Bears vs. Bengals: Live updates from the game

UPDATE: A few of these Bears were banged up in training camp, so it’s smart to hold them back.

The Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals are set to kick off at 6:00 p.m. Central time from Paul Brown Stadium, and we should get a glimpse of the No. 1’s for a portion of the first quarter.

For live updates you can click here.

This is also your official Open Thread, so keep in mind it is rated WCG-MA.

Since the Bears reported to camp earlier than the Bengals, I would assume that their install is a little further along that Cincinnati’s. So there’s a small chance that we see Chicago’s No. 1’s for a tad longer. #fingerscrossed

Even if Mitchell Trubisky does get the bulk of the first quarter, I’d expect a similar vanilla game plan that Chase Daniel had last week against the Ravens.

Yesterday the Bears announced that tight end Dion Sims, wide out Josh Bellamy, defensive back Rashard Fant, and outside linebacker Isaiah Irving were staying home.

And in case you were wondering, look who tweeted out that he was getting ready for his first NFL game.

Look at the quarterback and wide receiver No. 1 stepping in style.

First quarter update:

On the Bears’ first Trubisky possession of 2018 they ... had negative yardage. And also did largely nothing on their second possession. Not a great start for the second-year quarterback and friends. I can’t believe Matt Nagy’s offense is already a bust.

On much of the first team Bears defense’s first possession of 2018 they allowed a touchdown to Joe Mixon off extended drive and an Adrian Amos missed tackle. Roquan Smith is missed

Then, later, Kyle Fuller decided to take matters in his own hands and put Chicago’s defense on his back. Smith is not missed?

Second quarter update:

Looks like we’ve got a barnburner in Cincinnati!

Well, not really.

After early fireworks between both teams, the depth for both the Bears and Bengals checked in, and it would appear that Cincinnati’s depth is better. Small sample sizes are the best.

Though, Adam Shaheen looked good in his limited time, snagging three passes for 53 yards including this beauty on third down.

Later, a man who is fighting for a roster spot and had the start tonight in Taquan Mizzell, helped the Bears even it up at 14 early in the second stanza. On the preceding play, Matt Nagy elected to go for it on fourth down to see what his players can do. That mentality of teaching worked and I, for one, am shocked.

Check out James Daniels at center initially losing on the play, and then bowling over his man. Seems to me we might have a center controversy brewing.

On the next Bengals possession, the Bears defense would get off the field quickly until ... a fake punt in the preseason!

Though, the Bengals couldn’t capitalize on the trickery and eventually settled for a field goal. That became the story of the end of the half with two more made Cincinnati kicks bringing us to a 23-14 halftime score. Fun, fun, fun.

Third quarter update:

Enough fun. Now it’s preseason dregs and bottom of the roster time.

Tyler Bray started the second half for the Bears and after a solid opening drive, he threw an interception to the Bengals’ KeiVarae Russell on a pass intended for Tanner Gentry.

The Bengals could get nothing going on most of their next few possessions. Then, finally, a nice 69-yard run by Ryan Nall would put the Bears on the brink of a touchdown towards the close of the third. Bray would miss a wide open Ben Braunecker and Chicago settled for the second Cody Parkey field goal of the third. The hapless Connor Barth, Parkey is not.

Chicago trails 23-20 entering the final quarter. You could cut through the tension with a knife.

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Pregame

After playing in Canton, Ohio last week, the Bears are back in the Buckeye State to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 of the NFL’s preseason slate. The Bears got a jump start on their schedule with the Hall of Fame Game last week (a narrow 17-16 loss to the Ravens), but this is Cincinnati’s first game.

Time, TV channel, and streaming info

Date: Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018

Time: 6:00 p.m. CT

Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

TV: This game is on locally in the following places per 506 Sports.

WFLD (FOX/32 - Chicago)
WIFR (CBS/23 - Rockford)
WYZZ (FOX/43 - Peoria)
WRSP (FOX-55/27 - Springfield/Champaign)
WSBT (FOX/22.2 - South Bend IN)
WANE (CBS/15 - Fort Wayne IN)
WTVW (CW/7 - Evansville IN)
WAWV (ABC/38 - Terre Haute IN)
WPBI (NBC/16 - Lafayette IN)
KLJB (FOX/18 - Quad Cities)
WOI (ABC/5 - Des Moines)
WIFS (57 - Madison WI)

Announcers: Adam Amin (play-by-play) and Jim Miller (color)

Radio: WBBM 780 AM and 105.9 FM, and in Spanish on Latino Mix 93.5 FM and Univision 1200 AM

Replay: Full replay schedule at NFL Network, and NFL Gamepass

Online Stream: NFL Gamepass

Weather: Mid 80’s, partly cloudy [NFL weather]

Odds: Bengals, -2.5 [OddsShark]

SB Nation Bengals site: Cincy Jungle

Bears vs. Bengals predictions: OddsShark projects a 20-18 Bengals win, but I predict a Bears victory with a final score of 22-21.

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