The final week of the preseason is here, and OddsShopper has a Bills-Bears pick to consider this weekend.
While it’s exciting to have Week 1 fast approaching, there’s still time to make some money in the preseason. With that in mind, let’s dive into the early-week NFL preseason odds to see if we can find an edge to exploit ahead of Saturday’s matchup between the Buffalo Bills (1-1) and Chicago Bears (1-1).
Looking for more 2023 NFL predictions? OddsShopper’s experts are here to break down the upcoming NFL season — make sure to check out the rest of our NFL articles, including our AFC East and NFC North previews. Come back during the NFL season for our market-based betting model’s picks and best bets — or try it out for Week 1 now!
Bills-Bears Pick & NFL Preseason Betting Prediction
Bills-Bears Betting Odds
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Bills: -115 | Bears: -105
Bills -1: -105 | Bears +1: -115
Over 38.5: -110 | Under 38.5: -110
Bills-Bears Pick & Prediction
Both Buffalo and Chicago enter their third preseason game with a win and a loss, and early NFL odds show the Bears favored by a point. The total is currently at 38.5 points.
After an opening 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Bills fell short 27-15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field last week.
Quarterback Josh Allen got his first taste of preseason action, starting the game and completing 7 of 10 passes for 64 yards before passing the reigns to Kyle Allen (12 of 15, 112 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions) and Matt Barkley (7 of 12, 93 yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 interceptions), who got the rest of the snaps at quarterback in the loss. Tight end Dalton Kincaid, the team’s first-round draft pick, showed immediate chemistry with Allen and totaled three catches on four targets for 45 yards.
This weekend, Buffalo heads to Chicago to take on the Bears, who started out the NFL preseason with a 23-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans before coming up short 24-17 in Indianapolis against the Colts. Chicago opted to rest its stars in that defeat, including starting quarterback Justin Fields and new-arrival wide receiver D.J. Moore. The duo had quite the eventful showing in the first week of the preseason — Fields was 3-for-3 for 129 yards and two touchdowns, but it should be noted both touchdowns were short throws taken to the house by Moore (62-yard touchdown) and running back Khalil Herbert (56-yard touchdown).
Either way, confidence is as high as it’s been in the Windy City for quite some time, thanks primarily to the undeniable promise shown by Fields under center and the addition of Moore to a passing attack that was shaky at best in 2022.
It still remains to be seen whether Fields and the Bears’ other starters will suit up in the preseason finale on Saturday at Soldier Field. The same is true for Buffalo’s first-teamers on both sides of the ball. For what it’s worth, Allen and the rest of the team’s top skill players did not see the field at all in last year’s preseason finale after playing a drive in the second week. All in all, it wouldn’t be too shocking to see both coaches err on the side of caution to ensure their team leaders are as healthy as possible heading into Week 1.
With that kind of uncertainty as to who will suit up for both teams, under 38.5 may be worth a look early on in the week. The total could drop to a lower number over the next few days should there be more clarity on whether or not the starters will see any kind of game action.
Bills-Bears Pick: Under 38.5 (-115 at FanDuel)
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