Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction: Who Will Win Friday Night?

Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction: Get Cincinnati vs Philadelphia odds, spread, player props, same game parlay and best bet.

Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction: Bengals vs Eagles, Who Will Win Today?

The best bet in the Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction is the Cincinnati Bengals +2.5 against the Philadelphia Eagles Friday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

Both teams are expected to sit their starting quarterbacks. Joe Burrow will not play for Cincinnati, while Jalen Hurts will also remain on the sideline for Philadelphia. That makes the quality and expected usage of the backup quarterbacks especially important.

Cincinnati has the better situation.

Josh Johnson is an experienced NFL veteran who helped lead the Bengals to a convincing 27-9 victory over Chicago last week. Philadelphia’s Andy Dalton, meanwhile, struggled badly in his most recent preseason appearance, completing only 3 of 10 passes for 44 yards against New England.

The Eagles do have an intriguing third-string option in Tanner McKee, who went 16-of-22 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in that same game. However, McKee’s potential impact depends heavily on when Nick Sirianni decides to use him.

Cincinnati enters the game 2-0, while Philadelphia is 0-2.

The market has the Eagles laying 2.5 points, but the Bengals have the more convincing preseason profile.

The Pick: Cincinnati Bengals +2.5

A Summary

The Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction comes down to one major question: which team has the more reliable backup quarterback situation?

The answer is Cincinnati.

Joe Burrow will not play for the Bengals, and Jalen Hurts will not play for the Eagles. With both starting quarterbacks unavailable, the game becomes a test of backup depth, offensive continuity and coaching philosophy.

Cincinnati’s Josh Johnson has already shown that he can operate the offense effectively in preseason action.

Johnson started against Chicago last week and helped the Bengals build a 17-9 halftime lead before Cincinnati pulled away for a 27-9 victory.

Philadelphia’s quarterback situation is less predictable.

Andy Dalton started the Eagles’ Week 2 game against New England but struggled significantly, completing only 3-of-10 passes for 44 yards.

Tanner McKee was much better after taking over.

McKee completed 16-of-22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

That creates a fascinating situation for bettors because McKee has demonstrated that he can produce, but his playing time in the preseason finale remains important.

Cincinnati’s 2-0 preseason record also provides a major advantage over Philadelphia’s 0-2 record.

The Bengals have won both games outright and demonstrated that their depth can perform when the starters aren’t involved.

Philadelphia has lost both preseason games.

The total has also moved substantially, dropping from 38.5 to 36.5, indicating that the market expects a low-scoring game with both starting quarterbacks sitting.

That makes the spread even more important.

Getting Cincinnati +2.5 provides protection in a game where every possession should matter.

Best Bet: Cincinnati Bengals +2.5

Secondary Lean: Under 36.5

Table of Contents

Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction

Bengals vs Eagles Odds

What Is the Point Spread in NFL Betting?

Bengals vs Eagles Same Game Parlay

Bengals vs Eagles Player Props

Joe Burrow’s Status

Jalen Hurts’ Status

Josh Johnson’s Preseason Performance

Andy Dalton’s Preseason Performance

Tanner McKee’s Preseason Performance

Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Record

Philadelphia Eagles Preseason Record

Why the Total Dropped

Bengals vs Eagles Follow-Up Questions

Bengals vs Eagles FAQ

Final Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction

Bengals vs Eagles Odds

The current Bengals vs Eagles odds make Philadelphia a 2.5-point home favorite.

The total has moved significantly since opening.

Philadelphia initially opened around -2.5, while the total opened at 38.5.

The spread has remained relatively stable, but the total has dropped to approximately 36.5.

Betting Market | Current Number
Philadelphia Eagles | -2.5
Cincinnati Bengals | +2.5
Game Total | 36.5
Favorite | Philadelphia Eagles
Location | Lincoln Financial Field
Kickoff | 8:00 PM ET
Date | Friday, August 28, 2026
Recommended Side | Cincinnati Bengals +2.5

The two-point decline in the total is particularly noteworthy.

A move from 38.5 to 36.5 suggests that bettors and bookmakers have adjusted expectations for offensive production downward.

That’s logical considering Burrow and Hurts are both sitting.

