NFL Wild Card Weekend Anytime Touchdown Scorer Predictions: Best Bets for Saturday, January 11?

It's Saturday, and we have two NFL Wild Card playoff matchups on the slate! If you're betting on the NFL today, the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans will match up for the early showdown. Divisional rivals, the Baltimore Ravens will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore!

(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

In this article, I will provide my top anytime touchdown predictions for the playoff matchup. With that said, I am up 15 units on the month in sports betting. Looking to stay in the green, I've gathered a list of both running backs and wide receivers I believe will cross the goal line Saturday.

Let's take a deeper look into my three best anytime touchdown scorer predictions and best bets for Saturday, January 11. Gear up and get your popcorn out, these are two highly anticipated NFL Wild Card weekend showdowns!

Are you in search of further NFL and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here. 

NFL Wild Card Weekend Touchdown Scorer Predictions for Saturday, January 11: J.K. Dobbins

J.K. Dobbins Anytime TD Odds: +115 (DraftKings)

2024-2025 NFL Stats

GP: 13  | Carries: 195 | Rushing Yards: 905 | Avg Rushing: 4.6 | Rush TD: 9 | Rec TD: 0 | Rush Long: 61 | First Down: 47

My first bet for NFL Wild Card Weekend, I placed one unit on Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins to score a touchdown for +115 odds on DraftKings vs the Texans.

Listed as questionable to suit up for today's showdown, Dobbins reaggravated an ankle injury in the final opener vs the Raiders. Back from injury just two weeks ago, Dobbins is undeniably a monumental part of the Chargers offense.

Coming over with Gus Edwards from the Ravens in free agency, there's no doubt he's the top back. Out snapping Edwards 513-213 overall this season, Dobbins has a prime matchup with the Texans today. That's if the back is able to lace up.

Although out with injury for four games, Dobbins managed to end the season leading all receivers and running backs with 9 rushing touchdowns. Just 95 yard shy of  eclipsing 1,000 yards rushing, he's the clear cut guy both on the ground and in the red zone.

Scoring a touchdown in 9/13 games played is fairly impressive, and bettors witnessed Dobbins have massive scoring outings vs the Browns and first two weeks of the season. Although Dobbins has failed to notch over 100 yards since week two, that's okay. For this prop, I'm simply betting on Dobbins to score a touchdown.

• A crucial x-factor and catalyst for the offense, Dobbins provides both a spark and explosiveness they need to capture a must win victory on the road Saturday.

J.K. Dobbins Is A Crucial X-Factor For The Chargers Offense

Let's face it, the Texans suffered some slight regression in CJ Stroud's second season. While DeMeco Ryans is notoriously known for his defense, the Texans allowed opponents to score nearly 64 percent in the red zone. Conversely, the Texans have been strong against the run, allowing the 6th fewest rushing touchdowns in the NFL (8).

Good news aside, over the last three weeks, the Texans have allowed three rushing touchdowns during the span. All to Patrick Mahomes, Kareem Hunt, and Derrick Henry. While they've typically limited running backs as a whole, Dobbins is the top red zone guy.

• Rushing for 74 yards on 25 attempts inside the 20, the back has seven rushing yards alone. Two of those came outside the 20 yard line.

If receiver Quentin Johnston is unable to play this afternoon, I love the chances of LA running the ball more in scoring position. While Johnston has been a massive scoring threat with 8 touchdowns on the season, that leaves Justin Herbert to connect with Ladd McConkey and Will Dissly. To make this even more enticing, Josh Palmer is inactive for the AFC Wild Card matchup.

Final Anytime Touchdown NFL Wild Card Weekend betting prediction: J.K. Dobbins ATS (+115 DraftKings)

Overall, the Texans rank 6th in rush EPA, and allow by far more passing touchdowns than rushing. A long shot at +115 odds, this is one of my boldest predictions for Wild Card Weekend.  A tank for the Chargers, Dobbins averaged 69.6 rushing yards per game, which was a a career-high. Given the Chargers lack somewhat in the red zone, they still convert on 56 % of their plays.

The question remains, can Dobbins plow through a Chargers defense that limits opponents to scoring 45 %? Leaders in that category, this will be a tall task. Since returning from Injury, Dobbins has two rushing touchdowns since week 15. Look for Dobbins to once again lead the attempts in the end zone. A plus money prediction, the back played 65 % of the snaps last week.

• One of my best bets for Saturday, I'm taking J.K. Dobbins to score a touchdown this NFL Wild Card weekend for +115 odds. If healthy, the back should be able to capitalize off that 63 % opposing scoring rate. 

NFL Wild Card Weekend Touchdown Scorer Predictions for Saturday, January 11: Ladd McConkey

Ladd McConkey Anytime TD Odds: +135 (DraftKings)

2024-2025 NFL Stats

GP: 16  | Receptions: 82| Targets: 112 | Receiving Yards: 1,149 | Avg: 14.0 | Rec TD: 7 | Rush TD: 0 | Long Rec: 60 | First Down: 52

My second best bet for the NFL Wild Card weekend, I placed one unit on Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey to score a touchdown for +135 odds on DraftKings vs the Texans.

