Hall of Fame Game Kicks Off 2025 NFL Preseason
The start of the 2025 NFL season is nearly upon us, and the tradition of starting the preseason with the Hall of Fame Game continues. From Canton, Ohio, it is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, as the Los Angeles Chargers, who returned to the postseason last year under Jim Harbaugh, take on the Detroit Lions.
Early Betting Odds: Lions Slight Favorites
According to the early NFL preseason betting odds on this game, as they are posted at BetUS, the Lions are favored:
Spread
- Detroit Lions -1
- Los Angeles Chargers +1
Total Points
- Over 32 Points -110
- Under 32 Points -110
Chargers Preseason Outlook: Power Running and Developmental QBs
The Chargers, who were 11-6 in the 2024 regular season before losing to Houston in the playoffs, sought to beef up the running game with the acquisition of workhorse Najee Harris and speedy rookie Omario Hampton, as they look to embody the philosophy of Harbaugh and his offensive coordinator, Greg Roman. They also drafted wide receiver Tre Harris, who will help. But they released defensive end Joey Bosa, a five-time Pro Bowl selectee.
In this game you won’t see much from QB Justin Herbert (just three INT’s last year), but instead they’ll give some playing time to journeyman Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance, who still hasn’t shown much of what he can do in the NFL. Rookie DJ Uiagalelei, who played at Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State, could get some snaps as well.
NFL Preseason – Betting on Coaches
Are the Lions Past Their Peak?
People might be asking whether the Lions’ time may have come and gone. They could have – and maybe should have – gone to the Super Bowl the last two seasons. But they made some unfortunate decisions against San Francisco two seasons ago in the NFC title game and suffered too many injuries on defense last season, when Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders went through them like a knife through butter.
But the fact is, they were the #1 seed in the NFC, and as is often the case in success stories like theirs, they lose some assistant coaches who go on to take head coaching positions elsewhere.
In this particular instance, Ben Johnson, who is the latest guy to be tabbed an offensive “guru,” took the job with the improving Chicago Bears, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was hired as head coach by the New York Jets.
The Lions replaced Johnson with John Morton, who has spent 23 years in the NFL. He returns to Detroit, having served as a senior assistant in 2022. For the last two years he’s been passing game coordinator for the Denver Broncos. And they promoted from within to name Kelvin Sheppard to the D-coordinator post. He’s a former linebacker in the league who spent the last five years on Dan Campbell’s staff in the Motor City.
Limited Action Expected from Jared Goff
Quarterback Jared Goff should see little action if any for the Lions, and the backup situation involves Hendon Hooker, the former star for the Tennessee Volunteers, as well as Kyle Allen, who is entering his seventh NFL year but has thrown just one pass over the last two seasons.
As a head coach, Campbell is 5-7 straight-up in the preseason. while Harbaugh is 11-8.
