News Summary
The 2025 NFL preseason opens with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game featuring the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers. Amid notable absences, including starting quarterbacks Jared Goff and Justin Herbert, both teams aim to evaluate their depth. Coinciding with the game, an enshrinement ceremony celebrates the Class of 2025, adding significance to this year’s event. With betting odds favoring the Lions and a history of underdog victories, anticipation builds for this critical preseason matchup.
Canton, Ohio – The 2025 NFL preseason officially kicks off with the highly anticipated Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, featuring the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. The game will be held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET.
Last season, the Detroit Lions had an impressive record of 15-2, securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC but ultimately fell short in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers recorded an 11-6 season, finishing second in the AFC West, only to lose in their playoff game as well. Both teams enter the 2025 season with aspirations for title contention following disappointing exits in the previous postseason.
In a notable shift, Lions quarterback Jared Goff is expected to sit out the game, marking his first absence from preseason play since 2022. Similarly, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will not play, as he has never participated in a preseason game throughout his five-year career. This choice raises questions about how both teams will showcase their depth in quarterback positions during the matchup.
According to the latest betting odds, the Lions are favored by 1.5 points with a money-line of -135, while the Chargers are positioned at +114. The predicted total points scored is set at 32.5 for the game. In a trend noted over recent years, underdogs have won the Hall of Fame Game for the past three seasons, adding an element of unpredictability to the opening contest of the preseason.
This year’s game also features significant coaching changes. The Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell lost both of his coordinators to head coaching roles elsewhere, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the game. The Chargers, now in their second year under head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Horvitz, aim to solidify their running game and additional offensive strategies.
For the Chargers, there is a rookie running back named Omarion Hampton who will be looking to make his mark, alongside newly signed running back Naji Harris, although Harris will not be participating in this game. The team is expected to showcase a competitive backup quarterback battle. Trey Lance is slated to start, with DJ Uiagalelei expected to see time in the second half, while veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke will not be playing.
Ahead of the game, there will be an enshrinement ceremony for the Class of 2025, featuring notable former players such as Antonio Gates, Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Sterling Sharpe, on August 2, which adds additional significance to this year’s Hall of Fame Game.
The game will be televised live on NBC, with veteran football commentators Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth providing coverage. Fans will also have the opportunity to stream the game via NFL+. Additionally, new users on DraftKings can take advantage of a promo code that offers a $150 bonus after a minimum wager of $5.
Fans and analysts alike are turning to experts like Matt Severance for predictions and analysis as excitement builds for the season opener. This showdown between the Lions and Chargers is not just a warm-up for the teams but a pivotal moment as they set the stage for the rest of the preseason and the road to the NFL championship.
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Additional Resources
- NFL.com: 2025 Hall of Fame Week How to Watch
- Wikipedia: Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
- NBC: 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game How to Watch
- Google Search: 2025 NFL Preseason
- Action Network: 2025 Hall of Fame Game Betting Promos
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Football League
