Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears Betting Preview
22 August 2023
Week 3 of the NFL is here, and this is the final chance for teams to tune up before the start of the regular season. The Buffalo Bills visit Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday for a matchup with the Bears.
Buffalo picked up a win over Indianapolis in Week 1 of the preseason before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend. The Bills are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, and they are more concerned about getting to the regular season.
The Bears are also 1-1 so far in the preseason, and they have played in a pair of tight games. Chicago was the worst team in the NFL a season ago, but they appear to have what it takes to bounce back in a big way this season.
It is the Chicago Bears that are slim 1.5-point betting favorites on Saturday afternoon against the Bills.
Bills Ready For Real Games
When you are a team with as many veteran players as the Buffalo Bills, they are simply looking to get the regular season started. Quarterback Josh Allen will not be playing in this game, and neither will other offensive stars.
Buffalo is going to look to get the run game going in this one, as they are averaging just 77 rushing yards per game. The Bills can’t rely on Josh Allen to do everything for them on offense, and they need to show signs of improvement.
It was the defense that let the Bills down last weekend, as they gave up 27 points to the Steelers. Regardless of who plays for the Bears in this game, Buffalo will have to finish plays and have better tackling techniques.
Excitement at Soldier Field
There is plenty of excitement around Soldier Fields these days, and most of that is centered around quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears are not expected to play Fields in this game, but the offense has looked sharp without him as well.
Tyson Bagent was signed by the Bears after going undrafted, and he put on a show at the quarterback position last weekend. Chicago is a team that can run the football, but they now appear to have a terrific passing game.
The defense for the Bears is allowing 377 yards per game so far during the preseason, and that is an area of concern. Head coach Matt Eberflus will be watching this unit closely, but it might not matter in this matchup.
Dunkel Pick: Bears Won’t be Stopped
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 118.256; Chicago 128.600
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 10 ½; 42
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 1 ½; 39
Predicted Final Score: Chicago 26, Buffalo 16
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-1 ½); Over
While neither team will be playing their starters in this matchup, there will still be some reasons to watch. Buffalo will be doing all that they can to get the run game going, while the Bears are hoping to get better on defense.
The Bears are wanting to enter the 2023 regular season with a ton of momentum on offense, and they will have some huge plays in this game. Bet the Chicago Bears -1.5 as they roll to a big win over the Buffalo Bills in the preseason finale for both teams.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
