Bills vs. Bears Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 2 Odds, Prediction
Chicago hosted the Miami Dolphins in its preseason opener, a contest that ended in a 24-24 tie. Nearly all starters for both teams were spectators last week, with most expected to see at least some time Sunday. That includes reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, the two celebrated quarterbacks featured in this matchup.
Chicago is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with the total set at 41.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Both the Bills and the Bears failed to cover while playing to the Over last week. Buffalo coach Sean McDermott fell to 15-10 against the spread in his preseason career. First-year Chicago coach Ben Johnson fell to 0-1 ATS after his team could not cover as favourites at home against the Dolphins.
The Bills played the Bears in last year’s preseason opener, losing 33-6. Chicago is currently favoured by 2.5 points, and the total is set at 41.5 points. Like last year, when they went 11-6 against the spread in the first week of the preseason, underdogs again performed very well, going 12-4 ATS in NFL Preseason Week 1. Unlike last year, when Unders went 12-5 that first preseason week, Overs went 14-2 this time around.
Buffalo Bills
For Buffalo, nothing less than an AFC Championship will do. The Chiefs have ended the Bills’ season four times in the past five years in the playoffs. Allen (3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns passing, 531 yards, and 12 touchdowns rushing) and running back James Cook, who signed a four-year, $48 million extension this week after tying for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns last season, are known entities.
Last week versus the Giants, backups Mitch Trubisky, Mike White, and Shane Buechele combined for 341 yards and three touchdowns passing, but the defence surrendered nearly 400 yards of total offence, including 317 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Chicago Bears
A new era begins in Chicago under Johnson, who led Detroit to a league-best 28.2 points per game over the past three seasons as the Lions offensive coordinator. His responsibility is to revive a franchise that has just two playoff appearances and zero postseason wins over the past 14 years. The Monsters of the Midway’s only Super Bowl victory came 40 seasons ago.
Williams, who threw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns while being sacked a league-high 68 times, is now Johnson’s to mold. The Bears have never had a 4,000-yard passer, but that should change under Johnson’s watch.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Bills vs. Bears?
This prediction is based on Williams seeing more time than Allen Sunday night. The Bears brought in Pro Bowl guards Joe Thuney (Chiefs) and Jonah Jackson (Los Angeles Rams), and top free agent centre Drew Dalman (Atlanta Falcons). Combined with several rookies in key positions, Johnson will want Williams to get game reps and see what progress has been made on offence.
The Bills are most likely already looking to their Sunday night regular-season opener at the Baltimore Ravens, Week 1’s marquee matchup. Expect the Bears to satisfy fans at home with some fireworks on offence and win as a 2.5-point favourite, 28-21.
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