It was a wild start to the NFL season with surprise performances, elite individual performances and historic comebacks highlighting Week 1. Now the key is to tread a fine line between building off what we learned from Week 1 and making sure not to overreact as the focus shifts to Week 2. We took the time to put together the best possible set of betting options on the board. Here is a look at the best teaser bet for Week 2.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
Current Odds: Falcons -5
The Panthers are coming off an impressive 16-8 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 in which their defense absolutely shut down Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott and company. Now they travel to Atlanta as five-point underdogs for their Week 2 matchup with the Falcons. The total has gone under the number in eight of the last 10 games between these teams, so defense should be the focus again. Atlanta struggled to score in the red zone in an 18-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. On top of that, this is a division rivalry, so we’re expecting Cam Newton and company will keep this game close.
Panthers +5 might be a good bet as it stands, but teasing them up to +12 to cross several key numbers makes this even more attractive.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Current Odds: Packers -1.5
The second team that we’re going to tease is the Vikings. Minnesota looked solid in a 24-16 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 and they’re now 13-2 straight up in its last 15 games overall. The Vikings have won four of their last five meetings against Green Bay, including both meetings a year ago. Aaron Rodgers is coming off another incredible comeback performance but it’s hard to imagine him being 100-percent after getting hurt in Week 1. And the Vikings will make sure to blitz him and make him move after the Bears failed to do so in the second half of Week 1.
A seven-point tease moves Minnesota to +8.5 in a game they could very well win straight up.
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
Current Total: 49.5
Kansas City is 0-5 straight up in its last five games against the Steelers, so it makes sense that they are listed as underdogs this week. However, it’s become well-known that the Steelers play to the level of their competition, so a 21-21 tie with the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 shouldn’t be all too surprising.
The Chiefs defense looked alright last week in Los Angeles but the Chargers shot themselves in the foot multiple times. A focused Steelers team should be able to score at least 28 points in this one. Kansas City will also keep up and push this game over the number. That’s why we’ll tease the total down from 49.5 to 42.5.
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars
Current Odds: Patriots -1
For our final play of the week, the Patriots make sense as small road favorites that look great on paper after applying a seven-point tease. New England is coming off a 27-20 win over the Houston Texans to improve to 19-0 straight up and 14-5 against the spread in its last 19 games against AFC South opponents. Specifically, the Patriots have won five straight meetings versus Jacksonville. Meanwhile, New England is 16-1 straight up in its last 17 road games overall. The Patriots should have a very good chance to beat the Jaguars straight up on Sunday. Even if they lose, it should be a close contest. By applying a seven-point teaser, New England should be a solid play at +5.5.
Teaser Pick: Panthers +12 & Panthers +12 & KC-PIT over 42.5 & Patriots +6
