Finally, for millions of NFL fans, there is light at the end of the tunnel. On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Chargers will face the Detroit Lions in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game from Canton, OH. Accordingly, this could be a Super Bowl preview with the NFL Odds. Both teams are coming off playoff seasons and are facing higher expectations this season. With Jim Harbaugh (LA) and Dan Campbell (Detroit) is a great coaching matchup for gamblers. However, this game is more about evaluating talent and protecting key players for the regular season.
2025 Hall of Fame Game: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Detroit Lions
| Date and Time: | Thursday, July 31, 2025, 8 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | +1 -110 | 33 -110 | -105 |  |
| Lions | -1 -110 | 33 -110 | -115 | |
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2025 Hall of Fame Game Overview
Specifically, the NFL Hall of Fame Game is one of the few traditions of the preseason. Each year in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the NFL preseason kicks off with its first game. Correlate that it is in conjunction with the Hall of Fame inductions for that year. This year, Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharp will receive their coveted gold jackets as new inductees.
Although it is an exhibition game with numerous substitutions and players who are largely unknown, the Hall of Fame Game consistently generates strong TV viewership. Consider that the best evidence of its value is that NBC will televise it in prime time, as usual.
For the 2025 Edition of the Hall of Fame Game, the Los Angeles Chargers meet the Detroit Lions. Both teams made the 2024 NFL Playoffs and are expected to do so again this season. Still, both teams are expected to bring a large number of backups and prospects to the field.
Thankfully, the NFL preseason has been reduced to three games per team in most cases. Regardless, the first week of preseason football is the most challenging handicap. Fans and gamblers cannot have reliable lineup information. Teams will often play rookies and/or inexperienced second—or third-string players and free agents. Thus, the lineups have no resemblance to what will be seen in the regular season.
For established playoff-caliber teams like the Lions and Chargers, the ultimate objective of the preseason is to avoid serious injuries to key players. Hence, the established powers will focus on finding role players and filling out the bottom of the roster.
On the other hand, perennial sports betting losers or teams with new quarterbacks will invest more in the preseason. Many sharps love the preseason thanks to in-game live betting. Wise Guys will track the lineups on a play-by-play basis, looking for an advantage to leap into action immediately. Gamblers should exercise prudence due to the rapid pace of lineup changes, etc.
Chargers vs. Lions SBG Free Picks
Overall, the Chargers beat the NFL Betting odds in only three of their most recent ten matchups. Only one of their last four exhibition games went over the total. Meanwhile, the Lions covered four of their most recent six preseason games. Four of those six games went over the total.
In addition to superior preseason trends, the Lions will have the vast majority of fans on hand. The trip from Detroit to Canton, Ohio, is more manageable than the one from Los Angeles. The Chargers have no incentive whatsoever for this game, except to escape without major injuries.
Chargers vs. Lions SBG Best Bets: Detroit Lions.