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NFL Hall of Fame Game Odds and Prediction

The latest NFL Hall of Fame Game odds are fans’ first chance to wager on a game since Super Bowl 59. This Thursday’s matchup between the Lions and Chargers features two playoff teams and a matchup between two of the league’s most well-respected head coaches.

This guide highlights the best ways to bet on the Hall of Fame Game 2025. I will cover the current odds and provide my predictions for the first preseason game.

Hall of Fame Game 2025 Details

NFL betting sites and football fans across the globe are preparing for the start of the 2025 season. It all begins with the annual kickoff of the preseason, the Hall of Fame Game. 

• Hall of Fame Game date: Thursday, July 31st
• Hall of Fame Game time: 8:00 PM E.T.
• Hall of Fame Game location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio

This year’s Hall of Fame Game matchup pits the Los Angeles Chargers against the Detroit Lions. Both teams made the playoffs last year, but their seasons ended in disappointment.

In addition to signaling the start of the preseason, the HoF Game precedes Enshrinement Weekend. The 2025 Hall of Fame class, which includes four players, will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 2nd.

NFL Hall of Fame Game Odds

Here are the latest odds for the 2025 Hall of Fame Game, courtesy of Bovada.

Team	Spread	Moneyline	Total
Los Angeles Chargers	+1.0 (-110)	-105	Over 33.0 (+100)
Detroit Lions	-1.0 (-110)	-115	Under 33.0 (-120)

Detroit is a 1.0-point favorite in this year’s HoF game. However, the Chargers, who are the designated visiting team on the neutral field, are only -105 underdogs in Canton.

Bovada lists the total score at over/under 33.0 points. The under is a -120 favorite, while the over is an even-money underdog.

Chargers vs Lions Betting Preview

It is unlikely that any starters will take the field in Canton for this year’s Chargers-Lions matchup. However, there are still exciting betting opportunities for football fans.

Spread

A 1-point spread is challenging to pick in the regular season when starters are playing. It is even more difficult during the preseason because second and third-string players will be taking all the reps.

The Lions are technically the home team. However, with the game taking place in Ohio, and both teams starting backups, Detroit will not benefit from the usual home-field advantage.

On the bright side, betting on a team to cover a 1-point spread is not much different than wagering on them to win. For Lions fans, betting on Detroit to cover the spread at -110 offers slightly better value than picking them outright at -115.

Moneyline

With a 1-point spread, the moneyline is also, unsurprisingly, close to being a pick’em. Detroit (-115) is the slight favorite over LA (-105).

This is the easiest way to bet on the 2025 Hall of Fame Game.  All you must do is pick the winner of Chargers-Lions. If your prediction is correct, you win your wager.

The complex part of this wager is deciding which team’s backups are going to perform the best once the game starts. This game is typically sloppy as teams are still installing their offenses, and their best players are not taking the field.

On the other hand, Jim Harbaugh and Dan Campbell are two of the best motivators in the league. So, whoever is suiting up for the Chargers and Lions will be ready to give it their all.

Total

• Over 33.0 (+100)
• Under 33.0 (-120)

For reference, here is a look at the final scores of the Hall of Fame Game in recent years.

Year	Matchup	Final Score
2024	Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears	Texans 17 – Bears 21
2023	New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns	Jets 16 – Browns 21
2022	Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders	Jaguars 11 – Raiders 27
2021	Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers	Cowboys 3 – Steelers 16
2020	N/A	N/A
2019	Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons	Broncos 14 – Falcons 10

As you can see, three straight HoF Games have gone over 33.0 points. Prior to the relatively high scoring games in recent years, Cowboys-Steelers (2021) and Broncos-Falcons (2019) both failed to reach 25 total points. The 2020 game was canceled due to the pandemic. 

Best Bets for the Hall of Fame Game

Here are my best bets for the Chargers vs. Lions Hall of Fame Game.

Detroit Lions -1.0 (-110)

Even with the usual home-field advantage, four straight “home” teams have secured the win the Hall of Fame Game. Also, the latest time these squads faced off was Week 10 of the 2023 season. The Lions won in a 41-38 shootout.

It is unlikely that anyone who played in that game will suit up on Thursday. However, the Lions gained plenty of experience relying on their backups last year. That should serve them well in the preseason and help them win this game.

Dan Campbell took over as the head coach of the Lions in 2021. Since then, Detroit’s preseason records include:

• 2024: 2-1 record
• 2023: 2-1 record
• 2022: 1-2 record
• 2021: 0-3

Detroit struggled its first two years under Campbell, but he has turned the franchise around. His squads are 4-2 in their last six preseason games.

From a betting standpoint, it is challenging to win by exactly one point in the NFL. So, if the Lions win, they are likely to cover the spread. The -110 odds to cover the spread is also slightly better than Detroit’s -115 moneyline odds. 

Los Angeles Chargers ML (-105)

I believe the Lions will win, but anything can happen in the preseason. With the point-spread set at only a point, the best way to bet on LA securing the upset is the Chargers’ -105 moneyline odds.

Denver was the last “road” team to win the Hall of Fame Game. The Broncos took down Atlanta when they met in 2019.

If LA wants to follow in its AFC West rivals’ footsteps, the Chargers need to be aggressive early and often. The Lions lost their offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason. However, Dan Campbell is still the head coach, and he has been one of the most aggressive coaches in the NFL since taking the helm in Detroit.

The Chargers went 1-2 in the preseason last year, the worst record of Harbaugh’s career in the preseason. When he coached the 49ers, Harbaugh’s preseason records included:

• 2011: 2-2 record
• 2012: 3-1 record
• 2013: 3-1 record
• 2014: 2-2 record

Harbaugh worked his magic in the regular season, adding six wins to the Chargers’ record compared to 2023. Picking up a win over the Lions would be a great way to get LA on the right track to a winning preseason record, too.

Over 33.0 Total Points (+100)

Three consecutive Hall of Fame Games have totaled 37 points or more. Dan Campbell is also an aggressive play-caller who will want to see what his new OC is made of.

Last year, the Lions scored 24 points in two of their three preseason games.

The Chargers were not as successful in the scoring department last year during the preseason. However, year two of the Harbaugh experiment should be better. Also, if Campbell is aggressive about scoring, then Harbaugh has no choice but to be aggressive as well.

Best Sportsbook for NFL Preseason Betting

The preseason helps football players prepare for the start of the regular season. It is a great tool for bettors as well, who have not been able to wager on an NFL game in nearly six months.

You can maximize your value in betting on the Hall of Game by using Bovada. The sportsbook has competitive odds for the upcoming Chargers-Lions game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Bovada also has a top-notch prop builder. This tool is the easiest way to customize your wagers of the 2025 HoF Game. Also, there are great sports betting bonuses, such as an exclusive welcome offer for bettors who use Bitcoin.

Read our Bovada Sportsbook review to learn more about this site.

What Are Your NFL Hall of Fame Game Predictions?

The Lions are a slight betting favorite in the updated NFL Hall of Fame Game odds. Detroit is the home team, and I think the Lions will prevail in the first preseason game of the year.

Read the Hall of Fame Game betting preview above for my full breakdown of this year’s kickoff game in Canton. Then, sign up at Bovada to bet on your HoF Game picks today. New members can claim a 75% crypto match worth up to $750 on their first qualifying deposit.