Detroit Lions, LA Chargers Meet In NFL Hall Of Fame Game Thursday

The NFL will distribute gold blazers and unveil a bust of each of the four 2025 inductees during Hall of Fame Game ceremonies. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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The National Football League’s 2025 season officially begins Thursday with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The game matches a pair of 2024 playoff teams, the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers, and also serves as a prelude to the annual induction ceremony for the latest class of Hall of Famers.

The four inductees this season are cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen, tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. They will receive their gold jackets at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Saturday.

Most NFL teams choose not to risk to key players in the preseason, and this will be no different.

A Look at the Detroit Lions

The Lions have a new look and a new determination.

Detroit went 15-2 a year ago, but the winningest season in franchise history landed with a thud in a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC division playoffs.

In quick succession, the Lions then lost both coordinators to head coaching jobs, Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears and Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets.

John Morton was promote to replace Johnson as offensive coordinator, and he will be calling plays for backup quarterback Hendon Hooker and newcomer Kyle Allen on Thursday.

Hooker won the backup job behind Jared Goff after a strong 2024 preseason. Goff will not dress.

The Lions’ top two draft picks, first-round defensive Tyliek Williams and second-round center Tate Ratledge also will be held out, as will Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who is returning from two left leg fractures that limited him to five games a year ago.

A Look at the Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Harbaugh took the Chargers to the playoffs in his first season, but they also suffered a disappointing loss in the first round of the AFC playoffs when they were blown out by Houston 32-12 as the Texans throttled quarterback Justin Herbert.

Herbert will not dress here, with journeyman Trey Lance getting the start as he looks to move up the depth chart.

Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 draft by San Francisco, is still searching for a landing spot after spending time with the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. He will play the first half and a series in the third, Harbaugh said, with rookie DJ Uiagalelei in relief.

Lance signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Chargers in April. Taylor Heinicke is listed as No. 2 on the depth chart.

First-round draftee Omarion Hampton, the 22nd pick and second running back taken, will play, Harbaugh said. Hampton is expected to join newcomer Najee Harris as the 1-2 running backs in the regular season. Harris is out after suffering an eye injury in a July 4 fireworks accident.

A look at the matchup

Like much of the exhibition season, regulars will not see much if any action Thursday, which makes the result relatively less predictable.

The spread: Lions -1 1/2.

The money line: Lions -135, Chargers +110.

The total: 32 1/2.

The Hall of Fame Game usually devolves into a defense-first affair. Offenses have been in training camp less than two weeks, hardly enough time to work into peak form, and with backups/rookies at the skill positions, scoring can be a challenge. That being said, the last two and four of the last six games have gone over the total. With quarterbacks on both sides looking to make a statement here, look for that to continue.

The play: Over 32 1/2.