Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Logan Woodside (11) reacts after a false start flag in the first quarter of the NFL Preseason Week 2 game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field in downtown Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. The Bears led 10-3 at halftime.
- The Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals conclude their preseasons Thursday night in Cincinnati. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
- The Colts will be playing starters through the 2nd quarter on Thursday while Cincinnati is not expected to play any starters.
- Keep scrolling for a further look at the latest odds, best picks and a prediction for Thursday’s AFC matchup.
The end of the NFL preseason is drawing near. The Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts are set to face off at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. on Prime Video.
This matchup should be fairly one-sided. According to head coach Shane Steichen, the Colts (1-1) will be playing starters well into the 2nd quarter. Cincinnati (0-2), on the other hand, will be resting starters.
Keep scrolling for a look at the latest odds, players to watch and a prediction for Thursday’s matchup in Cincinnati.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals Prediction
- Colts -6.5 (-110)
It doesn’t take a football savant to tell you that starters against non-starters for 2 quarters could get ugly. Just look at Cincinnati last week against the Bears, who played starters all the way until halftime – The Bengals looked as if they never wanted to entertain the idea of moving the ball downfield in a 27-3 loss.
Zac Taylor and the Bengals have had pathetic injury luck this offseason, most recently proven with the non-contact injury of Myles Murphy in practice Tuesday. Thankfully, it looks like Murphy will only miss a few weeks. Regardless, you could see why Taylor is hesitant to play starters longer than he has to.
I don’t think this one is ever going to be close.
Colts 27, Bengals 10
Colts vs. Bengals Odds (Caesars)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | -6.5 (-110) | -292 | O 34.5 (-110) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +6.5 (-110) | +235 | U 34.5 (-110) |
Odds above via Caesars Sportsbook. Check out our Caesars Promo Code and more great football betting promo codes for a look at one of the best welcome offers in the business.
The Colts, as can be expected, are listed as touchdown favorites (-6.5) for Thursday’s matchup in Cincinnati. Not interested in betting the spread? Indianapolis comes in as -292 moneyline favorites, with Cincinnati sitting at +235 to win outright.
The Over/Under for this game is about average among Week 3’s preseason slate. Caesars has set the total at 34.5.
For reference, the Colts have averaged 25.5 points per game in preseason play while the Bengals have averaged a dismal 8.5. Keep in mind, Cincinnati only played starters briefly against the Bucs.
Colts vs. Bengals Names to Watch
- Maema Njongmeta, Bengals LB
- Logan Woodside, Bengals QB
- Anthony Richardson, Colts QB
Njongmeta has been a force for Cincinnati this preseason despite being listed low on the depth chart. Admittedly, he’s gotten most of his work in late in the games, but the former Wisconsin LB definitely has a feel for the position. He led the Bengals in tackles against Tampa and Chicago, combining for 17 tackles, 2 pass deflections and a tackle for loss.
Let’s get into the QB matchup for this one. Logan Woodside has been great for Cincinnati and is making a legitimate push for QB2 against Jake Browning. He had an excellent game against Tampa but also a game to forget against Chicago, when he threw a pair of interceptions. Let’s see if he can get some strong work in against a good Colts starting secondary.
It’s always fun to watch Anthony Richardson play football, especially since he missed most of last season. Richardson’s arm talent is obvious, and he’s played well in his short minutes up to this point. Now’s his time to reaffirm that talent.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Down South and contributor with SBD!
As the NFL preseason rolls on, fans are eagerly anticipating the matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Both teams have shown promise in their first two preseason games, and this upcoming game will be a crucial test for both squads as they continue to fine-tune their rosters before the regular season kicks off.
When it comes to predictions for this game, it’s important to keep in mind that preseason games can be unpredictable. Coaches often use these games to evaluate their players and try out different strategies, so the outcome of the game may not always reflect the true strength of each team. That being said, the Colts and Bengals both have talented rosters and should put on a competitive show for fans.
In terms of props, there are a few key players to keep an eye on in this matchup. For the Colts, all eyes will be on quarterback Carson Wentz as he continues to work his way back from injury. Wentz has shown flashes of his former self in the preseason, and fans will be eager to see how he performs against the Bengals’ defense. On the Bengals side, rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been turning heads with his impressive play so far. Look for Chase to make an impact in this game and potentially solidify his spot as a key player in Cincinnati’s offense.
As for the odds, sportsbooks currently have the Colts listed as slight favorites in this matchup. However, with the unpredictable nature of preseason games, anything can happen on game day. Both teams will be looking to make a statement in this game, so expect a hard-fought battle between these two AFC teams.
Overall, the Colts vs. Bengals preseason matchup is sure to be an exciting game for fans to watch. With talented players on both sides of the ball and plenty of storylines to follow, this game has all the makings of a must-watch preseason showdown. Be sure to tune in and see how these two teams stack up as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season.