(670 The Score) The Bears (4-3) will visit the Bengals (3-5) on Sunday, with kickoff set for noon CT from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Our 670 The Score pregame show will start at 9 a.m. and last until kickoff. Our postgame show will begin when the Bears game ends, tentatively set for 3 p.m. You can listen here.
You can check out all of 670’s preview coverage of the Bears-Bengals matchup by clicking here. Below are game predictions from our 670 hosts, producers and writers.
David Haugh (5-2): Bears 34, Bengals 23
The Bears must stop losing to backup quarterbacks. Expect Caleb Williams to rediscover his rhythm and the Bears' running game to dictate the tempo. This is the soft spot in the schedule, and good teams recognize that and react accordingly.
Matt Spiegel (5-2): Bears 24, Bengals 23
The Bears squeak by, but Caleb Williams isn’t much better.
Chris Emma (4-3): Bears 34, Bengals 27
Call it a get-right game for Caleb Williams and the Bears as they face a porous Bengals defense that has allowed at least 27 points in seven straight games. If Joe Flacco plays, Cincinnati can at least keep pace.
Paul Pabst (5-2): Bengals 21, Bears 20
I’m trying to be positive, but the Bears have injuries at defensive back and the Bengals can throw it around. Joe Flacco will do what it takes to play through his injury. This will be closer than last week.
Alex Kuhn (5-2): Bears 31, Bengals 17
This Bengals defense is dreadful. Caleb Williams has his best game of the season, and the Bears bounce back with a resounding win.
Sean Sears (7-0): Bears 31, Bengals 21
Caleb Williams quietly had a solid game in Baltimore despite Tyson Bagent’s name coming up this week (eyeroll). Williams wasn’t great against the Ravens and made clear mistakes that cost the Bears, but he also threw for 285 yards and connected with receivers at all three passing levels. The run game has to be the focal point for the Bears against the Bengals, and I also think Williams continues to showcase his improving accuracy in a win.
Tyler Ferengul (3-4): Bears 34, Bengals 31
I heard Sean Sears is picking the Bears, so I'm riding with the undefeated Sears on this one and picking the Bears. It worries me a lot that the top available cornerbacks to cover Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are Nahshon Wright and Nick McCloud. It worries me a lot the Bears’ top receivers are dealing with injuries. With all that said, I believe Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams will find a way to win in ugly fashion, just the way it has gone for the Bears in the first half of the season. Both defenses are banged up, and both offenses have the potential to put points on the board. In the end, I trust the Bears to get it done in the clutch over the Bengals. They escape Cincinnati with a win and move to 5-3.
Clint Clouse (6-1): Bears 37, Bengals 19
After a stinker on all fronts against the Ravens last week, the Bears face the Bengals, who are without Joe Burrow and could be without Joe Flacco. They also have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Caleb Williams and Co. should exploit a defense that’s ranked dead last in the league or close to it in a number of key categories. Despite the number of wide receivers on their injury report, I expect the Bears to have both Rome Odunze and DJ Moore available for this game. I also expect the Bears defense to force a turnover or two, and the key is to slow down Bengals stars receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If the Bears can do that, clean up the penalties and end drives in the red zone with touchdowns, they’ll win this game.
Robbie Triano (3-4): Bengals 31, Bears 24
I just can't get a read on the Bears this year. Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in. And when I'm all in, they're giving me a reason to give up. The Bears got away with having subpar play from their quarterback by forcing turnovers in their four-game winning streak. Their loss to the Ravens brought us back to reality. My biggest question is this: When are we going to see Caleb Williams make a difference on a consistent basis? I'm just not sold that it's going to be anytime soon. The Bengals have dudes on offense, and I don't trust the Bears to outscore them.
Tyler Buterbaugh (5-2): Bears 34, Bengals 28
The Bears offense should take advantage of a poor Bengals defense and move the ball up and down the field. With the Bears defense banged up, the Bengals offense will keep it close, but Chicago comes out on top.