The 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game marks the traditional start to the football calendar, kicking off the preseason with a matchup in Canton, Ohio. This year’s contest features the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Lions are coming off a strong 15-2 campaign, and the Chargers also finished with a solid mark of 11-6 last year. Both teams are hopeful for deep playoff runs in 2025-26.
Betting the Hall of Fame Game: Odds and Trends
The Lions enter the Hall of Fame Game as slight favorites, hovering around -1 to -1.5 points on most sportsbooks, with the over/under total set between 32.5 and 33.5. Low over/under totals are typical for a preseason opener where starting lineups play limited snaps.
The odds vary slightly by book, but Detroit is generally favored, with NFL moneylines ranging between -110 and -135. The Chargers are around even money or marginally better.
Historically, Hall of Fame Games are unpredictable due, in large part, to unfamiliar lineups and an emphasis on player evaluation over winning at all costs. Since 2013, underdogs have performed well, going 6-4 straight up and 7-2-1 against the spread, in contrast to earlier years when favorites dominated.
However, with so little at stake, these trends should be taken as informative but not predictive.
Totals present another wrinkle. Although the tendency is to expect low-scoring games, recent years have bucked that trend, with the over hitting in three straight games after a long stretch of under wins.
Still, in the last 12 Hall of Fame Games, half have failed to reach even 32.5 points, and none have crossed 40, underscoring how unpredictable scoring can be when backups dominate snaps.
What to Watch: Betting Insights Beyond the Opener
Preseason NFL betting, especially on the Hall of Fame Game, is distinct from wagering on regular-season contests. Most teams rest starters or limit them to a single series, elevating the importance of roster depth.
This is especially true at the quarterback position, where a strong backup can dictate preseason outcomes. Information on which backups are likely to see the most action is invaluable for bettors.
Unlike regular-season games, preseason outcomes carry no standings implications so that motivation can be uneven and coaching priorities can shift midgame.
Given unpredictable rotations and in-game adjustments, live betting offers value as the flow of the game becomes clearer and new quarterback or key backup performances take shape.
With so many variables and vanilla playbooks, preseason games tend to level the playing field, sometimes making slight underdogs or even moneyline fliers an appealing angle.
Looking Ahead: Betting On The Regular NFL Season
The latest batch of NFL futures lists the Baltimore Ravens as the favorite for betting on Super Bowl LX. Other top contenders in the AFC include the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
Over in the NFC, the Lions, 49ers, and Eagles appear poised to make a play for the Conference Championship.