The road to a Caleb Williams Year 2 leap begins on Sunday as the Chicago Bears host the Buffalo Bills, with a sprinkling of starters expected at Soldier Field.
Sean McDermott has been cagey about whether the Buffalo big guns will take any snaps here, so my Bills vs Bears prediction favors a Chicago team that should be more explosive as Ben Johnson’s offense takes shape.
With all eyes on Williams in his preseason debut, take a closer look at this August 17 matchup with my free NFL picks and betting tips.
Bills vs Bears prediction
Bills vs Bears Best bet: Bears -2.5 (-115)
Whether Caleb Williams plays a few snaps or a few series, we’ll get a first glimpse of the new-look Chicago Bears offense on Sunday, with Ben Johnson calling the shots.
After Williams’ bumpy rookie season, the spotlight will be even brighter this year, but I like this spot for Chicago against a veteran Buffalo Bills team that will surely prioritize health over preseason reps.
The Bears should be able to move the ball here, benefitting from Williams’ continuity with receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze and tight end Cole Kmet.
I’m laying this small spread with the hosts and counting on backup QB Tyson Bagent to make enough plays when he comes into the game.
Buffalo’s training camp has been hampered by injuries, with the receiver room particularly impacted. While Josh Allen’s status for Sunday is unclear, the likeliest scenario is a timeshare between Mitch Trubisky – back at Soldier Field where his career began – and Mike White, who are competing to be Allen’s backup.
Trubisky and White had solid outings last weekend in the 34-25 loss against the New York Giants, but I have my doubts about that pair repeating the trick here if Chicago starts the game with its first-choice defense on the field.
On the flip side, the Buffalo Bills defense allowed 317 yards and three touchdowns through the air last Saturday. Look for the Bears, who scored 24 points in Week 1 preseason action without their starters, to cash in.
Bills vs Bears odds
- Spread: Bills +2.5 (-105) | Bears -2.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Bills +122 | Bears -145
- Over/Under: Over 41.0 (-115) | Under 41.0 (-105)
How to watch Bills vs Bears
| Location: | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Sunday, 8-17, 2025 |
| Kickoff: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Bills vs Bears weather
Monitor gametime conditions with our live NFL weather info and learn how weather impacts NFL betting.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
