Bears vs. Bengals Point Spread: NFL Week 9 Odds, Prediction
The Bears (4-3) had won four games in a row before falling at Baltimore this past weekend. The Bengals (3-5) have dropped five of their last six outings following a setback against the previously winless Jets.
This is a mostly unfamiliar matchup featuring one team from the AFC and another from the NFC. They have faced each other only six times since 2000, with the Bears leading the head-to-head series 4-2. They most recently prevailed 20-17 at home during the 2021 regular season.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
On the NFL odds, the Bears are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games and 2-0 ATS in the last two head-to-head meetings. It has been a different story for the Bengals, who are just 2-4 ATS since QB Joe Burrow was injured in Week 2 against the Jaguars. They almost rattled off two straight wins, but the Jets outscored them 21-7 in the fourth quarter last week.
In addition to the more traditional lines, the first-quarter spread is -0.5 in Chicago’s favour, and the first-half spread is also -0.5. The Over/Under for the first quarter is 9.5 and 26.5 for the first half. On the prop-betting front, Bears running back D’Andre Swift has -160 odds to score a touchdown. Running back Chase Brown (-155) is the most likely Bengals player to find the endzone.
Chicago Bears
The Bears can expect to have an offensive party on Sunday, even though tight end Cole Kmet (back) likely won’t be able to join the festivities after missing their game against the Ravens. Receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (knee) is questionable. Still, Chicago should do plenty of damage against a Cincinnati defence that ranks dead last league-wide against the run (151.9 yards per game allowed) and third-to-last against the pass (256.0 yards).
Although the Bears are over .500, the jury remains out on this team. Head coach Ben Johnson’s squad has defeated Las Vegas, New Orleans, Dallas without CeeDee Lamb, and Washington without Terry McLaurin. Quarterback Caleb Williams has zero touchdowns and two interceptions over the past two weeks, so Chicago will need him to play better if it wants to return to the win column.
Cincinnati Bengals
QB Joe Flacco has been a pleasant surprise since switching AFC North teams, as Cincinnati acquired him from Cleveland before Week 6. In three games with the Bengals, the 40-year-old has thrown for 784 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Unfortunately for the visitors, Flacco is currently listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury. Jake Browning, who was briefly under center following Joe Burrow’s toe injury, would start if Flacco can’t go on Sunday.
Regardless, Brown should be in line for a huge day at the office. Chicago’s defence is horrendous against the run, surrendering 143.3 yards per game on 5.5 yards per carry to go along with 10 rushing touchdowns.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Bears vs. Bengals?
Neither one of these teams is playing much defence at the moment. This should be an especially favourable matchup for the Bengals offence – assuming Flacco plays. The Bears stink against the run, and they struggle to get to the quarterback, ranking No. 25 in the NFL in sacks with 14. Let’s go with Bengals 30, Bears 28.
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