The NFL Hall of Fame game is one of the league’s longer-running, if slightly odd, traditions. Along with nominating some members to the Pro Football HOF in Canton, Ohio, the league’s first preseason game is also played. Though an exhibition game in the very broadest sense, i.e. with a minority of bona fide NFL starters an extremely miniscule effect on the upcoming regular season, the Hall of Fame Game is nevertheless much adored by fans and now NFL bettors as we all try to (probably futilely) glean some hint as to what’s coming this year.
To no one’s surprise – certainly not to the sportsbooks, who’d set a line of Jacksonville Jaguars +5½ – the Las Vegas Raiders won, 27-11. This result gives Hall of Fame Game favorites a 14-3 SU/11-4-2 ATS mark over the past 17 years. And after unders had hit on seven of the past nine HOF Games, the bookmakers set an incredibly low over/under of 30½ points – and even that over only covered with less than 3½ minutes to play.
So did NFLbets have any relevant takeaways? Maybe a couple…
• For the Raiders, it sure looked like Josh Jacobs may be getting prepped as an all-purpose back: In the game’s first 11 plays, Josh Daniels had his number called seven times, five to run and twcie to catch passes.
• For the Jaguars, rookie Javon Walker may be one to watch and he’s already seeing his odds in the “Defensive Rookie of the Year” proposition bet drop (now at 10/1) after his performance in the game – and this with fellow Jacksonville rookie Devin Lloyd getting 20/1 odds in the same prop!
The most important takeaway, though: It’s time to start sharpening the NFL betting skills for the regular season. Can’t wait…
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