Chicago Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler (Photo : Reuters)
NFL Preseason Week 3 action continues with a game between the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals at the Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on August 29, Saturday.
This third game of the preseason is usually the most significant as coaches tend to field their best teams before resting them in the fourth and final game in preparation for the regular season.
Chicago won both preseason matches so far and their last one was a 23-11 shellacking of the Indianapolis Colts at the Lucas Oil Stadium, as per the Chicago Tribune.
Back quarterback Jimmy Clausen played well in the second half leading the team for two touchdown drives taking over from starter Jay Cutler.
Cutler was also excellent after he directed the team to three field goals in the first half despite a number of errors by the Bears.
Cincinnati is 1-1 this preseason and their 25-11 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a sign that head coach Marvin Lewis still has a lot to improve on his team, via Bleacher Report.
It is expected that both teams will face each one's starters most of this game, and the Bengals will know whether its rated no. 5 rushing game last season is still efficient while the Bears will be given more opportunities to practice their new 3-4 defense before the real competitions start next month.
Prediction: Bears win, 21-17
Chicago Bears starting lineup
Offense: Cutler (QB), Forte (RB), Wilson (WR1), Royal (WR2), Bellamy (WR3), Bennett (TE), Bushrod (LT), Slauson (LG), Montgomery (C), Long (RG), Mills (RT)
Defense: Ferguson (DE), Ratliff (NT), Jenkins (DE), Allen (OLB), Foster (ILB), Jones (ILB), McPhee (OLB), Jennings (CB1), Fuller (CB2), Vereen (SS), Rolle (FS)
Cincinnati Bengals starting lineup
Offense: Dalton (QB), Hill (RB), Hewitt (FB), Green (WR1), Sanu (WR2), Eifert (TE), Whitworth (LT), Boling (LG), Bodine (C), Zeitler (RG), Smith (RT),
Defense: Dunlap (DE), Peko (DT), Atkins (DT), Johnson (DE), Lamur (OLB), Maualuga (MLB), Burfict (OLB), Kirkpatrick (CB1), Hall (CB2), Iloka (SS), Nelson (FS)
