The Chicago Bears flopped in their preseason opener, but a chance to bounce back and get in the win column comes this Thursday, as they are about to go up against the Cincinnati Bengals. Will the Bears make it to 1-1? Or will the Bengals keep Chicago winless through two weeks in the preseason?
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Betting Preview for the Chicago Bears vs Cincinnati Bengals NFL Preseason Week 2 Game on August 9, 2018
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
When: Thursday, August 9, 2018, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Chicago Bears (+2.5) vs Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NFL Game Pass
Betting on the Chicago Bears (+2.5)
The Bears are coming off their first loss of 2018, falling prey to the Baltimore Ravens last week in a close 17-16 road loss. Quarterback Chase Daniels started the game for Chicago, but obviously did not bring his A-game to the field, as he passed for just 53 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions on 8-for-16 pass completions. His dud in that game could cost Daniels a starting gig next game with Tyler Bray as the likely replacement. Bray stepped in for Daniels against the Ravens and went 18-for-34 for 181 passing yards and a touchdown with zero picks. Perhaps no Bears player stood out the most in the Ravens game than wide receiver Javon Wims, who had seven receptions for 89 yards. Not bad for a rookie drafted this year in the seventh round. Wims should see plenty of snaps in the preseason moving forward. Chicago is 3-1 ATS in its last four preseason contests.
Betting on the Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
The Bengals, who are 2-2 ATS in their las four preseasons games, just recently waived veteran wideout Brandon LaFell, which should make the dynamics in the receiving corps even more intriguing in the preseason. That move by Cincinnati could mean John Ross is going to be a starter at last. It also implies that rookie wide receiver Josh Malone, drafted in the fourth round, is now an intriguing name to follow. If Malone could put together an impressive preseason campaign, he might even push for a starting gig, with Ross remaining an unproven commodity for the Bengals. The Bears’ preseason stop unit should present a big challenge for Ross, as Chicago allowed just 81 passing yards to Baltimore last week in the Hall of Fame game. Matt Barkley is set as the main backup to Andy Dalton, but Jeff Driskel could make a case for himself, beginning this Thursday against the Bears. Driskel will enter his third season in the NFL, but has yet to play in a single NFL game beyond the preseason.
Writer’s Prediction
Cincinnati wins, 26-23.
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