But the lower total also makes Cincinnati +2.5 more valuable because a lower-scoring game generally increases the importance of each point.

A three-point Cincinnati loss would still result in a failed +2.5 wager, but the Bengals’ ability to remain within one score makes the points attractive.

What Is the Point Spread in NFL Betting?

The NFL point spread is the number of points added to the underdog’s score or subtracted from the favorite’s score to determine whether a wager covers.

With Philadelphia at -2.5, the Eagles need to win by at least three points for an Eagles -2.5 wager to cash.

Cincinnati +2.5 covers if the Bengals win outright or lose by two points or fewer.

Bengals vs Eagles Same Game Parlay

A Bengals vs Eagles same game parlay should begin with the expectation that this will be a relatively low-scoring contest.

Potential selections include:

Cincinnati Bengals +2.5

Under 36.5 points

A Cincinnati quarterback passing Under

A Philadelphia quarterback passing Under

Select defensive player props based on confirmed snap counts

The combination of Cincinnati +2.5 and Under 36.5 is attractive because it reflects the most likely game script.

If neither starting quarterback plays, sustained offensive drives become more difficult.

Cincinnati has already demonstrated that Josh Johnson can produce enough offense to win a preseason game.

Philadelphia’s offense has been much less consistent.

The major risk with an Under parlay is Tanner McKee.

McKee was extremely efficient in Week 2, completing 16 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

If Sirianni gives McKee extended playing time, Philadelphia could exceed expectations.

That’s why quarterback rotation should be confirmed before building a larger same game parlay.

Bengals vs Eagles Player Props

The Bengals vs Eagles player props market should be approached differently than regular-season props.

Playing time is often more important than talent.

Josh Johnson Player Props

Josh Johnson is the most interesting quarterback for Cincinnati.

The veteran has extensive NFL experience and already demonstrated his ability to operate Cincinnati’s offense in preseason.

His Week 2 performance helped the Bengals defeat Chicago 27-9.

If Johnson receives substantial playing time Friday, his passing props could become attractive.

However, preseason quarterback props should always be compared against expected series rather than assuming a full-game workload.

Andy Dalton Player Props

Andy Dalton struggled in his most recent preseason appearance.

Against New England, Dalton completed only 3-of-10 passes for 44 yards.

That performance makes his passing props difficult to trust without knowing his expected workload.

If Sirianni again gives Dalton significant first-half action, the Bengals’ defense could have an opportunity to pressure him into another inefficient performance.

Tanner McKee Player Props

Tanner McKee is the wildcard.

His Week 2 numbers were impressive:

16 completions

22 attempts

173 passing yards

2 touchdowns

That’s an excellent 72.7% completion rate.

The problem is predicting how many opportunities he’ll receive.

If McKee enters late, his yardage ceiling is naturally limited.

If he plays multiple quarters, his props become much more interesting.

Joe Burrow’s Status

Joe Burrow will not play in Friday’s preseason finale.

Zac Taylor has confirmed that Cincinnati will protect its starting quarterback.

That decision is unsurprising.

Burrow is the centerpiece of the Bengals’ regular-season offense, and preseason snaps provide little benefit compared with the injury risk.

But Burrow’s absence does not automatically make Philadelphia the right side.

The Bengals have already demonstrated that their backup offense can perform.

Josh Johnson’s experience becomes particularly valuable in a preseason game where both starting quarterbacks are absent.

Jalen Hurts’ Status

Jalen Hurts will also remain sidelined.

Nick Sirianni has not used Hurts during the preseason, instead protecting his starting quarterback while emphasizing joint practices and preparation.

That means Philadelphia has not received live-game preseason reps from its starting quarterback.

The Eagles’ offense therefore depends heavily on Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee.

The contrast with Cincinnati is important.

The Bengals have already used Josh Johnson in game action and watched him successfully lead the offense.

Philadelphia is still determining exactly how its backup quarterback rotation will operate.

That uncertainty gives Cincinnati an advantage.

Josh Johnson’s Preseason Performance

Josh Johnson is the biggest reason to like Cincinnati +2.5.

The veteran quarterback started against Chicago and helped Cincinnati build an early lead.

