Colts vs Bengals Predictions, Props & Odds for Preseason Week 3

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

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Colts vs. Bengals Odds (Caesars)

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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 LBLogan Woodside, Bengals QBAnthony 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.

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