Hall of Fame Game: Chargers vs. Lions
Football is back! The Hall of Fame Game in Canton, OH is on Thursday, July 31 and this year we get treated to Chargers vs. Lions. These are two very intriguing teams for the season, though we’re not going to see much, if anything, from the starters in this one. Still, it is an NFL game that we can bet on and the start of the preseason.
Backups, rookies, and guys you may or may not have heard of will decide how this one plays out, especially in the fourth quarter. Many believe that betting on the NFL Preseason is a crapshoot, but the coaches are pretty forthcoming about their plans and that can provide something of an edge, including some first quarter and first half betting angles. Pay attention to the beat writers and the interviews with coaches as the preseason goes along.
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NFL Hall of Fame Game: Chargers vs. Lions Odds
Spread: Chargers +1 (-115) // Lions -1 (-105)
Moneyline: Chargers -108 // Lions -112
Total: 32.5 (-110/-110)
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of July 28, 12:30 p.m. PT
How to Watch the NFL Hall of Fame Game: Chargers vs. Lions
When: Thursday, July 31 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH
Network: NBC/Peacock
Chargers vs. Lions Preview
Neither team will enter the season with a lot of questions as to who will start on both sides of the ball, barring injuries, of course. But, there are a lot of roster spots available beyond the 22 guys that will be in the starting lineup. Teams are always in search of good depth and injuries are inevitable in such a violent game, so this extra exhibition game is a big deal for a lot of players.
Usually this game is pretty vanilla. Coaches are trying to get the basics of the playbook down and keep things as simple as possible. Oddsmakers are well aware, as the total sits at 32.5 for this year’s version, which falls right in line with what we’ve seen for the last 15 years or so. Last year’s game was an offensive explosion that ended 21-17 in the third quarter due to bad weather with lightning and heavy rain. The weather forecast looks better for this year’s game.
Historically, the Under has been a good bet in this game, though the last two completed games have gone Over and last year’s game would have been an Over as well.
John Harbaugh is well-known for being a great preseason bet, but his brother Jim has not been quite as successful, though he is 10-6 ATS in the preseason. Dan Campbell is just 3-6-1 ATS in his 10 preseason games.
As far as the personnel in this one, we’re unlikely to see Justin Herbert or Jared Goff, among other starters. Taylor Heinicke, Trey Lance, and DJ Uiagalelei make up the rest of the QB depth chart for the Chargers, while the Lions counter with Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen. Allen was 17-of-23 for 193 yards with a touchdown and a pick in Week 1 of the preseason last year against the Texans as a member of the Steelers.
The Lions took an extended look at Hooker last preseason, as he was 29-of-44 passing for 300 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked five times in the Week 3 game against the Steelers.
Heinicke really struggled last preseason with LA, going just 20-of-44 for 206 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and a couple of sacks. Lance got a ton of run for the Cowboys last year with 113 pass attempts in his three games. He threw five interceptions against the Chargers in Week 3 and took six sacks overall.
Expect the Chargers to go run-heavy here, as they’ve got good depth at the position with first-round pick Omarion Hampton, former Michigan runner Hassan Haskins, and Troy’s all-time leading rusher, Kimani Vidal. That will also give the coaching staff a chance to evaluate the backup linemen with no position battles there as of now. Harbaugh wants to run the rock and likely sets that tone here.
I would anticipate that Detroit is more pass-heavy here under first-year OC John Morton, a branch of the Jon Gruden coaching tree. The Lions are also much thinner at RB with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery unlikely to play, plus Sione Vaki has been dealing with an injury, leaving Craig Reynolds to get a lot of reps. The Lions also have some receivers to evaluate.
With all of that in mind, I’ll take the Lions here. Detroit’s practices have reportedly been extremely physical, to the point where the players have had to be reminded to tone it down a little since they’re beating up their teammates. Expect them to be flying to the ball to stuff the run here. Instead of bothering with the -1 at -105, I’ll just take the moneyline at -112.
Pick: Lions -112
