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The opening weekend of the NFL playoff schedule has been finalized, and the AFC Wild Card games will be the first three matchups of the postseason.

AFC Wild Card odds: Browns (-2.5) vs. Texans

As is customary for NFL schedule makers, the champions of the AFC South kick off the postseason on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CST. Unlike Texans’ teams of years past, this one has a glimmer of hope to make a run.

Houston hit a home run with C.J. Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud amassed 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 games, greatly outpacing his fellow rookie QBs.

Nico Collins is having a breakout year with 1,297 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, which is more than double his previous single-season highs.

Houston has a shot at revenge after the Browns clobbered the Texans 36-22 in Week 16. Stroud was inactive for the game with an injury, and the Texans missed his production dearly.

Pick: Browns -2.5. Quarterbacks making their first playoff start have not fared well against QBs with postseason experience, and Joe Flacco has that in spades. Plus, many of Cleveland’s starters will be well-rested after sitting out of a meaningless Week 18 loss to the Bengals.

AFC Wild Card odds: Dolphins vs. Chiefs (-3.5)

Tyreek Hill makes his first return to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. CST. Hill played in Kansas City for six seasons and has the fourth-most receiving touchdowns and fifth-most receiving yards in Chiefs’ history.

Miami could’ve grabbed home-field advantage for the Wild Card with a win vs. Buffalo in Week 18, but with a few key starters out with injuries, the Bills came out on top 21-14. Tua Tagovailoa had his worst outing of the year, throwing for 173 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

The Dolphins desperately need Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert to return vs. Kansas City, where temperatures are expected to be below freezing. Bet Labs Sports reports that Miami is 8-19 in the last 20 seasons when playing in temperatures under 40 degrees.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense finally put it together in a 25-17 Week 17 victory over the Bengals. Mahomes tallied 245 yards and a touchdown, while Isiah Pacheco rushed for 127 yards.

Kansas City benefits from resting starters in Week 18, and Arrowhead Stadium provides one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL.

Pick: Chiefs -3.5. Watch for the banged-up Dolphins’ offense to sputter against a Chiefs’ defense that allows the second-fewest points per game.

AFC Wild Card odds: Steelers vs. Bills (-10)

The Steelers travel to Buffalo to get the Sunday playoff action started at noon CST. Pittsburgh narrowly defeated the Ravens last week, and the Titans’ triumph over the Jaguars earned the Steelers a ticket to the dance.

After getting subpar QB play from Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh finally found a somewhat reliable passer in veteran Mason Rudolph. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy started the final three games of the year and averaged 238 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

However, the Steelers must find a way to win without three-time All-Pro T.J. Watt, who leads the NFL with 19 sacks. Watt went down in Week 18 with a knee injury that should sideline him for a few weeks.

Not all of the Bills’ victories have been pretty, but Buffalo is riding high into the playoffs with a five-game win streak. Josh Allen and Co. entered the Week 13 bye with a 6-6 record and were afterthoughts in the AFC playoff picture. The Bills went on to win the AFC East and will get home-field advantage until at least the AFC Championship.

Pick: Bills -10. Allen has oodles of playoff experience under his belt, and his job will be much easier with Watt watching from the sideline.

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