It’s almost time for the one true tradition of the NFL preseason: the Hall of Fame Game. This year’s matchup is a juicy one, as the Los Angeles Chargers face off against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, July 31, at 8:00 PM ET from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

As always, it’s a glorified exhibition game that most starters will skip entirely, but it still draws solid viewership and betting interest. And while it’s a long way from the Super Bowl, it is the first chance to get in on NFL betting action since February. Desperate times call for desperate measures, folks.

With a total set at just 32.5 points, sportsbooks are expecting a low-scoring slugfest. And since it’s early June as of this writing, don’t be shocked if these odds and our NFL picks shift quite a bit once we get clarity on who’s actually suiting up.

When is the NFL Hall Of Fame Game?

The 2025 Hall of Fame Game kicks off Thursday, July 31, at 8:00 PM ET. It marks the official return of NFL football, even if the results don’t count in the standings.

What Channel is the NFL Hall of Fame Game On?

The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and available to stream on Peacock.

2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game Odds

Check out the latest NFL odds for the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game:

It’s a pick’em at most sportsbooks. That’s no surprise for a preseason game where starters will barely see the field, if they do at all.

The total sitting at just 32.5 reflects how conservative these early contests tend to be. For more info, check out our guides to sports betting sites and our top NFL handicappers.

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NFL Hall of Fame Game Betting Trends

Check out the following Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers betting trends:

Detroit Lions Betting Trends

• 2024 Record: 15-2 SU, 11-6 ATS
• Finished as the top seed in the NFC, but were stunned in the playoffs by Jayden Daniels and the Commanders
• Hit the over in 10 of their 18 games, including playoffs
• Fifth appearance in the Hall of Fame Game

Los Angeles Chargers Betting Trends

• 2024 Record: 11-6 SU, 11-6 ATS
• Secured a wild card spot, but lost in Round 1 to the Texans
• .500 record (9-9) over/under last season
• Fourth all-time Hall of Fame Game appearance

NFL Hall Of Fame Game Matchup

The Lions and Chargers are deadlocked 5-5 in their all-time series, with Detroit taking the last meeting in 2023. Both teams haven’t seen Hall of Fame Game action in years. The Lions last appeared in the HOF game during the summer of 1991. That year, Detroit beat the Denver Broncos 14-3. The Chargers last played a HOF game in 1994, where they lost to the Falcons 21-17.

NFL Hall of Fame Game Predictions

Let’s take a closer look at these two NFL Teams and make some early predictions for the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game:

Detroit Lions HOF Game Outlook

The Detroit Lions were one of the NFL’s best teams last season, going 15-2 before getting upset in the postseason by the Washington Commanders. They return much of their core and added dynamic rookie WR Zachariah Branch and former Cleveland Browns standout linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the offseason.

Detroit will enter the season with lofty hopes after failing in its quest for an elusive NFC championship last season. Frankly, Detroit would benefit immensely from better injury luck, particularly on defense next season. Star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson will return after missing most of last season. He was well on his way to earning Defensive Player of the Year honors before going down, so his presence up front will be a major boon to a defense that swooned in a big way in the latter stages of 2024.

They had to duke it out with the Minnesota Vikings last season, but most expect Detroit to breeze its way to another NFC North title in 2025.

Of course, most of that goes out the window when we’re talking about a preseason game. It’s fair to assume the Lions will run their usual creative offense, but preseason games tend to be low-scoring. Detroit mustered all of 3 points in last year’s preseason-opening loss to the New York Giants. Nate Sudfeld got most of the work under center, while Hendon Hooker played mop-up duty. Hooker will likely start this game with Kyle Allen serving as the backup, assuming Jared Goff and the rest of the starters get the night off.

Los Angeles Chargers HOF Game Outlook

The Los Angeles Chargers found success in Jim Harbaugh’s first season, finishing 11-6 and punching a playoff ticket via a Wild Card spot. Despite being a trendy pick to make a run to the AFC Championship, Los Angeles was promptly ousted from the playoffs by the Houston Texans, but this seems to be a franchise on the rise.

Justin Herbert is still entrenched as the starter, but Harbaugh has always preferred a run-first approach. LA found some success early in the season in that regard, but they got more pass-heavy as the season progressed. Rookie Ladd McConkey quickly established himself as Herbert’s new favorite target, but the Bolts will need more balance offensively if they’re going to seriously push the Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC West in 2025.

They worked to address the backfield this offseason by signing veteran Najee Harris away from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harris has been a bit of a disappointment since the Steelers took him with a first-round pick out of Alabama, but he’s quietly topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first 4 NFL seasons. The Chargers – unbelievably – haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Melvin Gordon back in 2017. Despite a run-first style, the Chargers were also below average in terms of yards per carry in ’24. LA also added former North Carolina standout Omarion Hampton in the draft, so the running game should be much improved this year.

The Chargers were 2-3 in the preseason last year. They mustered all of 12 total points in their first 2 games, and they didn’t even find the end zone until game 3. Longtime backup Easton Stick is now in Atlanta, which means Taylor Heinicke, Trey Lance, and DJ Uiagalelei will presumably handle the snaps in this game.

Who Wins The NFL HOF Game: Lions or Chargers?

It’s a preseason game, and it’s a pick’em. Good luck figuring that out. The Lions would be heavily favored if this were a regular-season game, but that doesn’t do us much good.

The Chargers are a generally younger team that could put more focus on making a statement in the preseason. I’d take the Chargers were I betting on the outcome of this game, but I also like the under on 32.5 points. The QBs in this game will leave a lot to be desired.

Bet: Los Angeles Chargers (-110), Under 32.5 (-110)

Best Bets For The NFL Hall of Fame Game

• Under 32.5 (-120)

Seven of the last nine Hall of Fame Games have gone under the total. Between conservative coaching and backup-heavy lineups, this is the safest bet on the board, even with the number sitting so low.

NFL Hall of Fame Game Appearances

The following is a list of every NFL team that has played in an NFL Hall of Fame game: