2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game odds: How to bet Texans-Bears

The long wait for the NFL will soon be over as preseason kicks off with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. 

Since 1962, the NFL has held this event to launch the preseason, and this year’s edition features the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears. 

This will be the second appearance for Houston and the sixth for Chicago. The game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio during Enshrinement Week for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, the Bears are 1.5-point favorites over the Texans. 

Let’s dive into the odds.

HOUSTON TEXANS @ CHICAGO BEARS 
Thursday, Aug. 1
8 p.m ET, ESPN

Point spread: Bears -1.5 (Bears favored to win by more than 1.5 points, otherwise Texans cover)
Moneyline: Bears -130 favorites to win (bet $10 to win $17.69 total); Texans +110 underdogs to win (bet $10 to win $21 total)
Total scoring Over/Under: 32.5 points scored by both teams combined

The matchup features two teams with high expectations entering the season. 

In his rookie year, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud led the team to a 10-7 record and a playoff win. Houston will look to build off that success in 2024, as the organization has beefed up its roster with the additions of Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon and Danielle Hunter. 

On the other side is Chicago. 

After finishing the 2023-24 season by winning five of their last eight games, the Bears had a massive offseason, which included drafting former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick. 

Not only did Ryan Poles and management draft their QB of the future, they also surrounded him with brand-new weapons, including veteran wideout Keenan Allen and No. 9 pick wide receiver Rome Odunze. 

So are you backing the Texans or the Bears to win the 2024 Hall of Fame Game?

Check out this insight from FOX Sports betting analyst Geoff Schwartz:

Real football is being played tonight in Canton, Ohio. 

The NFL season starts with this exciting preseason game each year. It’s the Hall of Fame Game, which features two teams who have former players being inducted into the Hall of Fame that same weekend. 

This year, the matchup is between the Bears and Texans. 

For the Bears, Devin Hester is being inducted. The Hall of Fame inductee for Houston is Andre Johnson — the first player drafted by the Texans to reach Canton. Hats off to these legends for being rewarded for their extraordinary careers.

Now, back to football.

No one should expect to see much scoring on Thursday night. I know the point total of 32.5 is scary low and the total has gone over the last two Hall of Fame Games, but I don’t see any other way to wager on this matchup.

The Bears and Texans are unlikely to play their starting quarterbacks — even though I could see the Bears giving rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a few drives. So if neither starting QB sees much time on Thursday, we have to turn toward the backups. 

The Texans have Davis Mills, Case Keenum and Tim Boyle. Mills and Keenum are competing for the backup job, while Boyle is just a body for camp. This is the perfect opportunity for camp bodies to see the field, so Boyle should get some time.

The Bears have Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien and Austin Reed available to play at the position. These are not exactly three backups who have extensive NFL success. 

If I lose an Under because Rypien, Reed or Boyle lights up the opposing defenses in the fourth quarter, so be it. 

It’s also worth noting that both head coaches in this game are defensive-minded head coaches. 

Defensive head coaches tend to have their units a tad bit ahead of the offenses in training camp. They like to establish the line of scrimmage in any preseason contest. 

I’ve been around offensive coaches in the preseason, and their main concern is just making sure the offense gets in their reps.

So give me the defensive head coaches to have their defenses ready for this one. 

PICK: Under 32.5 points scored by both teams combined

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