Folks, get ready for a Saturday afternoon showdown that’s gonna bring the heat to Paycor Stadium like a Cincinnati chili cook-off! It’s the Indianapolis Colts takin’ on the Cincinnati Bengals in the “I-74 Bowl,” August 23, 2025, kickin’ off at 1:00 p.m. ET on the Bengals Preseason TV Network and streamin’ on Bengals.com in-market or NFL+ nationwide. Both teams are sittin’ at 1-1, with the Colts comin’ off a win over Green Bay and a loss to Baltimore, while the Bengals are lookin’ to build on a win against Washington after a Week 1 loss to Philly. This ain’t about the stars – Joe Burrow, Anthony Richardson, and the big names are likely watchin’ from the sideline – it’s about those bubble guys, the roster hopefuls, scrappin’ for a spot on that 53-man squad. Boom! That’s the pulse of this preseason finale – pure hustle, big plays, and a few surprises that could echo into the regular season. Let’s break it down like we’re callin’ it from the booth, with that Troy Aikman precision and John Madden passion.
Colts’ Side: Indy’s Depth on Display
The Colts are rollin’ into Cincy with that Shane Steichen swagger, lookin’ to fine-tune the machine before the regular season kicks off against Miami on September 7. They dropped a tight 24-16 game to the Ravens in Week 1, where the backups showed grit but couldn’t close it out. Last week’s 21-13 win over Green Bay was a different story – rookie RB DJ Giddens ran for 55 yards, and QB Riley Leonard went 9-for-15 for 112 yards and a score. With Daniel Jones locked in as the Week 1 starter and Richardson likely sittin’ to stay fresh, expect Leonard and Jason Bean to handle most of the QB reps, battlin’ for that third-string spot.
What’s got me fired up is the receiver and defensive line battles. At wideout, Laquon Treadwell and rookie Ajou Ajou are fightin’ for depth roles behind Michael Pittman Jr. – Treadwell’s five catches for 62 yards last week turned heads. The O-line’s dealin’ with injuries to Josh Downs (hamstring, questionable) and Alec Pierce (groin, doubtful), so backups like Marcellus Johnson are gettin’ big snaps. Defensively, Indy’s front is a strength, with 51 sacks in 2024, but they’re lookin’ to boost their pressure rate. Guys like Adetomiwa Adebawore and rookie JT Tuimoloau are huntin’ for sacks to lock in roster spots. Special teams could be huge – rookie Anthony Gould’s punt returns have been shaky, and a big play might save his spot. After that Green Bay win, the Colts are motivated to end preseason strong, especially after a productive joint practice with the Bengals earlier this week where they got after Burrow in drills.
Bengals’ Side: Cincy’s Fight for Roster Clarity
The Bengals are lookin’ to keep the good vibes goin’ at home under Zac Taylor. They got outplayed in Week 1, losin’ 34-27 to Philly, where Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase started fast but the defense gave up big plays. Last week’s 31-17 win over Washington was a bounce-back – backup QB Logan Woodside went 16-for-25 for 174 yards, though he threw two picks, and rookie LB Maema Njongmeta led with eight tackles. With Burrow, Chase, and most starters likely restin’, it’s Woodside, Rocky Lombardi, and maybe Desmond Ridder slingin’ it, fightin’ for the QB2 job behind Jake Browning, who’s nursin’ a rib injury.
The battles to watch are at linebacker and running back. Njongmeta’s been a preseason stud, rackin’ up 17 tackles across two games, and he’s pushin’ for a roster spot alongside guys like Akeem Davis-Gaither. At RB, Trayveon Williams left for Baltimore, so Chris Evans and rookie Kendall Milton are scrappin’ for carries behind Zack Moss. The defense has been shaky, allowin’ 5.5 yards per play, but Jordan Battle’s pick-six against Indy last year shows their playmakin’ potential. No major injuries, but DE Myles Murphy’s recent scare (he’s expected back soon) means guys like Joseph Ossai get more reps. Special teams is key – Evan McPherson’s been money, but punt coverage needs work after a long return allowed last week. With the home crowd at Paycor bringin’ energy, the Bengals are desperate to hit 2-1 and avoid carryin’ a loss into their Week 1 trip to Cleveland.
Key Matchups and Game-Changing Factors
Boom! This game’s gonna be a war of depth and desperation. The Colts’ defensive front versus Cincy’s backup O-line is a big one – if Adebawore or Tuimoloau get loose, they could rattle Woodside into mistakes. On the flip side, the Bengals’ secondary against Indy’s backup QBs – Battle and the DBs are hungry for picks, and Leonard’s gotta be sharp to avoid ‘em. The run game could decide it; if Giddens or Milton break loose, they’ll control the clock and keep the other side’s offense off the field.
Weather in Cincinnati looks like a typical August day – mid-80s, humid, with a chance of showers that could make the ball slick late. The Paycor crowd will bring some noise, but it’s nothin’ like a regular-season game, so Indy’s backups should handle it. With roster cuts due Tuesday, every snap’s a job interview – expect high effort but maybe some penalties from overzealous rookies. A historical note: last year’s 27-14 Colts win over Cincy in the preseason finale saw Battle’s pick-six off Richardson, but Indy’s starters played longer and pulled away. This time, with both teams leanin’ on depth, it’s a fresh battle. The joint practice Tuesday, where Indy’s D-line got the better of Cincy’s line, might give the Colts a mental edge, but Taylor’s crew is motivated to protect their home turf.
Final Prediction
Alright, straight from the gut: The Colts’ defensive depth and momentum from their Green Bay win give ‘em the edge, even on the road. I’m callin’ Indy to pull out a 24-20 win, coverin’ the spread in a tight one decided by a late defensive stop.
3 Best Bets
- Colts Moneyline (+130): Indy’s 1-1 with a strong defensive front and showed pop against Green Bay. They’re a live underdog to steal a road win.
- Under 36.5 Total Points (-110): Both teams are playin’ backups, and Cincy’s offense has struggled to score. Expect a low-scorin’ grind with defensive stands.
- Colts +2.5 (-108): Indy’s depth and joint practice edge keep it close, coverin’ the spread even if they don’t win outright.
For more NFL picks and previews, check out my NFL predictions.
