The Cincinnati Bengals will get an extended look at the back end of their roster Saturday night.
They may also have a better chance to pull off a small upset than the betting market suggests.
Cincinnati hosts the Chicago Bears at Paycor Stadium after both teams opened the preseason with victories. The Bengals edged Detroit 16-14, while Chicago rolled past Cleveland 34-10.
The Bears enter as slight road favorites, but quarterback availability makes the matchup more complicated.
Cincinnati plans to rest its starters, while Chicago’s backup quarterback situation has been altered by an injury to Tyson Bagent.
How to Watch Bengals vs. Bears, Latest Odds
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 02: Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals leaps over Kevin Byard III #31 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter in the game at Paycor Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET today (Saturday, Aug. 22) at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
The Bengals’ official game guide lists WXIX FOX19 as the Cincinnati television affiliate. Other Bengals Preseason TV Network stations include WSYX ABC6 in Columbus, WKEF FOX45 in Dayton, WLEX LEX18 in Lexington and WDRB CW58.1 in Louisville.
In-market viewers can stream through Bengals.com or the Bengals app, while NFL+ is available for out-of-market viewers. The game is also available on NFL Game Pass International outside China and TSN in Canada. Cincinnati’s radio flagships are WCKY 1530, WEBN-FM 102.7 and WLW 700.
The traditional betting market gives Chicago a narrow advantage.
Sports Illustrated‘s Saturday DraftKings listing had the Bears favored by 1.5 points, with Chicago at -125 on the moneyline and Cincinnati at +105.
The total was 36.5 points.
Kalshi’s Bears-Bengals market showed Chicago with a 54% chance to win and Cincinnati at 46% on Saturday morning.
Polymarket was nearly identical, pricing Chicago around 54% and Cincinnati around 47%.
Bengals Have an Opening Despite Sitting Starters
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 02: DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown against Cam Taylor-Britt #29 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter in the game at Paycor Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Cincinnati has removed one major preseason variable from the equation.
Head coach Zac Taylor expects to sit the Bengals’ starters Saturday, per NFL.com, which means Joe Burrow and the first-team offense will give way to players competing for roster spots.
That would ordinarily make backing Cincinnati difficult. Chicago, however, has its own quarterback question behind Caleb Williams.
Tyson Bagent is considered week to week with a hamstring injury. Chicago’s own joint-practice report had veteran Case Keenum directing the No. 2 offense with Bagent sidelined. Keenum made several productive throws during the session, but the change removes some continuity from a backup group that matters in August.
Chicago’s starters also received good work against Cincinnati during Thursday’s joint practice. Williams threw three red-zone touchdowns before the Bengals’ defense finished the session with a sack and an interception on the final two plays of a two-minute drill.
The Bears’ 34-point opener explains some of the market confidence, but preseason scores can swing quickly once rotations change.
Cincinnati already demonstrated it can grind through a lower-scoring game with its depth pieces against Detroit.
At home and receiving points, the Bengals provide enough value to go against the slight market consensus.
Prediction: Bengals 19, Bears 17.
Bengals vs. Bears Tonight: How to Watch, Odds & Prediction