The Bengals led 17-9 at halftime before finishing with a dominant 27-9 victory.

Johnson’s experience matters because preseason games are often chaotic.

Backup offensive lines are constantly changing.

Receivers have varying levels of familiarity with the quarterback.

Defenses use different personnel combinations.

An experienced quarterback who can quickly process defensive looks has an advantage.

Johnson has spent years in the NFL.

He has seen virtually every defensive structure imaginable.

That experience is valuable in precisely this type of game.

Andy Dalton’s Preseason Performance

Andy Dalton’s Week 2 performance was the opposite of what Cincinnati bettors want to see from Philadelphia.

Dalton went only 3-for-10 for 44 yards.

That is an extremely inefficient performance, especially against a defense that was also using backup players.

The problem for Philadelphia is that Dalton could again receive meaningful playing time Friday.

If that happens, Cincinnati has an opportunity to exploit the matchup.

The Bengals don’t need their offense to score 30 points.

They simply need to stay competitive against an Eagles offense that has struggled to generate consistent production.

Dalton’s recent performance suggests that Philadelphia could have difficulty accomplishing that.

Tanner McKee’s Preseason Performance

Tanner McKee is the biggest counterargument to the Bengals side.

McKee was excellent against New England.

He completed 16 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

His performance provided Philadelphia with an offensive spark after Dalton struggled.

McKee’s emergence is important because it prevents this from being a simple quarterback mismatch.

Philadelphia has a legitimate backup option.

However, preseason betting is heavily influenced by usage.

If McKee plays only a portion of the game, his ability to score points doesn’t necessarily translate into a full-game offensive advantage.

Cincinnati’s Josh Johnson could have already accumulated meaningful production by the time McKee enters.

That is why the Bengals remain the preferred side.

Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Record

Cincinnati enters the finale at 2-0.

The Bengals’ most recent game was particularly impressive.

They defeated Chicago 27-9 and covered as 3.5-point home underdogs.

That performance demonstrated that Cincinnati’s depth can compete against an opponent’s second and third units.

The Bengals have also shown improvement offensively.

A 27-point performance in the second preseason game is exactly the kind of result bettors want to see when evaluating a team without its starting quarterback.

The Bengals don’t need Burrow to dominate Philadelphia.

They need their backup rotation to outperform the Eagles’ backup rotation.

The evidence from the first two weeks suggests that they can.

Philadelphia Eagles Preseason Record

Philadelphia enters Friday at 0-2.

The Eagles’ most recent game ended in a 24-21 loss to New England.

That result came despite Philadelphia being favored on the road.

The loss highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the Eagles’ backup quarterback situation.

Dalton struggled.

McKee played well.

The overall offense still couldn’t produce enough to win.

Philadelphia therefore enters the finale without a preseason victory and with questions surrounding how the quarterback rotation will be distributed.

That makes it difficult to justify laying 2.5 points against a Cincinnati team that has won both of its preseason games.

Why Did the Bengals vs Eagles Total Drop?

The Bengals vs Eagles total moved from approximately 38.5 to 36.5 points.

The primary reason is the quarterback situation.

Neither Joe Burrow nor Jalen Hurts will play.

That removes two of the most important offensive players from the matchup.

Both teams will instead depend on backup quarterbacks.

The preseason scoring numbers also support the downward adjustment.

Cincinnati has been productive enough to win, but Philadelphia has struggled to sustain offensive consistency.

The total therefore reflects an expectation of fewer explosive plays and more stalled drives.

A score such as 20-16 Cincinnati would comfortably stay below 36.5.

So would 17-13, 20-14 or 16-14.

The Under is therefore a legitimate secondary wager.

Bengals vs Eagles Follow-Up Questions

Who Is Favored in Bengals vs Eagles?

The Philadelphia Eagles are 2.5-point home favorites.

What Is the Bengals vs Eagles Total?

The total is approximately 36.5 points.

Is Joe Burrow Playing?

No. Burrow is expected to sit out the preseason finale.

Is Jalen Hurts Playing?

No. Hurts will also sit out.

Who Is Cincinnati’s Backup Quarterback?

