Betting on the NFL can be one of the most enjoyable experiences for sports enthusiasts, yet it can also lead to significant frustration
Betting on the NFL can be one of the most enjoyable experiences for sports enthusiasts, yet it can also lead to significant frustration
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Betting on the NFL can be one of the most enjoyable experiences for sports enthusiasts, yet it can also lead to significant frustration. While your friends struggle through Monday due to weekend festivities, you’re left feeling “Fun over” rather than hungover.
Sure, there’s Monday Night Football later on, but if you’ve played too many point spreads straight on Sunday, you might find yourself in the red by hundreds of dollars.
Your intention was to be smarter by avoiding 5 and 6-leg parlays, yet betting on those spreads often plays right into the sportsbooks’ strategies. Oh, how I wish for a safer parlay option!
Understanding Teasers
A teaser is a specialized parlay bet that allows you to buy points to adjust the odds or spread for at least two games. You can tease games with adjustments as low as 4 points or, for added safety, consider 10 or 12-point teasers.
These bets can get complicated fast, but your confidence might disappear even quicker. Think back to how sure you felt about your bets last Sunday morning and now visualize adding 5 or 10 points to each spread you liked.
Importantly, remain strategic. You’re putting a lot of faith in your own judgment.
What is a Basic Strategy Teaser?
The fundamental approach to teasing NFL games is to use a 6-point teaser that gets you past the critical numbers of 3 and 7. A “key number” signifies a common margin of victory, with 3 being the most crucial since more games conclude with a margin of exactly 3 points than any other number.
If you’re teasing an underdog, you’d look for betting odds of (+1.5) to (+2.5). After applying 6 points, you’d end up with odds of (+7.5) to (+8.5).
For a favorite, look for teams with odds of (-7.5) to (-8.5). After the 6 points are deducted, these teams fall to below a field goal at (-1.5) to (-2.5).
Week 3 NFL Teaser Game Choices
Green Bay Packers (-7.5) at Cleveland Browns (+7.5) Total: 41.5
In this matchup, you can tease the popular Green Bay Packers down to favorites of just (-1.5) over the Browns in Cleveland. Given how well the Pack has played in 2025, this seems like an obvious choice, but let’s not jump the gun.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-1.5) at New England Patriots (+1.5) Total: 44.5
The Patriots represent a prime example of an underdog to tease up. However, I’m hesitant. While we have a home underdog with a capable coach, the Steelers haven’t been performing well lately, but tend to rebound quickly.
Given last week’s disappointing 4th quarter, Pittsburgh will be eager to prove themselves.
Houston Texans (+1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (-1.5) Total: 44
The Houston Texans may currently sit at 0-2 after allowing Baker Mayfield and the Bucs to execute a perfect two-minute drill against them, but don’t count them out just yet—they’re still a playoff-worthy team. If there was ever a chance to buy low on Houston, now is it.
They came close against the Rams, losing by just 5, and narrowly lost to a playoff-quality Bucs team.
Though the Jaguars appear improved compared to last year, they’ve just suffered a loss against the Bengals and have only secured a win over Carolina.
I recognize the Texans’ wide receivers are dealing with injuries, yet their defense remains formidable.
Arizona Cardinals (+1.5) at San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) Total: 44
If we’re including this NFC West clash in our Week 3 basic strategy teaser, we need to consider targeting the Arizona Cardinals as a potential underdog to tease up. However, I want to tread lightly here.
The last encounter between these teams in January saw Arizona score a staggering 47 points. That memory lingers, and with Mac Jones displaying some confidence, it could be an intriguing game. I lean towards the Niners (-1.5) at home this week.
Week 3 NFL Basic Strategy Teaser Selection
Green Bay Packers (-1.5) and Houston Texans (+7.5): -120
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