Hall of Fame Game Best Bets: Lions vs. Chargers Prediction & Odds

The first game of the NFL preseason kicks off Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers.

The game doesn’t normally showcase star players, but the beginning of football season is to be celebrated.

Last season’s game finished over the total of 32.5 as the Chicago Bears held off the Houston Texans, 21–17. It marked the third consecutive Hall of Fame contest to go over the total.

The Lions sit as a 1.5-point favorite at DraftKings, while the total is currently at 32.5. The over is juiced at -125 (bet $125 to win $100), and the under is +105.

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff and Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert both won’t suit up, which is no surprise.

The Lions plan to start former University of Tennessee standout Hendon Hooker at quarterback, while Trey Lance will begin the game under center for the Chargers.

After Hooker gets work with the Detroit offense, former Texas A&M signal-caller Kyle Allen will also see time for the Lions.

Lance, the third selection of the 2021 NFL Draft by the 49ers, is hoping a third time is a charm following unsuccessful stints in San Francisco and Dallas.

Former Clemson and Florida State quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is expected to play the second half for L.A. in his NFL debut.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh enters his second season with the Chargers, as L.A. went 1–2 in the preseason in 2024. The Chargers didn’t score a touchdown in the first two games before busting out for 26 points in a victory over the Cowboys.

The Lions have lost three of four preseason openers under head coach Dan Campbell, with the lone victory coming in 2023 at home against the Giants.

For our best bets, we’ll go the contrarian route on both the side and total.

In the last Hall of Fame Games, the teams combined for 38, 37, and 38 points, so the total wasn’t completely obliterated.

The Chargers didn’t do much offensively in the first two preseason games last season and have two unproven quarterbacks battling it out. Yes, Lance has made five starts in four seasons, but never lived up to the hype of a third overall pick.

The Lions don’t have better quarterbacks, but more experienced quarterbacks, as Hooker saw time in three regular-season games in 2024 and Allen has 19 starts under his belt.

When it’s all said and done, we’ll back Detroit as a short favorite and take under 32.5 points to kick off the 2025 NFL season.