The wait is over, football fans! The NFL is back. The yearly NFL Hall of Fame Game will take place Thursday night, July 31st, in Canton, Ohio. Can you even call yourself a degen if you aren’t betting on the first NFL action of the season? I think not! Let’s dive in and take a look at the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game preview and best bets.
The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions are this year’s Hall of Fame Game teams. A battle of two hard-nosed coaches who don’t know when to quit. Both Jim Harbaugh and Dan Campbell should be entertaining in and of themselves, and that should keep it exciting. It looks like it’ll be a battle of Trey Lance (Chargers) vs Henson Hooker (Lions) as the starters at quarterback. This is one of the more intriguing quarterback matchups, maybe ever in the HOF game.
Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET Thursday, July 31st, from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The stadium is located just next door to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The game will air on NBC and also be available to stream on Peacock.
2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game Underdog Fantasy Picks
2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game Preview and Best Bets
Los Angeles Chargers (+1.5) vs Detroit Lions (-1.5)
Jim Harbaugh is 11-8 straight up in preseason games going back to his time with the San Francisco 49ers, and coincidentally, he’s also 11-8 against the spread in preseason games. Dan Campbell is just a little behind Harbaugh at 5-7 SU and 6-6 ATS.
You never know exactly what you are going to see from either team when it comes to preseason games, and even more so, the Hall of Fame Game. Who plays, for how long, and what the coaches will be coaching for. For me I feel like the Lions are established as a great team and Dan Campbell likes to have some fun. I don’t think he’ll be as serious as Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh is still trying to establish this team as a great one, and he’s looking up at his brother’s legendary preseason record.
On top of that, I expect Trey Lance to ball out. The former third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has never really had a chance to prove himself. Last time out in the preseason, he was embarrassed, throwing five interceptions. He did make a start in Week 18 against the Commanders in a game in which he looked good. His chances to show off are limited, and I expect him to take advantage this week.
Between Harbaugh, Lance, and the fact that they are the underdogs, give me the Chargers to get it done Thursday night.
Pick: Chargers +1.5 (-115)
Over/Under 32.5
The last two seasons have delivered games that easily went over 32.5 points scored. The Jets and Browns put up 37 points in 2024, while the Raiders and Jaguars combined for 38 in 2023. There have been a few cancelled games in recent years, but four of the last six Hall of Fame Games have also gone over this number, with the 2019 and 2021 games being the exceptions.
On top of that, these were two highly efficient offensive schemes last year; the Lions led the league in points scored, and the Chargers weren’t far behind, ranking 11th in total points scored. I’ll ride with the recent trends of points scored in this game, two coaches who will be going for it, and two competent quarterbacks starting this game off.
Pick: Over 32.5 (-115)
Los Angeles Chargers 2+ Rushing Touchdowns (+280)
When it comes to prop bets for this Hall of Fame Game, this one jumps off the page to me. I’m all in on Trey Lance doing his thing on the ground in this game. He alone could hit this number for us, with a big scramble or two. Rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton is set to play in this game as well. How long he plays is to be seen. But I expect Jim Harbaugh, who loves to run the ball, to play with his new toy, Hampton, plenty while he is in there. I’m also going to ladder this to 3+ rushing touchdowns at +920.
