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Chicago Bears Are Four-Point Favorites Against the Cincinnati Bengals

Odds, favorites and underdogs are a bit early, considering there's five months of draft picks, final cuts, workouts and (hopefully) the avoidance of injuries remaining before the first game. But the odds are already out.

By Josh Kirkendall
Kent Nishimura

Despite the game being played five months from now, the Cincinnati Bengals are already four-point underdogs when they kickoff the regular season against the Chicago Bears on September 8, according Oddshark.com. Odds naturally allow as much as three points to the home team for a perceived advantage against the visiting team, who travels the day before to unfamiliar accommodations.

Chicago has been active in free agency, especially at linebacker and the offensive line. The Bears signed linebacker D.J. Williams after cutting veteran Brian Urlacher and James Anderson, who was released from the Carolina Panthers.

Two of the team's biggest splashes came when signing offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod to a $35 million contract on the first day of free agency, along with tight end Martellus Bennett. Over ten free agents that played with different teams in 2012 signed with the Bears, as well as seven of their own.

The Bears projected needs for the 2013 NFL draft includes more help on the offensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary. Chicago selected at No. 20, right before Cincinnati's first-round pick.

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