Plenty of NFL preseason battles are approaching soon, with one worth checking out is the Indianapolis Colts (1-1) against the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) on Thursday, August 22 at 8:00 PM ET at Paycor Stadium. Despite the action in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Colts are favored with a point spread at -5.5 (-110).
The Colts had a nail-biter of a loss in their opening preseason game, which was a 34-30 ending against the Denver Broncos. They recently got on the winning side after a 21-13 outing over the Arizona Cardinals.
Quarterback Jason Bean completed seven out of nine passes and threw for 94 yards. He did have an interception but also ran in for a touchdown to boost the Colts' confidence.
Their offense is firing on all cylinders heading into the next preseason game. They have scored 51 points, or 25.5 points a game. Laquon Treadwell has been appealing at wide receiver, as he has eight receptions, 88 yards, and a touchdown.
The Colts' defense has allowed their opponents to score 47 points. This amounts to 23.5 points per game, roughly what they averaged last season. If they can improve here, this would make them a tough team to stop.
The Bengals are coming off a disappointing 27-3 blowout defeat against the Chicago Bears. They allowed two consecutive quarters of double-digit scoring opportunities for the Bears and could not slow them down.
Quarterback Logan Woodside had moments where he showed solid leadership on offense. He threw for 132 yards and completed 17 of 25 passes. However, he had two interceptions that held up their momentum offensively.
The Bengals have accumulated just 20 points or 10.0 points per contest. Their performance could be more consistent, and they will need to find weapons to complement starting quarterback Joe Burrow for the regular season.
They have been even more suspect on defense, as they have given up 44 points total. This averages down to allowing 22.0 points a game. At this rate, they need more extended control of the football if their defense has these many issues.
MyBookie showcases appealing NFL preseason betting odds in the Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals game. The Colts have some momentum and are 5.5-point favorites to succeed.
The Colts have looked appealing on both sides of the ball and have shown they are ready for the regular season. The Bengals are coming off a blowout loss and will likely not be able to slow down the Colts' offense. Look for the Colts to cover the spread.
