Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears Free Pick

When: 1 pm ET Sunday, Sept. 19

Where: Soldier Field

TV: Fox

NFL Betting odds: Cin +2.5/Chic -2.5

Total: 45

The Bengals shoot for a 2-0 start when they visit Chicago to take on the 0-1 Bears Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. Cincinnati is coming off a season-opening victory over Minnesota last week while Chicago, with another new starting quarterback, a former Bengal in fact, is coming off a loss at Los Angeles.

The Bears opened as home-field favorites on the betting line for this game, but early action dipped the spread below that key number.

How are we playing this game with our free NFL betting pick?

NFL Betting Lines

Week 2’s NFL betting odds opened Chicago at -3 over Cincinnati, with an over/under of right around 45. Early betting action then dipped that line to -2.5.

Any bettors out there thinking the Bengals might win this game outright could get a price of +125 on the NFL money line.

Bengals-Bears NFL Betting Preview

Cincinnati is 1-0 on the season after outlasting Minnesota in overtime last week 27-24. The Bengals spotted the Vikings the first seven points of the game, then scored twice in the previous two minutes of the second quarter to lead 14-7 at the half. Cincy then scored the first seven points out of the locker room to go up 21-7, later led 24-14, only to have Minnesota tie the game on a 53-yard field goal at the regulation buzzer.

The Bengals then recovered a Vikings fumble late in the OT, got a huge 32-yard gain on a fourth down, then a game-winning field goal at the overtime buzzer.

Cincinnati got out-gained by Minnesota 403-366 but out-rushed the Vikings 149-67 and won the turnover battle 1-0, creating a game-deciding +3 points differential.

So the Bengals are now 3-7-1 SU but 7-4 ATS when Joe Burrow starts at quarterback.

Cincinnati is playing against a season wins over/under total of 6.5 this season, and if Burrow stays healthy, it’ll probably top that

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Chicago, meanwhile, is 0-1 on the season after losing to the Rams in Los Angeles last week 34-14. But that game was a little closer than that final score might indicate. The Bears fell behind to the Rams 13-0 in the second quarter but only trailed 13-7 at the half. Chicago still only trailed 20-14 late into the third quarter but came up empty from there and missed ATS as a 9.5-point underdog.

The Bears got out-gained by Los Angeles 386-322, but a third of the yardage the Chicago defense gave up came on two big plays. The Bears also out-rushed the Rams 134-74 and won the time of possession by a 35:25 split but lost the turnover battle 2-0, creating a -13 points differential.

New Chicago starting QB Andy Dalton hit 27/38 throws last week but only for 208 yards, and while he’ll probably start again this week, rookie Justin Fields might get his shot at any moment.

The Bears are playing against a wins O/U of 7.5 this season.

Bengals-Bears By the Numbers

Last year, Cincinnati ranked 29th in the league in offense at 320 yards per game and 24th in rushing at 104 YPG. On the other side of the ball, the Bengals ranked 26th in total defense at 389 YPG and 29th against the run at 148 YPG.

Chicago ranked 26th in offense last year at 331 YPG, 25th in rushing at 103 YPG, 11th in total defense at 345 YPG, and 15th against the run at 114 YPG.

Bengals-Bears Recent History

These teams last met four seasons ago, a 33-7 Chicago win at Cincy. But that’s already a long time ago for both these teams.

NFL Betting Trends

• Favorites played just 7-9 SU, 4-12 ATS in the NFL last week.
• Home teams played 7-8 SU, 6-9 ATS in the NFL last week.

Totals Report

Unders played 8-7-1 in Bengals games last season, which averaged 46 total points. Then last week’s game against Minnesota played over a total of 47.

Totals split 8-8 in Bears games last season, which also averaged 46 points. Then last week’s game against the Rams played over a total of 47.

Unders played 9-7 in the NFL last week.

Free NFL Betting Pick

Cincinnati might soon become a chic pick among NFL bettors, but we’re still concerned about that defense. The Bengals were on the verge of losing last week until the Vikings helped them out by fumbling away a chance at a game-winning kick late in OT. Chicago, meanwhile, isn’t going to amaze anyone offensively, but Dalton can still manage a game, and the Bears defense is the best unit in this match-up. We like Chicago here, the home team at a short price, for our free NFL betting pick. Speaking of betting picks, bet yours for FREE for the next couple weeks by taking advantage of a 100% REAL CASH bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $1000 at Betnow Sportsbook!