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Predictions

Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals

By Bush StaffUpdated 6h ago·2 min read
Chicago BearsCHI(1-0 PRE)
Cincinnati BengalsCIN(1-0 PRE)
AT
7:00 PM ET
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FINAL
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ML
Total
Bears(1-0 PRE)
WLWLL
Bengals(1-0 PRE)
WLWWL
Best BetBears +104

Chicago's backups have already shown they can move the ball, and Cincinnati isn't dressing anything close to a full-strength offense with Burrow staying in sweats. That gap in who actually suits up tips this toward the Bears, even with their own QB room banged up. It's a bet on Chicago's depth over Cincinnati's total absence at the position, not a statement on either franchise.

Bears
  • Blew out Cleveland 34-10 in the preseason opener
  • Salvon Ahmed and depth backs flashing real juice
  • Stevenson (CB) trending back after practice return
  • Caleb Williams and Bagent both out for this one
  • Bagent (hamstring) didn't even make the trip
  • O-line still sorting starters at tackle, center
Bengals
  • Won preseason opener over Detroit, 16-14
  • D-line depth called coach's best in his tenure
  • Endries, receivers flashing in camp reps
  • Resting Burrow and the entire starting offense
  • Dax Hill, Bryan Cook questionable in the secondary
  • Shemar Stewart out weeks with a knee injury

Cincinnati's staff has been open about resting Joe Burrow and the rest of the starting offense for this one, handing snaps to Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford after getting the QB1 work in during joint practices this week instead. Chicago's answer at quarterback is even thinner — Tyson Bagent's hamstring kept him home, so Case Keenum and Miller Moss are set to handle the bulk of the reps when this kicks off at 7:00 PM ET. Neither team is treating this like a real evaluation of its QB1, which makes it a night about everybody else on the roster.

That 'everybody else' picture actually has some stakes. Chicago's offensive line is still sorting out its starting five at tackle and center, and defensive back Tyrique Stevenson only just returned to practice after a week away, so his snap count is worth watching. Cincinnati's own injury list has real names on it too — Dax Hill and Bryan Cook are questionable in the secondary, and edge rusher Shemar Stewart is out weeks with a knee issue — which thins out exactly the group that's supposed to give Chicago's backup-heavy front trouble. None of that has fully worked its way into how this game is being priced.

Where both teams look sharper is up front and on the fringes. Cincinnati's defensive line has reportedly been the best group head coach Zac Taylor has had in his tenure, and Chicago's skill-position depth already showed out in the preseason opener — Salvon Ahmed's 49-yard touchdown catch was the headline play in a 34-10 win over Cleveland. Roster bubble guys on both sides know tape from this game could be the difference between a 53-man spot and a Tuesday phone call.

Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
(1-0 PRE)
Aug 15Wvs BrownsPre34-10
Jan 18Lvs Rams17-20
Jan 11Wvs Packers31-27
Jan 4Lvs Lions16-19
Dec 29L@ 49ers38-42
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
(1-0 PRE)
Aug 13Wvs LionsPre16-14
Jan 4Lvs Browns18-20
Dec 28Wvs Cardinals37-14
Dec 21W@ Dolphins45-21
Dec 14Lvs Ravens0-24

Cincinnati's own depth had a moment in its opener too — tight end Jack Endries caught a 17-yard touchdown from Joe Flacco in the win over Detroit, part of a camp push to lock down a roster spot behind the projected starters at tight end.

Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
(12)
  • QuestionableTyrique Stevenson (CB) — Stevenson (undisclosed) returned to practice Thursday following a week-long absence, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.08/20
  • QuestionableTyson Bagent (QB) — Bagent is still dealing with a hamstring injury and did not join the team on its trip to Cincinnati for a preseason game this Saturday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.08/20
  • QuestionableXavier Woods (S)
  • QuestionableNephi Sewell (LB)
  • QuestionableRuben Hyppolite II (LB)
  • QuestionableLuther Burden III (WR)
  • QuestionableKyle Monangai (RB) — Monangai (knee) is considered week-to-week, Adam Jahns of AllCHGO.com reports.08/18
  • OutCoby Bryant (S)
  • OutKyler Gordon (CB) — Bears coach Ben Johnson said Saturday that Gordon's timeline to return to practice from his calf injury is "unknown," Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.08/15
  • Injured ReserveNikola Kalinic (TE) — ir08/19
  • Injured ReserveDallis Flowers (CB) — ir08/19
  • Injured ReserveJonathan Garvin (DE) — ir08/19
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
(5)
  • QuestionableMyles Murphy (DE)
  • QuestionableDax Hill (CB)
  • QuestionableMcKinnley Jackson (DT)
  • QuestionableBryan Cook (S)
  • QuestionableShemar Stewart (DE) — Stewart will miss several weeks due to a hyperextended knee, head coach Zac Taylor revealed Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19 Cincinnati reports.07/30

With both teams' top quarterbacks parked on the sideline, this one comes down to whichever collection of backups, camp bodies and roster hopefuls executes cleaner for four quarters — which is exactly the kind of game preseason football exists for.

Sources

NFLChicago BearsCincinnati BengalsPolymarketKalshi