NFL Week 8 teaser: Saints, DEN/IND under, Raiders
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This article was on a decent run - until last week's teaser went up in flames.
Only one of the three legs won, as divisional opponents hammered both the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. It was ugly.
Let's return to winning ways in Week 8:
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
Line: Saints -10
Teaser line: Saints -3
Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, it doesn't matter. This Saints team is a well-oiled machine. Bridgewater has been nothing short of excellent while filling in for Brees. But despite suggestions he's earned the job, he absolutely needs to move back to the bench when the future Hall of Famer returns.
The Saints' starter Sunday should matter little (imagine saying that six weeks ago). New Orleans has been efficient on offense and stifling on defense, winning five straight and looking poised for another Super Bowl run. The Cardinals are on a three-game winning streak of their own, but a trip to the Big Easy presents a significantly more difficult task than recent clashes with the Bengals, Falcons, and Giants.
Kliff Kingsbury has done a nice job with this Cardinals team and Arizona's definitely headed in the right direction, but it doesn't have the weapons at the skill positions to trouble this relentless Saints defense.
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts
Total: 43.5
Teaser total: 50.5
Look out, NFL. The Colts have been winning games with solid play on both sides of the football, but their defense, which has boundless potential, is finally healthy. The defensive line is formidable with Justin Houston and Jabaal Sheard on either end, while the importance of linebacker Darius Leonard - who returned against the Texans - cannot be understated. The win over Houston marked the first time this season all three were healthy and starting.
With their full complement of players, the Colts are tough to run against - and that's about the only thing the Broncos' offense can do. Putting the game in the hands of Joe Flacco is not something Vic Fangio - or Flacco - cares to see happen. Very few teams are having less success through the air this season. That's especially true on the road, where Denver has resorted to running the ball on 50.27% of its offensive snaps (fourth-most in the NFL).
Indianapolis is running the ball on 46.37% of its offensive plays (fifth-most), so there should be a heavy dose of Marlon Mack, Phillip Lindsay, and Royce Freeman on Sunday. This game could be over in two hours if they're not careful. With two run-first teams that pride themselves on defense, taking the under at 50.5 points is a gift.
Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans
Line: Raiders +7
Teaser line: Raiders +14
This might be one of the more underrated games of the week. Oakland boasts an incredibly underappreciated offense, while Deshaun Watson puts on a show every time he takes the field. Add in two of the NFL's leakiest defenses, and it's going to be a lot of fun.
The Raiders are anchored by one of the league's best offensive lines, which has been the catalyst for an incredibly successful running game. They should be able to put together some long drives, keeping Watson on the bench.
Derek Carr will also be able to feast on a Texans secondary that probably won't be much improved after acquiring Gareon Conley from Oakland earlier this week. The Raiders traded Conley in anticipation of playing against him a few days later; it's hardly a ringing endorsement. In a game in which both teams should be able to score comfortably, the upset is a legitimate threat.
Full teaser: Saints -3, DEN/IND under 50.5, Raiders +14 ($100 to win $135)
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.