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Best NFL Teaser Bets Week 5: Basic Strategy Teasers

by Mike Allen - 10/2/2025

Best NFL teaser bets Week 5 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills

Wow, every year we bet on the NFL, and it never seems to get that much easier. The sportsbooks were already good, but the introduction and widespread availability of artificial intelligence have helped them tremendously.

The betting lines they're coming up with are almost always as sharp as possible. Trying to beat them week in and week out is an arduous task, and it gets even harder when you don't have a massive bankroll to play around with.

It is fun, though, and most importantly for me, it's a challenge. Whether it's two NFL teams I know quite well that are matched up on Monday Night Football or it's two fighters I've never heard throwing bones inside the Octagon, every week is a fresh puzzle. 

These things keep us going when things get hard, but sometimes, we wish we could just sit back and let the efficient betting market work for us instead of us always trying to beat it. 

That's where teasing games come into play.

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What is a Teaser?

A teaser is a parlay wager where the bettor is allowed to manipulate the betting line in their favor. This, of course, doesn't go unchecked, and the payout is adjusted accordingly. Just like a regular parlay bet, you can add as many legs to your teaser as you please, but should you?

Of course, not!

There is a basic strategy for teasing NFL games out there that is simple and easy to use.

What is a Basic Strategy Teaser?

The basic strategy is simply to tease through the key numbers of 3 and 7 using a 2-leg 6-point teaser. A key number in this instance refers to the most likely point differential or margin of victory in the NFL. To tease an underdog up, we look for teams with betting odds of (+1.5) to (+2.5). After giving them the 6 points, we have dogs above a touchdown of (+7.5) to  (+8.5).

Let's say that is one of our legs, and now we want to find a betting favorite to add to our basic strategy teaser. We look for teams with odds of (-7.5) to (-8.5) and tease them down through the key numbers of 7 and 3 to get small favorites under a field goal at (-1.5) to (-2.5).

Potential Week 5 Teaser Games

Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at New York Jets (+2.5) Total: 47.5

In this matchup between the Cowboys and the Jets, we're looking at potentially teasing New York up to betting underdogs of (+8.5). That's huge, especially at home, but we did just see the Cowboys play some of their best football of the season last week.

That was a lengthy and emotional game, where the defense had to play a lot of extra snaps. We may have to take the ugly underdog here with the points.

New York Giants (+2.5) at New Orleans Saints (-2.5) Total: 41

With the New York Giants coming off a very emotional win, the first of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart's career, it's hard to play them here against a Saints team that hasn't played well, but they've competed hard against good teams.

Houston Texans (-1.5) at Baltimore Ravens (+1.5) Total: 40

With Lamar Jackson currently listed as doubtful for Sunday's matchup in Houston with the Texans, we're getting the rare opportunity to play the Baltimore Ravens as an underdog. I'm not fully on board, though, as they're a completely different team without him, and the defense is suspect this year.

Tennessee Titans (+7.5) at Arizona Cardinals (-7.5) Total: 41.5

Our first opportunity to tease a betting favorite down comes here with the Arizona Cardinals. I like their 2nd half against the Seahawks on Thursday. This gives them extra rest, and watch out for Marvin Harrison Jr. to break out after he seemingly got out of his slump against Seattle.

New England Patriots (+7.5) at Buffalo Bills (-7.5) Total: 49.5

Lastly, we have the Bills here. They haven't lost a regular season game at home in two years. I know the Pats are playing well under their new head coach, but it's hard to bet against Buffalo in this spot.

Week 5 Basic Strategy Teaser Pick

Buffalo Bills (-1.5) and Arizona Cardinals (-1.5)

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