An AFC clash will help to close out this year’s preseason, as the Indianapolis Colts make the short trip to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. Ahead of the action, Sportzino’s free sportsbook has you covered with all the NFL odds and Colts vs. Bengals prediction you need.
The Colts are yet to enjoy a win this August, falling to the hated Baltimore Ravens before dropping a tight game at home against the Green Bay Packers.
The Bengals, meanwhile, have put in a pair of impressive games aided by a new preseason approach—featuring plenty more action for starters than in past years. At 1-1, it’s just about time for their attention to turn to Week 1, but first, a little inter-conference clash with Indianapolis.
With this year’s preseason coming to a close around the league this weekend, check out our Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals predictions, including the full American football odds and NFL prediction, with kickoff set for August 23 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Matchup Indianapolis Colts vs Cincinnati Bengals Overview
Teams: Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Paycor Stadium
Win Probabilities
The NFL win probabilities have been generated using insights from recent NFL games in combination with expert NFL picks and predictions.
The Indianapolis Colts are locked into a new starting quarterback in Daniel Jones and have been given a 44.4% chance to win this NFL game. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals have one of the sport’s best, and have a 64.2% chance according to the NFL win probabilities.
Projected Final Score
The projected final score anticipates a tight game in Southern Ohio, but for the Cincinnati Bengals to prevail with a final score of Cincinnati Bengals 20-10 Indianapolis Colts.
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
For both the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals, this preseason has been about getting settled.
In Indy, that notion has been focused on an underwhelming quarterback competition between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, which officially ended this week with Jones declared the Week 1 starter. It was the correct—and frankly, obvious—decision.
Even Jones’ biggest detractors could see he is capable of operating an NFL offense, while Richardson remains one of the most raw prospects in recent memory.
For the Bengals, meanwhile, it’s been all about settling the nerves and mistakes that have plagued them so frequently early in regular seasons under Zac Taylor.
With the starters getting more run than ever in preseason, Cincinnati has looked polished, and the optimism from franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, in particular, has to be hugely encouraging.
With the teams’ respective goals largely accomplished this August, it’s wheels up toward the regular season. That means plenty of backups on the field on Saturday, and some true-blue preseason football.
Looking for more NFL action? Don’t miss our latest predictions for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Miami Dolphins Predictions
Why the Indianapolis Colts Can Cover
Daniel Jones winning the starting job in Indy has created a wrinkle on Saturday that has the potential for huge entertainment.
Just two years after he was selected third overall, time is up for Anthony Richardson with the Colts. Like every other highly drafted quarterback who flamed out in their first spot, Richardson’s bound to still have plenty of believers around the league.
That means we can expect plenty of Richardson under center this weekend as both he and the team put on a showcase for a potential trade. And, as Richardson has proven time and time again through 15 career starts, that means feast or famine.
Will the Colts—and the rest of the league—see the athletic marvel who is just as capable of putting it on a dime 50 yards downfield as he is running over a linebacker? Or, will it be the much more prominent version of Richardson—the one who simply can’t operate an NFL offense, can’t make easy throws, and can’t stay on the field?
With such a volatile player, it’s truly a guessing game. But, if the Colts get the former, there’s a great chance he shreds the Bengals’ defense in a victory. If it’s the latter? A trade out of Indy would be unlikely to materialize… and a Colts’ win—or cover—becomes even more far-fetched.
Why the Cincinnati Bengals Can Cover
After an 0-3 start in 2024, and 0-2 starts in ’23 and ’22, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor revamped his team’s approach to preseason. Taylor bucked the trend of his old boss, Rams head coach Sean McVay, and reintegrated his starters—mainly, franchise quarterback Joe Burrow—into the picture in August.
The results have been all you could ask for. Across two preseason games, Burrow has gone a combined 18 for 24 with 185 yards passing, three scores, and no interceptions. As far as preseason prep goes, it’s difficult to have asked more.
With Cincinnati on a short week ahead of its matchup with the Colts, it’s unlikely Burrow features for a third straight game—turning the keys over to two competent backups in Jake Browning and Desmond Ridder.
Browning, in particular, has shown himself to be among the league’s best backup quarterbacks.
Across seven starts in relief of Burrow during the 2023 season, Browning completed 70.4% of his passes and totalled just under 2,000 yards passing, with a 12 to 7 touchdown to interception ratio. With his arm talent and decision-making, he can legitimately exploit backup defenses.
And while Ridder faded from relevance as a starter as quickly as he appeared, he, too, has shown competent backup-level play at times. He’s a veteran of nearly 20 starts and, despite a so-so arm and a penchant for turnovers, is the type of player who can operate an offense in the preseason.
Both backups have put together strong drives already this preseason, with Browning again flashing legitimate upside in a 16 for 25, 159-yard, and two-touchdown performance last weekend.
With preseason wrapping up and most key starters being mothballed, there’s a strong likelihood Browning is the best player on the field on Saturday. That alone creates a wide path for the Bengals to cover at home.
Current Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Indianapolis Colts | +125 | +3 | O36.5 (-120) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | -180 | -3 | U36.5 (-120) |
How to Make Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals Picks
Ready to make picks on the Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals matchup on Saturday, August 23?
Make sure to head over to Sportzino.com, where you can find every NFL game on the slate this weekend, and so much more!
