Chargers-Lions odds have Detroit favored tonight, but that's not the side I'm looking to back. Let's get into my Chargers vs. Lions prediction and my NFL predictions for the Hall of Fame Game.
The NFL preseason starts tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBC from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Don't expect to see either team's stars, including quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Jared Goff. Instead, the likes of DJ Uiagalelei, Trey Lance and Hendon Hooker will be on display.
Chargers vs Lions Odds
| Chargers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 33.5 -115 / -105 | +110 |
| Lions Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 33.5 -115 / -105 | -130 |
- Chargers-Lions Point Spread: Lions -1.5
- Chargers-Lions Total: Over/Under 33.5
- Chargers-Lions Moneyline: Chargers +110, Lions -130
Chargers vs Lions Predictions
Although the Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh are both aligned in that they plan on resting the majority of their starters for Thursday’s Hall of Fame game – including respective starting quarterbacks Jared Goff and Justin Herbert – there are some key differences in each coach’s plans, creating a scenario that favors the Chargers early and the Lions late.
The Lions are planning to split reps between their QB2 (Hendon Hooker) and QB3 (Kyle Allen), while the Chargers will be going with the QB3 (Trey Lance) and QB4 (DJ Uiagalelei) on their depth chart, with QB2 Taylor Heinicke available only as the emergency QB. Lance will reportedly play the entire first half and one drive of the third quarter before handing the reins to Uiagalelei.
While there is little discernible drop-off between Hooker and Allen, Uiagalelei is an undrafted rookie free agent who, according to PFF, completed just 52.5% of his passes with more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (four) on 158 attempts last season at Florida State. He is clearly a tier below the other three quarterbacks in this game, no matter what you may think of Lance.
While it makes sense that the Lions are favored, given we could get nearly an entire half of Uiagalelei, the Chargers should have the early edge. According to The Athletic, Campbell has decided against playing the top two members of Detroit’s 2025 draft class – first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (Ohio State) and second-round guard Tate Ratledge (Georgia) – while Harbaugh confirmed he will give playing time to first-round running back Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) and second-round wide receiver Tre Harris (Ole Miss), per The Athletic. The Chargers also reportedly plan to give a few series at center to Zion Johnson, who started all 17 games at guard last season.
The combination of Lance, Hampton, Harris, fifth-round tight end Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse) and fellow fifth-round wide receiver Ke'Andre Lambert-Smith (Auburn), along with speedy third-year wide receiver/kick-returner Derius Davis give the Chargers a plethora of options to generate offensive explosiveness early, whereas the Lions will be relying mostly on rookie third-round wide receiver Isaac Te’Slaa (Arkansas) and seventh-round wide receiver Dominic Lovett (Georgia).
NFL Hall of Fame Game Picks
According to our Action Labs data, full-game underdogs +1 or less in the first half with a modest total (under 21) are 187-150-11 (56%) ATS since 2005.
I’d look to back the Chargers in both the first half and first quarter (if quarter lines become available) at a pick’em or better.
I lean Lions second-half and full-game due to their projected second-half quarterback edge, but in the interest of not betting two inversely correlated bets by also taking Lions full-game, I’m looking to get added upside by sprinkling in some Chargers first-half/Lions full-game double-result at long odds instead (+750 at DraftKings at the time of this writing).
Picks
- Chargers +0.5 1H (to pick'em) at DraftKings
- Chargers 1Q (to pick'em) if available
- Chargers 1H/DET full-game double-result +750 at DraftKings (to +400)
How to Watch Chargers vs. Lions
| Location | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium |
| Date | Thursday, July 31 |
| Kickoff Time | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming | NBC |
