade to the Pittsburgh cash line (+133).
NBA greatest bets, the place to observe
Celtics at Pacers
Time: 7:30 p.m. | Location: Indianapolis | TV: Peacock | Stream: Fubo (Attempt at no cost)
SportsLine picks — Mannequin: Over 225.5 | Knowledgeable: Payton Pritchard Over 22.5 complete factors -109 (Mike Barner)
The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown made headlines after Saturday’s 100-95 loss to the Spurs when he went on an expletive-laden rant towards the officers, who awarded Boston simply 4 free throw makes an attempt within the sport. Brown is making information at present for an additional cause: He is listed as uncertain towards the Pacers due to decrease again spasms. He has missed simply two video games this season. Barner notes that, within the two video games that Brown missed, Pritchard scored 20 factors on 21 shot makes an attempt and 33 factors on 24 shot makes an attempt. “The potential for Pritchard to try round 20 pictures towards a Pacers crew that ranks twentieth within the league in defensive ranking makes this Over interesting,” Barner says. In the meantime, the SportsLine Projection Mannequin says there is a 65.9% the groups mix for 226 factors or extra and offers a B grade to Over 225.5.
Faculty basketball greatest bets, the place to observe
Navy at American
Time: 7 p.m. | Location: Washington D.C. | TV: CBSSN | Stream: Fubo (Attempt at no cost)
SportsLine picks — Mannequin: American +2.5 | Knowledgeable: Navy -115 (Bruce Marshall)
The Navy Midshipmen can earn simply their third 5-0 begin in Patriot League play once they tackle the high-scoring American Eagles at Bender Area. The Midshipmen (12-5, 4-0 in Patriot) also can safe their greatest 18-game begin to a season since 2020-21. Navy leads the league in scoring protection (63.5 factors per sport), whereas the Eagles (9-8, 2-2) lead the Patriot in scoring offense (77.4). Marshall notes that the Midshipmen will likely be motivated to avenge their loss to American in final season’s Patriot League title sport, which saved them out of the NCAA Match. In the meantime, the SportsLine Projection Mannequin says there is a 60.0% probability the Eagles cowl and assigns a B grade to American +2.5.
NHL greatest bets, the place to observe
Kraken at Rangers
Time: 7 p.m. | Location: New York Metropolis | TV: NHL Web | Stream: Fubo (Attempt at no cost)
SportsLine picks — Mannequin: Below 6
The struggling New York Rangers will attempt to cease their three-game dropping streak when fhey sq. off towards the Seattle Kraken at Madison Sq. Backyard. The Rangers (20-20-6) have simply 46 factors; simply two groups within the Jap Convention have fewer. New York has scored simply 120 targets this season, the second-fewest within the East. In the meantime, the Kraken (20-15-8), with 48 factors, at the moment personal the highest Wild Card spot within the Western Convention. They’ve been enjoying nicely just lately, having misplaced solely as soon as in regulation of their final 11 video games (8-1-2). The SportsLine Projection Mannequin says there is a 64.4% probability the groups mix for 5 targets or fewer and offers a robust A grade to Below 6 complete targets.
