Basic Strategy Teasers: Best Week 5 NFL Betting Options

by Chris Vasile - 10/7/2016

It was another solid week for Basic Strategy Teasers. After going a perfect 3-0 in Week 3, the BST gave you a 2-1 weekend, and the games weren't ever in doubt. The Jacksonville Jaguars were able to get their offense going against a very bad Indianapolis Colts team. They put up 30 in a 30-27 win. which got them their first victory of the season. Over in Washington, the Redskins were able to get the better of the Browns by a 31-20 score. Kirk Cousins had three passing touchdowns and Matt Jones ran the ball for 117 yards and a score. The only loser of the day was the perennial loser Jets, who couldn't contain an injured Russell Wilson. Wilson had his best game of the season, tossing the pigskin for 309 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, continued his torrid interception pace by tossing another three picks. Good job Ryan, you're doing great.

Week 5 of the NFL season has four teams on a bye week: Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans and Seattle. That leaves us with 13 games to choose from, and one of those games gives us the return of Tom Brady. I sincerely hope he is rusty and the Browns get their first win of the season. The rest of the card looks very competitive with games like Houston/Minnesota (-7), Atlanta/Denver (-5), Cincinnati/Dallas (+2) and Buffalo/Los Angeles (-2).

In this article I will be giving you teams that I think will be the most attractive when teasing the spread either up or down six points. This is called the "Basic Strategy Teaser". A basic strategy teaser is a two-team, six-point teaser that uses the power of NFL key numbers, which are the most common margins of victory, to move certain spreads around the three- and seven-point mark.

This week's action has three NFL games that qualify, with a mix of favorites and underdogs being teased into a more appealing position. All lines are courtesy of GT Bets.

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Spread: Steelers -7.5

Six-Point Teaser: -1.5

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming into Sunday's game fresh off a straight ass whopping of the Kansas City Chiefs. They won the game 43-14, and the final score made it seem closer than it actually was. The return of Le'Veon Bell seemed to ignite an offence that was held to just three points the week prior. Bell returned from a four-game suspension and looked fresh and fully recovered from a gruesome knee injury suffered toward the end of last season. He rushed for 144 yards on 18 carries, which kept the defense honest and allowed Big Ben to pick the Chiefs defense apart (300-yards, five touchdowns). Now they go up against a Jets defense that was just picked apart by an injured quarterback. The Jets have given up 17 completions of 20-plus yards and seven of 40-plus yards. That's a bad track record when trying to stop this Steelers high-octane offense.

Prognosis: The better team is Pittsburgh. They have the better QB, the best wide-receiver in the game and possibly the best running back in the game. When firing on all-cylinders, as I expect them to do in front of their home crowd again, they are tough to contain and match up with point for point. The Jets are minus-10 in the turnover margin. You can be sure to add to that after Sunday's game. Steelers win.

Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams

Spread: Bills +2

Six-Point Teaser: Bills +8

The Buffalo Bills are seemingly always in a must-win game. This game is no exception. The Bills (2-2) will be looking to get above .500 for the first time this season. They are riding a two-game winning streak against teams that were tabbed as Super Bowl favorites before the season began. Yes, Arizona isn't as good as advertised, and the Patriots started their third-string QB, but it's those kinds of games that give a perennial mediocre team momentum to build off of. The Bills must now find a way to beat a Rams (3-1) team that has reeled off three straight wins and is in first place in the NFC West. If the Bills can continue to get solid play from Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy, I see no reason why their defense shouldn't be able to contain the worst overall offense in the league.

Prognosis: This is the perfect spot to back the Bills. Generally, teams travelling cross-country for the first time fall flat on their faces, but the Bills have a little bit of swagger after finally notching a win in Foxboro. They matchup well with the Rams, so I expect this to be a lower-scoring game, one where points are at a premium. If Rex Ryan wants to keep his job after this season, getting this win and getting the Bills back into the division race would be ideal.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys

Spread: Cowboys +2

Six-Point Teaser: Cowboys +8

Is everyone ready to call Dallas a good team yet? I've been ready since Week 2. I know that the Cowboys haven't beaten anyone worth mentioning, but come on. Dak Prescott is legit and Ezekiel Elliot is going to be a stud in this league for a very long time. The offensive line is just as good as it was last season. And despite not having Dez Bryant, the offense is moving the ball down the field well. The Prescott-Cole Beasley connection is one that has me very impressed. Beasley was often overlooked by Tony Romo. And now that he is getting his chance to be a target monster, he is making the most of his opportunity. The Bengals, on the other hand, are a confusing team. The offense doesn't look right and besides last week's Miami game and the defense has given up more than 20 points in all of their games. Yes, Jeremy Hill is running the ball well, but outside A.J. Green (who is great receiver) this offense has a lot of questions left to be answered.

Prognosis: The Cowboys are playing with house money. They have two rookies running the show on offense. And even when Jason Garrett whiffs on consecutive high-fives, he's still been able to call a good game and put his team in the best position to win. The Bengals are on extra rest but have to travel to New England next week. I think the conference game matters a bit more than this nonconference game. Cowboys have a great shot at winning, but give me the +8 instead.

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Start:	November 23, 2024 @ 10:07 PM
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