NFL Preseason Begins July 31 with Lions vs. Chargers in Hall of Fame Game: Early Odds and What They Tell Us

The NFL’s long-awaited return begins on July 31 with the Hall of Fame Game, a tradition-rich contest that marks the official kickoff of the preseason calendar. This year, the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers are the featured teams, meeting in Canton, Ohio, under the lights of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Though the game itself is an exhibition, carrying no bearing on the regular season standings, it represents much more: a symbolic reawakening of football after months of speculation, strategy, and roster shuffling. It’s the first tangible opportunity for fans, coaches, and oddsmakers to evaluate new lineups, coaching directions, and how teams are shaping up ahead of the 2025 regular season.

The Hall of Fame Game is always played in conjunction with the induction of a new class into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, making it one of the most celebrated events on the NFL calendar. But beyond the pageantry and ceremonial moments, the game offers a crucial early look at players fighting to make the roster, rookies stepping into professional competition for the first time, and coaching staffs beginning to implement their offseason plans in a live setting. For the Lions and Chargers, two franchises with very different narratives heading into this season, it will be a valuable first test—and one already drawing attention in the betting world.

Oddsmakers typically approach the Hall of Fame Game and the preseason slate with caution. Betting on preseason football is, by nature, a more unpredictable venture than wagering on regular-season games. Starters rarely play more than a series or two, and often not at all. Quarterback rotations are fluid, and schemes are kept intentionally vanilla to avoid giving away too much before September. Yet despite the uncertainty, early odds for the Lions vs. Chargers matchup are beginning to form, shaped by a blend of team trajectory, offseason additions, and public sentiment. Early lines typically favor teams with deeper quarterback rooms and coaching stability, and in this case, both Detroit and Los Angeles present interesting cases.

Detroit’s presence in the Hall of Fame Game carries a sense of earned spotlight. The Lions have transformed over the past few seasons from perennial rebuilders into legitimate NFC contenders. Under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, Detroit has assembled a tough, physical team that reflects its city’s character. Their playoff run last season—one that ended just shy of a Super Bowl appearance—has sparked newfound national respect and optimism. Entering the 2025 season, expectations are high, and this opening game will be the first glimpse of how Campbell plans to build on the franchise’s recent success.

For the Chargers, the Hall of Fame Game offers a different kind of opportunity. After an up-and-down 2024 campaign that failed to meet expectations, Los Angeles heads into the preseason with a mix of urgency and optimism. Quarterback Justin Herbert remains the face of the franchise, a generational talent whose potential has yet to fully align with postseason success. A retooled coaching staff and some aggressive offseason moves have sparked hope that this year could mark a turning point. As a result, many bettors are looking at the Chargers as a high-upside wildcard—one that, if it finds the right chemistry early, could be a dark horse contender in a loaded AFC.

When it comes to betting odds for the Hall of Fame Game itself, the spread is generally tight. Most early lines hover within a field goal either way, as books account for the uncertainty surrounding who will play and for how long. Early reports suggest that many of the Chargers’ and Lions’ established starters may see limited, if any, snaps—standard for this game—but that hasn’t stopped fans from trying to project outcomes. Backup quarterbacks, rookie defenders, and special teams units often become deciding factors in these early contests. That means evaluating depth and youth development is crucial, especially when wagering on preseason action.

Preseason over/under totals are notoriously low, often in the mid-to-high 30s, reflecting the cautious offensive approach most teams take. For the Lions and Chargers, both of whom are looking to evaluate new additions on defense and shore up secondary units, it’s likely that both coaching staffs will approach the opener with conservative game plans. Don’t expect deep playbooks or high-risk calls. Instead, look for fundamentals: sound tackling, clean formations, and coaches evaluating which players can execute under game conditions. This is less about highlight-reel plays and more about precision and mental readiness.

For bettors and analysts, there are still meaningful takeaways to be found in the game. Rookie quarterback performance, in particular, can move betting markets for regular season win totals, offensive rookie of the year odds, and even divisional futures. Should a rookie or young player emerge in the Hall of Fame Game, it can quickly shift the betting narrative surrounding a team. In this case, both Detroit and Los Angeles have intriguing young talents that could be showcased, depending on how the coaching staffs divide reps. A standout showing in Canton can influence how these players are viewed—not just by fans, but by the sportsbooks as well.

From a broader perspective, the Hall of Fame Game is also the first checkpoint for futures bettors looking to identify value. The Lions currently sit somewhere in the middle to upper tier in terms of Super Bowl odds, reflecting both their upward trajectory and the relative strength of the NFC. With a solid foundation at quarterback, a physical offensive line, and a hungry defense, Detroit has become a trendy pick to take another step forward. How their second- and third-string units perform in preseason could give further insight into the team’s depth and readiness for a deep playoff run.

The Chargers, meanwhile, face a more complex outlook in futures markets. The AFC is stacked with elite teams—the Chiefs, Bengals, Ravens, and Bills all sit near the top—and Los Angeles will need to outperform expectations just to secure a playoff spot. That’s led to favorable odds for bettors willing to take a chance on Herbert’s upside and a revamped defense. The Hall of Fame Game may not provide definitive answers, but it will start to reveal whether the Chargers are on the right path or if early concerns about cohesion or execution could justify skepticism.

Aside from betting angles, the game also serves as an emotional and motivational touchpoint for players and coaches. For many rookies and bubble players, this is the first chance to play in an NFL stadium, in front of fans, wearing the uniform of a professional team. It’s more than symbolic—it’s a test of nerves, preparation, and adaptability. For those on the fringe of the 53-man roster, this could be the only game action they see all season. One good performance under the lights in Canton could mean the difference between a roster spot and a release.

There’s also an intangible element to the Hall of Fame Game that can’t be measured in odds or win totals. It represents the start of something—momentum, belief, identity. For the Lions, who have spent the last few years reshaping their culture from the ground up, this is an early opportunity to reinforce the grit and resolve that have become the team’s trademarks. For the Chargers, it’s a first step toward proving that talent alone doesn’t win championships—cohesion, discipline, and resilience do.

For fans, the return of football is its own reward. After an offseason of speculation, trades, mock drafts, and depth chart debates, there’s finally something real to evaluate. Whether you’re tuning in to catch the debut of a hyped rookie, analyze your team’s new defensive alignment, or simply enjoy the comfort of football under the summer sky, the Hall of Fame Game delivers the start of the NFL experience all over again.

As the Lions and Chargers take the field on July 31, the weight of expectations and opportunity will be in the air. It may not count in the standings, but for players fighting to prove they belong, coaches installing their vision, and fans hungry for action, it will matter a great deal. Early odds may suggest a close, low-scoring affair, but beyond the numbers lies the heartbeat of the league’s return—a promise of drama, development, and dreams to be realized in the weeks and months ahead.