Josh Johnson is expected to handle significant quarterback responsibilities for Cincinnati.

Who Is Philadelphia’s Backup Quarterback?

Andy Dalton is the presumed second-string quarterback, while Tanner McKee has also received significant preseason work.

Who Played Better Last Week?

Cincinnati’s offense performed substantially better, beating Chicago 27-9.

Why Did the Total Move?

The total dropped from 38.5 to 36.5 amid expectations of a backup-heavy game with both starting quarterbacks sitting.

Is Cincinnati +2.5 a Good Bet?

Yes. Cincinnati has the better preseason record and more convincing backup-quarterback performance.

What Is the Bengals vs Eagles Prediction?

The prediction is Cincinnati Bengals +2.5.

Bengals vs Eagles FAQ

1. Who will win Bengals vs Eagles?

The Cincinnati Bengals are the preferred side despite Philadelphia being a 2.5-point home favorite.

2. What is the Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction?

The Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction favors Cincinnati +2.5 because the Bengals have performed better during the preseason and have the more reliable veteran backup quarterback situation.

3. What is the Bengals vs Eagles spread?

Philadelphia is currently a 2.5-point favorite.

4. What is the Bengals vs Eagles over/under?

The total is approximately 36.5 points, down from an opening number of 38.5.

5. Is Joe Burrow playing against Philadelphia?

No. Burrow will not play in the preseason finale.

6. Is Jalen Hurts playing against Cincinnati?

No. Hurts will also sit out Friday night.

7. Who is Cincinnati’s quarterback?

Josh Johnson is expected to lead the Bengals’ backup quarterback rotation.

8. Can Tanner McKee make a difference for Philadelphia?

Yes. McKee was excellent in Week 2, throwing for 173 yards and two touchdowns, but his impact depends on how much playing time he receives.

9. Should you bet the Under 36.5?

The Under is a reasonable secondary play because both starting quarterbacks are sitting and the total has already dropped two points.

10. What is the best bet for Bengals vs Eagles?

The best bet is Cincinnati Bengals +2.5.

Final Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction

The Bengals vs Eagles Preseason Betting Prediction comes down to backup quarterback quality.

Joe Burrow isn’t playing.

Jalen Hurts isn’t playing.

So don’t handicap this game as if either team’s regular-season offense is going to be on the field.

Handicap the backups.

That’s where Cincinnati has the advantage.

The Bengals enter Friday night 2-0, while Philadelphia is 0-2.

Cincinnati just demolished Chicago 27-9, with Josh Johnson helping the offense establish a 17-9 halftime advantage.

Philadelphia’s most recent performance was much less convincing.

The Eagles lost 24-21 to New England, with Andy Dalton struggling badly before Tanner McKee provided a significant offensive spark.

Dalton went just 3-of-10 for 44 yards.

McKee was 16-of-22 for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

McKee’s performance is the biggest reason not to overstate Cincinnati’s advantage.

Philadelphia has a capable young quarterback who has already demonstrated that he can produce.

But playing time matters.

If Dalton receives the majority of the early workload, Philadelphia could spend a significant portion of the game trying to overcome another inefficient performance before McKee takes over.

Cincinnati’s Josh Johnson, meanwhile, brings 14 years of NFL experience to the matchup.

That’s valuable in a preseason finale where offensive line combinations, receivers and defensive personnel are constantly changing.

The market has also made its opinion clear on the total.

The number has dropped from 38.5 to 36.5, indicating expectations for a lower-scoring game.

That’s reasonable.

Both starting quarterbacks are sitting.

Neither offense has been consistently explosive.

And every possession becomes more valuable when the expected scoring environment falls.

The Under is worth consideration at 36.5, but the side remains the stronger play.

Philadelphia is asking bettors to lay 2.5 points despite entering the game 0-2.

Cincinnati is getting points despite entering 2-0 and coming off a 27-9 victory.

That’s the value.

The Eagles may have home-field advantage, but the Bengals have the more convincing preseason profile.

The Pick: Cincinnati Bengals +2.5

Best Bet: Cincinnati Bengals +2.5

Secondary Bet: Under 36.5

Prediction: Cincinnati stays within the number and has a legitimate chance to win outright.