The AFC North and NFC North collide head-on in a matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Chicago Bears from Soldier Field. This game gets underway as part of the early afternoon action at 1pm ET on Sunday, Sept. 8. TV coverage will be provided by CBS.
- When:
Sun, Sept. 8th, 2013 @ 1:00pm ET
- Where:
Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- Who’s Favored?
Bengals by 3 ~ 41.5 o/u @ BetOnline
- More Info:
Many fans might have been following the Bengals on Hard Knocks this season, and if they have, then they have seen an inside look at training camp with a Cincinnati team that many believe is good enough to make a run at the AFC Championship.
The AFC North might be the best division in football, with the defending Super Bowl champions in the Baltimore Ravens, and then the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This is the year that Andy Dalton needs to really establish himself as a top-level quarterback. He has the weapons at his disposal, led by receiver A.J. Green. Dalton has led Cincinnati to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, but he hasn’t performed well when the stage was the biggest.
For the Bears, they have a tough division to compete with as well, led by the Green Bay Packers. Potentially all four of the NFC North teams could be playoff teams. The Packers and Minnesota Vikings made it last season. Detroit is predicted to be better this year, and the Bears have expectations as well.
Against the Bengals, look for Chicago to try and establish Matt Forte early and often to then free up play action for Jay Cutler to hook up with Brandon Marshall down the field. If Forte gets going early, then the Bears have a great shot at starting out 1-0.