Spread: Raiders -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under: 30.5 (-110)
Time: 7pm Central
Channel: NBC
“Football…FOOTBALL!” -Scott Hanson
Yes, NFL football is back tonight as the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight in the pro football Hall of Fame Game. If you are reading this, you are most likely just happy that there’s finally football to bet on. Even if it is preseason. It’s been a dark month for us gamblers and we are almost nearing some of the best times of the year. But how do we analyze this game? Few to no Starters will be playing and both teams have gone through a lot of changes this offseason. That includes both bringing in new head coaches too. Josh McDaniels signed with Raiders and Doug Pederson manning the ship for the Jaguars. So how do we bet this game?
Over 30.5:
Historically, the Hall of Fame game goes under more than not. Since 2000, the under is 12-7. Even more recently the under is 7-2 since 2010. You have a lot of inexperienced players, new schemes, and just overall first game jitters for a lot of the players actually playing. It’s not necessarily shocking that this game goes under more than not. But, Vegas doesn’t just fall asleep at the wheel, not even on the Hall of Fame game. The under is set at 30.5 which is the lowest under in the HOF game in 15 years. 30.5 is just such a low number in any football game despite the level of play. As of right now, 65% of the bets are on the under. Bettors seem comfortable playing the under at a historically low number. Well, I’m going to go against the grain. I like the Over at 30.5. I don’t like that the under is getting most of the public attention and I think Vegas has set the number so low for that reason.
Jaguars +2.5
When it comes to the spread, I like the Jags at +2.5 (recommend buying 0.5 pts to make it Jags +3). I honestly don’t have a ton of game analysis here other than look, both teams aren’t going to have stars out there. We may get to see first overall pick Travon Walker but he may be the highest level of talent out there at some point. We do have plenty of players fighting for a roster spot and plenty of motivation to go out there and give it their all though. When it’s somewhat of a toss up like that, I like getting points. I think Pederson will have some fun in this game and try out some new plays and schemes which could catch the Raiders off guard. I predict the Jaguars win this game so just to be safe I’ll take 2.5/3 points for a chance at a cover too.
Score Prediction: Jaguars 18 Raiders 14