NFL Week 3 Best Teaser
Similar to Week 1, Week 2 featured quite a few upsets. And just like in Week 1, Week 2 also featured a ton of low-scoring games, The under has hit nearly 66% (21/32) of the time this season, and that's why this week's NFL Teaser begins with an under. It's definitely still too early to think the majority of the games are going to be low scoring, but expect a hard-fought, low-scoring contest on Thursday night between AFC North foes Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
The final score in both games last year were each under 40, and don't be surprised if Thursday's game doesn't even get to the original line of 39. Yes, T.J. Watt is out for the Steelers, and Jadeveon Clowney is out for the Browns, but neither of these offenses exactly jump out at you.
Pittsburgh has scored just 40 points through the first two games of the season, and unless the Steelers either replace quarterback Mitchell Trubisky or significantly improve their running game, don't be surprised to see them struggle to get more than 20 points on Thursday. Pittsburgh ranks in the lower third of the league in total offense, which tells us they're not even putting themselves in position to score. Yes, Pittsburgh scored a defensive touchdown in Week 1, but with a struggling offense, expect Cleveland to pound the rock and focus on not turning over the ball.
Cleveland leads the NFL in rushing yards and put up 30 points in last week's loss vs. the New York Jets, but don't expect that to happen again on Thursday night. The Jets' defense is just brutal, and the Browns' defense is in for a treat against a struggling Pittsburgh offense. Plus, Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett is expected to play on Thursday despite not practicing this week. Sorry, Trubisky.
If Deshaun Watson was playing for Cleveland, we wouldn't be touching the over/under, but with Jacoby Brissett starting at quarterback for the Browns, the under is the way to go. And remember you need the final score to be under 44, not 38 because of the teaser.
As for our final leg, take the Chiefs (+0.5). Basically, you're just taking them to win, even though a tie gets you the win. The Colts did tie the Texans two weeks ago, but don't expect another one against the Chiefs.
The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles high-powered offenses might be getting all the press this week, but the Chiefs still have one of the best offenses, if not the best offense in football. After throwing five touchdowns in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, quarterback Patrick Mahomes struggled at times last week against the LA Chargers. Still, the Chiefs won.
And after getting shut out against Jacksonville last week, the Colts offense simply can't be trusted. Even if top receiver Michael Pittman plays this week, this offense simply can't get anything going. Former NFL MVP Matt Ryan has looked really bad in his first two games with Indianapolis as the team's starting quarterback, and after leading the AFC in rushing a year ago, the Colts aren't even in the top 10 this season.
I know it's still early, but the Colts have looked awful in their first two games. All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard might play this week, which would be huge for Indianapolis, but the Colts have too many holes on offense to keep up with the Chiefs. That's why we're taking the Chiefs over the Colts on Sunday to complete our teaser.
The Teaser Bet: Pittsburgh/Cleveland (< 38.5 total points) to (< 44.5 total points) and Kansas City Chiefs (+0.5) (-108 odds via Barstool)
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