The second week of the 2026 NFL preseason features an anticipated matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals. Football enthusiasts can tune in to catch all the excitement as these two teams clash on the field. This article serves as a complete guide, offering details on broadcast times, television channels, and streaming platforms to ensure fans don't miss a single moment of the game. Additionally, it provides an overview of other NFL preseason fixtures scheduled for the week, along with the previous season's performance records for both teams involved in this encounter.
The Cincinnati Bengals will host the Chicago Bears at Paycor Stadium for their Week 2 preseason game. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Fans eager to watch the game live will find various viewing options available across different regions. Locally, in Ohio, the game will be broadcast on WXIX FOX19 in Cincinnati, WSYX ABC6 in Columbus, WKEF FOX45 in Dayton, and WLIO FOX 8.2 in Lima. For Kentucky residents, WLEX LEX18 in Lexington and WDRB FOX41 (CW58.1) in Louisville will carry the game. Meanwhile, Chicago-area viewers in Illinois can catch the action on WFLD FOX32.
Beyond traditional television broadcasts, a range of digital platforms offers streaming access to the game. NFL+ is a dedicated service where fans can stream the Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals matchup live. The NFL+ application is readily available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, making it convenient for mobile and tablet users. Furthermore, Fubo also offers comprehensive NFL coverage, including this preseason game, often with trial options for new subscribers. These diverse viewing avenues ensure that fans across different locations and preferences can experience the game live.
Looking back at the previous season, the Chicago Bears concluded the 2025 NFL regular season with a commendable record of 11 wins and 6 losses. In contrast, the Cincinnati Bengals finished their 2025 campaign with a record of 6 wins and 11 losses. These past performances set the stage for intriguing narratives as both teams aim to refine their strategies and evaluate their rosters during the preseason. The game is not just an opportunity for fans to see their favorite teams in action, but also a crucial preparatory phase for the franchises ahead of the regular season.
In addition to the Bengals-Bears game, Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason features a full slate of games from Thursday, August 20, to Sunday, August 23. Notable matchups on Thursday include the Las Vegas Raiders against the Houston Texans and the San Francisco 49ers facing the Los Angeles Chargers. Friday's schedule highlights games such as the New York Jets versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Carolina Panthers against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Green Bay Packers battling the Denver Broncos. Saturday's extensive lineup includes games like the Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots, and Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals. The week concludes on Sunday with the Seattle Seahawks taking on the Tennessee Titans. This packed schedule offers a wide array of choices for football fans to enjoy the preseason action.
The second week of the 2026 NFL preseason presents a full schedule of games, culminating in the anticipated clash between the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals. This matchup, airing at 7:00 PM ET on Saturday, August 22, 2026, will be accessible via various local television networks across Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois. For those who prefer digital viewing, streaming services like NFL+ and Fubo provide convenient options to catch the game live. Alongside this featured contest, the preseason calendar is filled with numerous other matchups, offering fans abundant opportunities to follow their favorite teams as they prepare for the upcoming regular season, with details on each team's 2025 record providing context for their current aspirations.
