Colts vs. Bengals Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks: NFL Preseason Week 3

The Bengals boast the better quarterback room, which should lead to a win over the Colts with most starters sitting.

Isaiah Sirois

Last Updated: August 22, 2025 4:08 PM EDT • 4 minute read

Pictured Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard scrambles as we look at our Colts vs. Bengals prediction. Photo by Rafael Suanes / Imagn.

The Colts will visit the Bengals after announcing Daniel Jones as their Week 1 starter before the end of the preseason, though his status doesn’t affect our Colts vs. Bengals prediction. Neither Jones nor Anthony Richardson Sr. will start for Indianapolis.

As our NFL preseason Week 3 predictions continue, it’s important to remember the role of the preseason: player evaluation. Teams won’t be as invested in winning as they are in the regular season, so size your bets up accordingly.

🏈 Colts vs. Bengals prediction & expert picks

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✅ Against the spread pick: Bengals -2.5 (-105 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐
✅ My best bet: Bengals First Half -0.5 (-105 via Hard Rock Bet) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📊 Colts vs. Bengals odds

Live updated odds from our best live betting sites. Follow the latest NFL scores for line history and matchup info.

🪧 Colts vs. Bengals opening odds:

Colts: +2.5 (-115)
Bengals: -2.5 (-105)

🔮 Colts vs. Bengals ATS prediction

Usatsi 26803447 168410955 Lowres — Pictured Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass as we look at our Colts vs. Bengals prediction. Photo by Eric Hartline / Imagn.

🐅 Bengals -2.5 ⭐⭐

📊 Best odds: -105 via FanDuel ($10 to win $9.52)
🔢 Implied probability: 51.22%

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The Bengals won’t use their starters, but the Colts won’t use their top two quarterbacks. Instead, rookie Riley Leonard will take the controls, with undrafted rookie Jason Bean to get reps behind him.

Leonard hasn’t been looking good in the preseason. He's completed only 52.8% of his pass attempts for a solid 8.2 yards per throw, but the signal-caller tossed no touchdowns and one interception. Meanwhile, Bean went a dismal 3-for-7 passing last week.

Cincinnati will likely turn to backup Jake Browning or third-string quarterback Desmond Ridder, both of whom have logged plenty of experience in both the regular season and preseason. Browning impressed during last week’s game against the Commanders while completing 64% of his pass attempts for 6.4 yards per throw and two scores. Ridder has completed half his throws for 5.7 yards per attempt and a score.

📖 Check out our 2025 NFL preseason betting guide for the best betting strategies and full NFL preseason schedule.

💰 Colts vs. Bengals best bet

🐅 Bengals first half -0.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📊 Best odds: -105 via Hard Rock Bet ($10 to win $9.52)
🔢 Implied probability: 51.22%

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

We're minimizing the risk of late-game shenanigans while backing the Bengals to cover only the first-half spread. Cincinnati has used just Burrow, Browning, and Ridder this preseason, but undrafted rookie Payton Thorne is waiting in the wings. He could see his first preseason action on Saturday, but it likely wouldn’t come until the second half.

The Bengals only need to outscore Leonard and the Colts by a single point in the first half to cash this ticket, and we think Browning and Ridder will do just enough to get the job done. Add in the slew of injuries that the Colts are dealing with on both sides of the ball, and this is one of the best bets of the preseason so far, and at quite a reasonable price of -105 through Hard Rock Bet.

🚑 Colts vs. Bengals injuries

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Written by:
Isaiah Sirois

Isaiah Sirois is a Sports Betting Analyst at Sportsbook Review specializing in basketball, motorsports, and football. He uses a wide variety of analytical tools to identify value on event-specific markets, and you can always find his columns stuffed to the brim with data. Basketball is Isaiah’s favorite sport to handicap, and he has covered NBA, WNBA, NCAA, Olympic, and FIBA markets for Sportsbook Review and other sites. However, Isaiah’s favorite sport to follow is auto racing, and you can usually find him watching NASCAR or IndyCar most weekends. He will be a fan of Team Penske and Ford Performance until the end of time. Isaiah graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and is currently attending Vanderbilt Law School.