NFL Basic Strategy Teasers: Best Betting Options for Week 8

by George Monroy - 10/28/2015

Everyone loves a good teaser bet, and why wouldn't they? Teasers allow bettors to move spreads around in various point intervals, beginning at six and moving to 10 points and beyond. On paper, teasers are amazing because bettors can essentially make their own lines. The wager, however, can quickly fall into "suckers bet" territory if you are not careful. The more teams and points that are added into a teaser end up the worsening the odds and correct payouts to actually hit your bet.

The best way to bet a teaser is with a basic strategy option, which is a two-team, six-point bet that takes advantage of NFL key numbers to move certain spreads-favorites of 7.5 to 8.5 and underdogs of 1.5 to 2.5-around the three- and seven-point mark. The teasers were popular in the 1990s, and even though they have lost some value, because the oddsmakers eventually adjusted lines and payouts, the wager is still the best way to make a teaser bet. Let's take a look at the basic strategy teaser options for Week 8 of the NFL season and figure out which have the most value to bet on.

Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Spread: Falcons -7.5

Six-point teaser: Falcons -1.5

This is a tough divisional matchup that could be more competitive than people think. Atlanta is currently sitting on a surprising 6-1 record that is more of a byproduct of a manageable schedule than an indicator of how good the team really is. However, 6-1 is 6-1, so the team must be doing more than a few things right. Atlanta is ranked in the Top 5 in three major offensive categories, and it continues to be one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL.

Prognosis : This is a solid teaser that bettors shouldn't overthink. Atlanta might not be a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but the team is racking up wins and building momentum. Take the Falcons in this one.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals

Spread: Steelers +1.5

Six-point teaser: +7.5

Pittsburgh may be without its starting quarterback, it may trail Cincinnati by 2.5 games in the AFC North standings, but none of that matters because the team keeps covering spreads. The Steelers are sitting on a 5-1-1 ATS mark and an 83 percent cover rate. The good news for Pittsburgh bettors is that Ben Roethlisberger is expected to return to action after missing four weeks with a strained MCL. The bad news for Pittsburgh bettors is that the Bengals are still perfect against the spread with a 5-0-1 mark and 6-0 SU.

Prognosis : Pittsburgh has shown itself to be a resourceful and resilient team without Roethlisberger. Getting 7.5 points on a home team with a returning quarterback is a solid situation to be in. Cincinnati might win this game, but there is no reason to suspect a blowout is coming. Pittsburgh and the points is a solid bet.

Oakland Raiders vs New York Jets

Spread: Raiders +2

Six-point teaser: Raiders +8

Oakland is sitting on a .500 record, and it looks like a team moving in the right direction, which is surprising for a Raiders organization that has struggled to make progress and improve over the last decade. There is no need to start booking hotels for the postseason just yet, but the Raiders are probably better than most people give them credit for. New York played the Patriots close last week and put a scare into New England fans all over the East Coast. The Jets are currently 4-1 ATS, and they cover spreads by an average of 7.2 points.

Prognosis : Getting eight points on a home team is never a horrible spot to be in, but do any bettors really want to start relying on Oakland? The team could cover this spread, but I would just skip this teaser.

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Pick:	CHICAGO BEARS +3
Start:	November 24, 2024 @ 1:00 PM
Expert:	Doc's Sports

Analysis:

Free Play from Doc’s Sports. Take #256 Chicago Bears +3 over Minnesota Vikings (1p.m., Sunday, November 24 FOX) We used the Bears as a free play winner last Sunday and easily covered the spread and should have been an underdog outright winner. Now we will ride them for a second straight week against another NFC North rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are 8-2 on the season, yet are only around a field goal favorite. I still do not trust Sam Donald to win consistently over the course of a 17 game regular season. Minnesota is not as good as their 8-2 record would indicate and playing outdoors in Chicago on Sunday will cause issues for them on both sides of the ball. Chicago has been hit or miss this season, but they will be up to play another divisional rival and we expect them to take this down to the wire as well. Do not miss out on Doc’s Sports Weekend Card featuring top plays in college and NFL football. Read More Read Less

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