McConkey was a late flyer in my fantasy football drafts, and more than proved himself in his rookie campaign. Notching well over 1,000 receiving yards, there's a new no. 1 wideout for Justin Herbert. No Keenan Allen, no problem. The Georgia standout now gets his first NFL playoff opportunity of his career.

As I mentioned before, the Texans allow opponents to score 63.64 % in the red zone, making that the 6th highest in the NFL. While their rushing defense has been incredible, the Texans allow 2.5 touchdowns per game. With that said, Houston's allowed 2.7 overall touchdowns over the final three weeks of the season.

Ladd McConkey Has An Elite Matchup vs The Texans

If Johnston is unable to lace up, this leaves the door wide open for McConkey. Herbert's top option, he led all Chargers receivers in yards (1,149), targets (112), averaging 71.8 yards per game. The second leading touchdown scorer with seven, the wideout led all receivers in the red zone with five touchdowns.

A fantastic route runner, McConkey understands every assignment. A player that receives 22.7 % of the teams total targets, McConkey holds one of the lowest drop rates at 6.3 %. Paired with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, bettors have seen McConkey tear apart the Saints and Patriots for multi-touchdown performances.

Although the receiver had a scoreless drought in weeks 9-13, McConkey recorded three touchdowns in the final four weeks of the season. Coming off back-t0-back 90+ receiving yard performances, the floor is Ladd's tonight.

Final Anytime Touchdown NFL Wild Card Weekend betting prediction: Ladd McConkey ATS (+135 DraftKings)

Given the Chargers run pass plays nearly 60 % of the time, Herbert will face a tough Texans pass rush. Ranking second in the NFL in drop back sack rate, Herbert won't get a ton of time in the pocket. However, if he does, McConkey has a challenging matchup in the slot, especially against a weaker safety and corner back core. . Having success in the left and right slot, we've seen McConkey tear it up on the right outside.

Overall, the Texans gave up the most touchdowns to wide receivers with 21, and that alone creates a size able matchup for McConkey. Targeted 18 times in the final two games of the season, expect McConkey to connect with Herbert, giving him his first career playoff win.

• One of my best bets for Saturday, I'm going with Ladd McConkey to score a touchdown for +135  odds 

NFL Wild Card Weekend Touchdown Scorer Predictions for Saturday, January 11: Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry Anytime TD Odds: -185  (DraftKings)

2024-2025 NFL Stats

GP: 17  | Carries: 325 | Rushing Yards: 1,921 | Avg Rushing: 5.9| Rush TD: 16 | Rec TD: 2 | Rush Long: 87 | First Down: 94

My third best bet for Saturday, I placed one unit on Ravens running back Derrick Henry to score a touchdown for -185 odds on DraftKings vs the Steelers.

Sure, this line is juiced at -185, however there is still some great value in the play. We are talking about Derrick Henry, one of the best backs in the entire NFL. Just shy of the rushing title, Henry knows the steelers very well.

• With nearly 2,000 rushing yards on the season, Henry found the end zone a total of 18 times. Mainly used as a rusher, we've seen a few instances where Henry has been utilized as a receiver in the backfield for Lamar Jackson.

He now faces a stingy Steelers defense led by TJ Watt and company. With that said, Pittsburgh allows 2.3 touchdowns per game, including less than one rushing touchdown per game. If there's one running back that can break the cycle, it's certainly Henry.

Finishing out the season with 3 touchdowns in the final two matchups vs the Browns and the Texans, can anyone truly stop Derrick Henry? I've mentioned this previously in my past articles, and it's true. With 18 touchdowns in a span of 13 games, that's an absurd stat line.

• Henry is a beast, and is a crucial reason, along with Lamar Jackson, why the Ravens are Super Bowl contenders.

Final Anytime Touchdown NFL Wild Card Weekend betting prediction: Derrick Henry ATS (-185 DraftKings)

Failing to cross the goal line in the December 21 matchup vs the Steelers, Henry scored a touchdown in 2/3 past head-to-head matchups. This includes the Ravens November 17 outing in Pittsburgh. Although it was a one yard punch in, I'm confident Henry will do so again Saturday.

With high winds in Baltimore, I expect the Ravens to run the ball and keep possession of the clock at times. Overall, the Steelers have given up 12 rushing touchdowns to running backs, which is middle of the road. Given Pittsburgh allowed opponents to score over 54 %, we are talking about a high power offense.

Under Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman, the Ravens hold the highest red zone scoring percentage in the NFL (74.24 %). Given the Steeles are 17th in rush EPA, Baltimore holds the second highest rush EPA rate in the NFL. Scoring the 6th most rushing touchdowns per game (21), expect Henry to lead the offense.

• In a must win AFC Divisional Wild Card matchup, I'll take Derrick Henry to score a touchdown for -185 odds.  If you want to spice things up, take King Henry for 2+ touchdowns for +310 odds.