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Buffalo Bills vs Chicago Bears Picks

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<p data-start="154" data-end="544">After a massive NFL preseason slate on Saturday, Sunday gives us a much calmer two-game menu: Jaguars vs. Saints in the matinee, followed by Bills vs. Bears as our unofficial Sunday Night Football matchup. I’ll be honest, I have zero interest in spending my afternoon watching Jacksonville and New Orleans pretend to care. But I <em data-start="484" data-end="490">will</em> be fully locked in for the nightcap at Soldier Field.</p>
<p>Check out the latest odds at the <a href="/best-online-sportsbooks/">best online sportsbooks.</a> Plus, take some time to check out our NFL Divisional Previews below.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/articles/nfl/afc-west-2025-divisional-preview-picks-predictions-will-chiefs-finally-crumble/">AFC West Divisional Picks</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/nfl/nfc-west-2025-divisional-preview-picks-predictions/">NFC West Divisional Predictions</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/nfl/afc-east-2025-divisional-preview-picks-predictions/">AFC East Divisional Preview</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/nfl/nfc-east-2025-divisional-preview-picks-predictions/">NFC East Divisional Insights</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/nfl/afc-north-2025-divisional-preview-picks-predictions/">AFC North Divisional Predictions</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/nfl/nfc-north-2025-divisional-preview-picks-predictions/">NFC North Divisional Picks</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/nfl/afc-south-2025-divisional-preview-picks-predictions/">AFC South Divisional Preview</a></li>
<li><a href="/articles/nfl/nfc-south-2025-divisional-preview-picks-predictions/">NFC South Divisional Insights</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 data-start="546" data-end="888">Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears NFL Picks</h2>
<p data-start="546" data-end="888">As a Bears fan, I’m entering this season cautiously optimistic. Optimistic because Ben Johnson, even in his rookie stint as head coach, already feels like a massive upgrade from the Eberflus era. Cautious because… well… it’s still the Bears, and Caleb Williams, in year two, is still learning how to walk before he runs in Johnson’s offense.</p>
<h3>Matchup Information &#8211; Bills vs. Bears</h3>
<ul>
<li>Venue &amp; Location: Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)</li>
<li>Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025</li>
<li>Kick Off: 8:00 p.m. Eastern</li>
<li>Broadcast: FOX</li>
</ul>
<h3>Bills vs. Bears Betting Odds &#8211; August 17</h3>
<p><em><a href="/best-online-sportsbooks/betonline/">Odds are courtesy of BetOnline</a>, one of our favorite online sportsbooks. Sign up today with <a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/betonline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Promo Code FREE250 for a 50% deposit bonus up to $250</a> as well as 100 Free Spins at the online casino.</em></p>
<h4>Spread</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bills +2.5 (-105)</li>
<li>Bears -2.5 (-115)</li>
</ul>
<h4>Moneyline</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bills +135</li>
<li>Bears -155</li>
</ul>
<h4>Total</h4>
<ul>
<li>Over 41.5 (-110)</li>
<li>Under 41.5 (-100)</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="890" data-end="1287">We’ll get our first real glimpse of what Williams looks like in this new system on Sunday, and I don&#8217;t have high expectations, so I&#8217;ll be targeting the under 21.5 in the first half, knowing we likely won&#8217;t get enough points from Chicago to push that total over.</p>
<h2 data-start="546" data-end="888">Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears NFL Picks and Predictions</h2>
<h3>Bills vs. Bears NFL Prediction: First Half Under 21.5 (-115, BetOnline)</h3>
<p data-start="890" data-end="1287">Johnson told reporters earlier this week that all of his starters will play for the first time this summer. The part he <em data-start="1101" data-end="1109">didn’t</em> mention is how long we’ll see them. My guess? At least the first quarter, maybe more, if Johnson wants to crank up the pressure and see how his franchise QB handles real game action.</p>
<p data-start="1289" data-end="1493">Reports from Halas Hall have been cautiously encouraging. Johnson has brought structure, demanded accountability, and installed a level of detail the franchise simply hasn’t had in years. That’s the good.</p>
<p data-start="1495" data-end="1923">The not-so-good? This offense is still very much a work in progress. Williams’ processing speed in Johnson’s system isn’t quite there yet, which has led to issues getting in and out of the huddle and penalties along the offensive line. The left tackle position is an open carousel, and thanks to the overload of information Johnson is throwing at this group, clunky execution has been more common than clean.</p>
<h3 data-start="1925" data-end="2118">News From Joint Practice</h3>
<p data-start="1925" data-end="2118">Heading into their joint practice with Buffalo on Friday, the Bears were still legitimately rotating <em data-start="2026" data-end="2032">four</em> guys at left tackle: Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapillo, Theo Benedet, and Kiran Amegadjie.</p>
<p data-start="2120" data-end="2489">ESPN’s Courtney Cronin summed it up best during Friday’s scrimmage, tweeting: “Move the ball period was a roller coaster for the Bears first team offense. Two false starts. They begin the drill with Theo Benedet at LT and swap him for Braxton Jones once they’re about midfield. Caleb Williams hits Olamide Zaccheaus for a 40ish yard catch and run TD. And then Williams takes 2 sacks. Jones got beat badly by Greg Rousseau on the 2nd one.” So… yes… roller coaster feels about right.</p>
<p data-start="2491" data-end="2721">Now, take all of that uncertainty — new system, unsettled line, a QB still calibrating his brain — drop it into a live game setting versus a competent defense, and suddenly point-scoring becomes more of a hope than an expectation.</p>
<p data-start="2723" data-end="3270">Last week against Miami, the Bears offense came out flat. Tyson Bagent had moments of competence, mixed with some “okay, next series” throws. On the flip side, Buffalo’s defense didn’t exactly dominate in their preseason opener against the Giants, giving up 34 points and over 300 passing yards. However, that was mostly with backups.</p>
<p data-start="2723" data-end="3270">If Sean McDermott plays more starters on defense, which seems likely, Chicago is facing a different animal Sunday night. And based on reports, Buffalo looked hungrier and sharper in the joint practice than Miami ever did.</p>
<p data-start="3272" data-end="3676">Sure, Williams is technically in his sophomore season and should be more comfortable. But given the new scheme, new staff, rotating left-tackle situation, and new playbook, I’m treating him like a rookie making his first real start. There’s no reason to expect fireworks in the Bears’ first live action together, especially against a disciplined Bills defense that doesn’t beat itself.</p>
<p data-start="3678" data-end="3906">I also don’t expect to see Josh Allen for more than a drive or two, if at all, which means I’m not exactly fearing a 21-point explosion from Buffalo’s offense in the first half. Add it all up, and I’m riding with the <strong data-start="311" data-end="356">First Half Under 21.5 <a href="https://promotions.betonline.ag/multisports-lp?btag=6Ym4hEV2eWYTU_B6OB_dCmNd7ZgqdRLk&amp;affid=2085" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(-115 at BetOnline)</a></strong>.</p>
<p data-start="3678" data-end="3906">Could Chicago&#8217;s offense pull it together as the season moves along? Absolutely. But in their first real test with the varsity on the field? I’ll believe it when I see it.</p>
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