It takes a truly special team to make top USA sports betting sites favor the Cincinnati Bengals. And I mean “special” like Corky in Life Goes On. And that’s where the Chicago Bears come in. Da Bears lost the Hall of Fame Game, 16-17, to the Baltimore Ravens. A one-point difference isn’t that bad. Except that sometimes you’d rather lose in a blowout than coming so close and still falling short. Nevertheless, Chicago is not an entirely lost cause. They did manage to cover the 2.5-point spread. Moreover, this Thursday against Cinci will be Mitch Trubisky’s preseason debut. More familiar faces will certainly make an appearance, albeit a brief one. “Nobody’s going to show their complete hand — but at the same time, you can’t not practice it,” head coach Matt Nagy said. “So what better way than in a preseason game to show some things?”
Betting Chicago
One of the reasons that the Bears could cover another 2.5-point spread, as set by top USA sports betting sites, is their pass rushing. Chicago sacked the opposing QB eight times against the Ravens. That’s very good news considering outside linebacker Leonard Floyd is recovering from a knee surgery. Kylie Fitts and Isaiah Irving were both sharp as tacks. Which is more good news, since the Bears want Irving “establishing a dominant mindset, (to be) dominant downhill.” Linebackers coach wants Irving to be “Not just a guy that’s going out there and performing, but a producer … he can do it, and he’s shown that he can do it out here on this practice field. He showed it last year in the time that he was with us. And this preseason, he’s made another jump. But there’s still a long way to go.”
Unfortunately, Irving his ankle during Sunday practice and didn’t make the trip to Cincinnati. Also missing will be wide receiver Josh Bellamy, defensive back Rashard Fant and tight end Dion Sims. On the plus side, there is a chance Floyd will be able to play against the Bengals.
Betting Cincinnati
Like the Bears, most of the Bengals starters can be expected to play at least one series. On the other hand, neither Vontaze Burfict nor Tyler Eiffert should be getting any playtime. Left tackle Cordy Glenn, right tackle Bobby Hart and rookie center Billy Price will be making their debuts in the Bengals offensive line. They will, per head coach Marvin Lewis, outstay Andy Dalton on the field. However, Jake Fisher, Cedric Ogbuehi, Christian Westerman and Alex Redmond should take in a few snaps as well. Brandon Lafell has been released. As a result, John Ross is a pretty much a lock at wide receiver. He played just three games last season but hey, them’s the breaks. Defensive tackle Andrew Billings played even less than Ross due to a bum knee, but has been turning heads in training camp.
“I don’t even think about trusting [my knee] anymore,” he said. “Last year, you worry about it when you plant, you’re looking around you feet for bodies rolling toward you, all of it. You don’t forget how it felt when you were injured, and you don’t ever want to feel that again.””
Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals Betting Information
- Date: August 9
- Time: 6:00 pm CDT
- Venue: Paul Brown Stadium
Sportsbook odds per BetOnline.ag:
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- Chicago Bears +1½ (-110) 35½ (-110) +105
- Cincinnati Bengals -1½ (-110) 35½ (-110) -125
Trends from top sports betting sites:
- The Bears are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games.
- The Bears are 4-3 ATS in their last six games.
- The total has gone under in six of the Bears’ last seven games.
- The Bengals are 4-3 SU in their last seven games.
- The Bengals are 4-2 ATS in their last six games.
- The total has gone over in six of the Bengals’ last 11 games.
