NFL Week 8 teaser: Take the points with Lions, Dolphins
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Not only did we not need the points with our Week 7 teaser, but we could have parlayed both 'dogs on the moneyline and cashed in.
We've been rolling with our weekly teaser, so let's stay hot this week.
Colts @ Lions, 1 p.m. ETLine: Lions +2.5
Teaser line: Lions +8.5
The 4-2 Colts are somewhat polarizing in NFL circles. Many have them penned as AFC contenders, while some are waiting for the other shoe to drop. I fall somewhere in the middle. The list of teams the Colts have beaten this season is underwhelming. Their losses aren't flattering, either. This team has plenty going for them defensively to be competitive on a weekly basis, but Philip Rivers looks well past his expiration date.
Rivers has had little success pushing the ball down the field, as his arm strength just isn't there anymore. Indy's opponents are stacking the box and inviting Rivers to beat them, which he hasn't. As a result, the Colts are averaging a league-worse 3.6 yards per rush despite boasting one of the league's best offensive lines. It's simply not a recipe to blow teams out.
Indianapolis is rightfully favored in this spot, but you have to feel comfortable getting 8.5 points with the Lions. Detroit is playing better defensively and getting healthy in the secondary, while the emergence of D'Andre Swift has provided an element of dynamism to the team's offense.
Rams @ Dolphins, 1 p.m.Line: Dolphins +3.5
Teaser line: Dolphins +9.5
We don't know what to expect from rookie Tua Tagovailoa ahead of his first start in nearly a calendar year. While it's important to temper expectations, let's not rule out the possibility that he will be an improvement on Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had been playing well in helping the Dolphins to a 3-3 start.
Tua is an excellent fit for Chan Gailey's quick-hitting offense, and he's armed with ample weapons. DeVante Parker, Mike Gesicki, and Preston Williams are the sort of big targets that can create mismatches for opposing defenses, while Myles Gaskin and Jakeem Grant are excellent complementary pieces. Gailey is a smart play-caller who will put Tua in a strong position to make plays against a stingy Rams defense while ensuring he remains protected behind an improving offensive line.
However, it's the Dolphins' defense that warrants attention here. They're finding ways to get after the quarterback, and their secondary is one of the NFL's most underrated units. Miami will be well-versed in stopping this dynamic Rams offense following its bye, while Los Angeles had precious little time to prepare for Tagovailoa's skill set after a short week and a trip across the country. In what's more of a coin flip, getting 9.5 points with the Dolphins feels like a gift.
Full teaser: Lions +8.5, Dolphins +9.5 ($110 to win $100)
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
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.
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