2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game Odds and Predictions

The 2024 NFL preseason officially begins with the Hall of Fame Game on August 1, as the Houston Texans battle the Chicago Bears at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

The NFL Hall of Fame Game has been played every year since 1962, except on four occasions. The Texans vs. Bears matchup marks the 58^th installment of this annual tradition.

In 1970, the HOF Game was reshuffled to become the first preseason game of the year. Since 2011, the two NFL teams selected to participate in the HOF Game both have prominent former players being inducted into that year’s Hall of Fame Class. 

This year, the Chicago Bears will see Devin Hester, Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers all get inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Houston Texans will see Andre Johnson be inducted. The Hall of Fame Ceremony takes place on Saturday, August 3.

Let’s take a look at the latest NFL HOF Game odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game predictions. However, it should be noted that no HOF Game participant has won the Super Bowl in the same year.

When is the NFL Hall Of Fame Game?

The 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game is scheduled for Thursday, August 1, 2024. Kickoff for the Bears vs. Texans is set for 8pm ET/5pm PT.

What Channel is the NFL Hall of Fame Game On?

The 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game can be seen on ESPN and ABC, along with being streamed on the ESPN platforms.

2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game Odds

The latest NFL odds for the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game:

Texans and Bears HOF Game History

The Houston Texans have played in the Hall of Fame Game once before. That came in 2002, when the team first joined the league. Unfortunately, the Texans were walloped by the New York Giants 34-17.

The Chicago Bears are making their 6^th HOF Game appearance. Currently, the Bears are 4-1 in Hall of Fame games and last played in 2018. That year, the Bears suffered their first HOF Game defeat as the Baltimore Ravens pipped Chicago at the line by a score of 17-16.

Prior to that loss, the Bears were 4-0 in their previous appearances:

• 2005: Bears 27 – Dolphins 24
• 1990: Bears 13 – Browns 0
• 1977: Bears 20 – Jets 6
• 1968: Bears 30 – Cowboys 24

2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game: Team Betting Data

Texans vs. Bears Head-to-Head Trends

The Houston Texans and Chicago Bears have played against each other six times. Currently, the Texans hold a 4-2 advantage over the Bears.

These two teams last played in September 2022, and the Bears pulled out the 23-20 victory at home. In fact, Chicago has won two straight games against Houston. The Texans are 2-2 on the road against the Bears. Chicago is 0-2 on the road against Houston. Although the Bears are considered the home team for this HOF Game, it’s still played at a different stadium than Solider Field.

Texans vs. Bears Betting Trends

As mentioned, Houston is 4-2 SU against Chicago. Let’s take a closer look at some team betting trends that may factor into a HOF Game bet:

Houston Texans Betting Trends

• Houston is 5-1 SU in their last six August games.
• Houston is 5-1 ATS in their last six Preseason games.
• The Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last five Thursday games.
• Houston is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games.
• The Texans are 3-6 SU in their last nine games against the NFC North.
• The Under is 5-1 in their last six August games.

Chicago Bears Betting Trends

• The Bears are 5-1 ATS in their last six August games.
• Chicago is 4-2 SU in their last six Preseason games.
• Chicago is 7-1 SU in their last eight Thursday games.
• The Over is 5-0 in their last five games against the AFC South.
• The Over is 12-2 in their last 14 AFC games.

Houston Texans Preview

The Houston Texans come into the 2024-25 NFL season with lofty expectations. Not only are they predicted to win the AFC South division, but they’re also one of a handful of teams that are tabbed to contend for the AFC Championship.

The Texans found lighting in a bottle when they drafted QB CJ Stroud. Sure, he was projected to become a high-quality starter in time, but nobody thought he would be one of the best in the league last year. That’s exactly what the former Ohio State Buckeye did. Stroud led the Texans to the Playoffs and a dominant march through their division.

The growth of the Texans has made them an attractive team as Houston will have six primetime games this year. Perhaps, no game will be bigger than their Christmas matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17.

Last year, the Ravens beat the Texans twice by a combined score of 59-19. In fact, Lamar Jackson is 4-0 against the Texans in his career. Making matters worse, the Ravens are 12-2 all-time against Houston.

If the Texans want to be a real contender in the AFC, they’re going to need a Christmas miracle. Fortunately, they received some early Christmas presents this offseason as Houston added some serious talent with running back Joe Mixon, WR Stefon Diggs, and pass rusher Daniell Hunter to name a few.

Houston finished with the 7^th best passing offense at 245.5 yards per game. However, they were only 13^th in scoring (22.2 ppg) and 22^nd in rushing yards at 96.9 ypg. The hope is that Mixon can jumpstart this rushing attack, so that the Texans can be a more well-balance offense. If they can improve the running game and score more points, this team will be one of the best in the AFC.

It will be interesting to see how this running game looks in 2024. Perhaps, we’ll get a glimpse of it in the HOF Game on August 1.

Chicago Bears Preview

The Chicago Bears are one of the most hyped teams this offseason and that’s due to the moves they made. Like the Texans, the Bears added some key players in WR Keenan Allen, RB D’Andre Swift, drafted franchise QB Caleb Williams first overall, along with drafting WR Roman Odunze.

With these players, Chicago’s offense will be able to compete in the NFC North against divisional rivals like the Lions and Packers. But we’re most likely not going to see those stars playing in the HOF Game. In fact, it would be a shock if Chicago allowed Caleb Williams any snaps. More than likely, we won’t see Williams until Chicago’s second preseason game, which is technically Week 1 of the Preseason for 30 other teams.

With a new defensive coordinator, Eric Washington, it will be interesting to see how Chicago’s defense improves from last year. They already had some success last season by allowing the fewest rushing yards on the season and the second fewest rushing touchdowns. They also tied with the 49ers for the most interceptions with 22 INTs. 

Chicago was 12^th in the league with 324.2 yards allowed per game. They finished 25^th with 237.8 passing yards per game and 31 passing TDs allowed. It’s clear that this defense needs an improvement in their secondary and pass defense. Another area that will need improvement is their Red Zone defense that allowed TDs 68.9% of the time.

2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game Predictions

As of Monday, July 29, the National Weather Service is predicting a 50% chance of rain for Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game. In fact, it’s supposed to rain most of the week in Canton, Ohio.

To me, that feels like a Chicago-type of game. Where the weather limits passing games, and we’re left with a physical smash-mouth contest. I expect there to be a larger Bears fanbase for the game and a hyped team. We probably won’t see any big stars for the Texans and the Bears in this game. So, the backups will have to get the job done.

When you look at the weather, the number of Bears being inducted into the HOF this weekend, a larger fan base, and a 4-1 record in the HOF game, I like Chicago to steamroll the Texans. Points might be hard to come by if it’s raining. So, the weather will be a factor on the field and with the sportsbooks.

The safe approach to this game is the moneylines since they’re low odds and nice payouts. The spread could move as we get closer to the game time if oddsmakers take the weather into further consideration. As of the July 29 weather forecast for the week, I like the Bears to win this game.

Bet: Chicago Bears (-130)

NFL Hall of Fame Game Appearances