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Basic Strategy Teasers: Best Week 14 NFL Betting Options


by Chris Vasile - 12/7/2018

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady

Can someone please tell me if I missed the memo regarding the NFL refs and their incompetency this year? I mean, really. Is the NFL trying to make us mad and demand replacement refs? How hard is it to see a 6-foot-4, 250+ lbs lineman take two steps backward before the ball is even snapped?

Not only did this happen once, but it happened again last week against the Steelers, and it directly led to a touchdown being scored. I'm not one for calling games rigged or fixed, because that's the coward's way out, but come on. That officiating crew was very clearly pro-Chargers, and it showed on several calls that were called and/or missed completely - see false start resulting in a touchdown and illegal block in the back resulting in a punt return touchdown.

I've been one of Pittsburgh biggest bashers throughout the season, as I do believe they are nothing but a bunch of divas, but even the most passionate Steeler haters would admit that they got hosed. But I digress. No NFL official is reading this, so no changes will be made.

As for last week's Basic Strategy Teaser, surprisingly there were no games that fell within our system. But in Week 11 we did cash with our ticket of Minnesota +8.5 & Tampa Bay +7.5. That brought the record to 7-4 through Week 12.

Remember, a Basic Strategy Teaser is a two-team wagering option that allows you to adjust the spread six, six-and-a-half or seven points to get a favorable spread. At Doc's Sports, we only recommend using six-point teasers and moving spreads through key numbers such as three and seven. If you would like more information on how Basic Strategy Teasers work, click here .

Best Two-Team, Six-Point Teaser for Week 13. Lines courtesy of Bovada .

New Orleans Saints -1.5 & New England Patriots -1.5 (-120)
Risk: $100 to win $83.33

The first part of this two-team, six-point teaser will rely on the New Orleans Saints to bounce-back after their brutal Thursday Night Football loss to Dallas in their last game. The Saints are currently 7.5 or eight-point favorites depending on where you play, so by teasing them down we will get an adjusted spread of -1.5 or -2. Look, the Saints laid a complete egg last game against the Cowboys. Drew Brees threw for just 127 yards, which is unheard of for him. The last time Brees was held to fewer than 220 passing yards, he responded in a big way, throwing for 363 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints also have revenge on their mind as Tampa Bay was the team they lost to in their season and home opener. In that game, the Saints allowed Tampa to torch them for 529 yards and 48 points. You can be damn sure that won't happen again under Sean Payton's watch.

Both teams are vastly different from the teams that contested Week 1. And with the Buccaneers likely missing DeSean Jackson and his speed to blow the top off the defense, the Saints will likely have a much easier time containing the Buccaneers offense. The Saints are still in the hunt for that No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. If they want to give themselves the best possible chance to catch the Los Angeles Rams, they will need to win games like these against a division foe that is well below their talent level. Because the game is in Tampa, I would be hesitant to lay more than a touchdown with the Saints, but teasing them down to under a field goal would definitely earn my money.

The second leg of this two-team, six-point teaser will rely on the New England Patriots to continue their dominance of the AFC East and beat the Miami Dolphins. Look, everybody was on Minnesota last week thinking they could give Tom Brady fits and potentially pull off the upset. That was a stupid idea. The Patriots, one way or another, just win football games, and this week should be no different against a Miami team that isn't very good. Sure, they may be just one game back of the final wild-card spot in the AFC, but there is nothing to like about a team that has beat the Jets and Bills for their only two wins since October 14.

Typically, when it comes to the Patriots this late in the season, they are running away with the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage. This year is different, and the Patriots will need to win games like these ones against lesser opponents in order to keep pace with the No. 1-ranked Kansas City Chiefs. Not to mention, they could be overtaken by the surging Houston Texans, who have the same record as the Patriots. We all know that the Patriots on the road and the Patriots at home are two completely different animals. I hesitate to lay more than a touchdown on the road with the Pats, but laying less than a field goal against a terrible Miami team, sign me up.

Alternative Option

This one is the riskier of the three picks, but teasing the Cleveland Browns to +7.5 might be the right play in their matchup with the Carolina Panthers. I believe Baker Mayfield was humbled after throwing three picks against Houston and will come out eager to make amends for that game and help his team win a football game. The Panthers are struggling mightily right now, and the loss of Greg Olsen will only hurt the team's chances at making the postseason. Not sure Carolina is the kind of team that can blow teams out on the road, so grabbing as many points as you can with the Browns may be the right play.

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