Bears vs. Bengals odds: Chicago favored as Caleb Williams likely to sit

The Chicago Bears (1-0) travel to Paycor Stadium to face the Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) on Saturday, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET. The market prices Chicago at 55% and Cincinnati at 46%, as of this writing.

Both teams enter off Week 1 preseason wins, with Chicago's Ben Johnson coming off a division-winning debut last season, and Cincinnati's Zac Taylor looking to rebound from a 6-11 finish. Thursday's joint practice in Cincinnati turned physical, with multiple skirmishes on a hot, muggy morning at the Bengals' facility.

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Traders have the Bears as a modest favorite at 55% to Cincinnati's 46%, as of this writing. The number reflects a Bears roster largely intact from an 11-6, division-winning 2025 season against a Bengals team still working several defensive starters back into the lineup.

According to Kalshi's 2026 NFL market-implied power rankings, Cincinnati enters as the No. 9 team in the league while Chicago ranks 15th, one of the closer gaps in this week's slate.

Chicago's injury list includes safety Coby Bryant, who underwent knee surgery and could miss four to six months, and receiver Luther Burden III, who is dealing with a groin injury expected to keep him out for the preseason but hopes to return for the regular season opener.

Cincinnati's report is led by safety Dax Hill and safety Bryan Cook, both of whom remain on the rehab field alongside defensive end Shemar Stewart more than a week into camp without a clear return timetable.

The top story is whether Caleb Williams plays at all. Ben Johnson said he would assess late Thursday whether his starters, including Williams, need snaps Saturday after a choppy joint practice in which Williams threw an interception on his final read of the day. Williams did not play in Chicago's Week 1 win over Cleveland. (Update: Williams is not expected to play, according to A to Z Sports).

The joint practice sessions carried an edge that could spill into Saturday. Beyond the between-linemen scraps, a Bears defender and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow grabbed each other by the jersey during a third skirmish, a sign both sides are treating this preseason matchup as more than a formality even with starters uncertain to see the field.

Chicago is priced at 51% to win by more than 1.5 points, as of this writing.

The total is priced at 48% to go over 37.5 points, as of this writing.

Chicago is priced at 25% to win the NFC North, as of this writing, with Detroit leading the division at 35%.

Cincinnati is priced at 34% to win the AFC North, as of this writing, with Baltimore leading the division at 45%.

Kalshi markets now predict:

When is Chicago vs. Cincinnati? Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the game? Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
How can I watch? Local broadcast.
What is Kalshi traders' current number? Chicago is priced at 55% and Cincinnati at 46%, as of this writing.

Chicago holds a narrow edge on the road, with Kalshi traders pricing the Bears at 55% as both teams plan to keep most starters on the sideline.

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