The Houston Texans take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Wild Card Round on Monday, Jan. 12. Kickoff from Acrisure Stadium is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and ABC.
Our player props for this AFC Wild Card game target Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kenneth Gainwell, and Dalton Schultz.
Let's dive into my Texans vs Steelers player props for NFL Wild Card Monday.
Texans vs Steelers Player Props
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling Over 1.5 Receptions (+170 at bet365)
- Kenneth Gainwell Over 30.5 Receiving Yards (-110 at bet365)
- Dalton Schultz Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-110 at bet365)
- Dalton Schultz Anytime Touchdown (+260 at Hard Rock)
Texans vs Steelers Prop Picks, Preview
Marquez Valdes-Scantling Over 1.5 Receptions (+170)
We cashed on Marquez Valdes-Scantling receptions last week and we’re going back to the well here.
Even though DK Metcalf is back from his suspension and Calvin Austin is another week out from his injury, it’s hard to ignore the veteran wideout.
Throughout his career, he’s been an Aaron Rodgers favorite. Even with target-hog Metcalf back, Valdes-Scantling still have a chance to cash at plus money here.
Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen Valdes-Scantling catch eight of 16 targets; with Derek Stingley Jr. likely to be on Metcalf, I'd like to sprinkle on MVS continuing to be an option for Rodgers.
Pick: Marquez Valdes-Scantling Over 1.5 Receptions (+170; bet365)
Kenneth Gainwell Over 30.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell has a pretty similar line for both rushing and receiving on Monday, but it’s his receiving line that really stands out here.
He’s averaging 4.2 catches on five targets per game and an average of 28.5 receiving yards. Last week, in that key game against the Ravens, we saw him have a season-high eight catches.
This is a tough Texans defense and they’re formidable against the run. Despite being strong against the run, they have been giving up 31.8 receiving yards per game to opposing RBs.
With the Texans favored, it means the game script and a formidable pass rush could force Rodgers into feeding Gainwell.
Pick: Kenneth Gainwell Over 30.5 Receiving Yards (-110; bet365)
Dalton Schultz Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Nico Collins will be back after missing Week 18 (rest), which is a huge boost for the Texans.
Without Collins, we saw Dalton Schultz get 73 yards at an impressive average of 18.2 yards per catch. The tight end has been integral to the Texans' hopes this year and sits second in both targets and receiving yards this season.
Only four teams have given up more receiving yards to tight ends per game than the Steelers, who are allowing an average of 65.9 yards.
With Collins, the team’s main threat, and Jayden Higgins improving every week, we should see Schultz do well here.
Pick: Dalton Schultz Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-110; bet365)
Dalton Schultz Anytime Touchdown (+260)
At these odds for an anytime touchdown, we need to go back to Schultz here, and we’re taking the former Stanford man to find the end zone.
He ranks second in red-zone targets on the Texans behind Collins and has found form recently, with two touchdowns in his past month.
The Steelers have given up 11 touchdowns to tight ends this season, with Harold Fannin Jr. and Darren Waller both finding success against this defense in their previous four games.
Pick: Dalton Schultz Anytime Touchdown (+260; Hard Rock)
Editor's Note: A parlay of these props is not the author's formal recommendation. These picks have value as straight bets.
Texans vs Steelers Player Prop Bets
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling Over 1.5 Receptions (+170 at bet365)
- Kenneth Gainwell Over 30.5 Receiving Yards (-110 at bet365)
- Dalton Schultz Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-110 at bet365)
- Dalton Schultz Anytime Touchdown (+260 at Hard Rock)
