Mike Tomlin really hasn't cared all that much about the preseason the last two seasons, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to just a 1-7 SU and ATS record. Live bettors have to believe that playing in the Hall of Fame Game isn't going to be any more motivating for him, which could give a big edge to the Minnesota Vikings.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Ben Roethlisberger probably isn't going to play in this game for the Steelers, and even if he does, it's a half dozen plays at best for him. Bruce Gradkowski is on the PUP list, which leaves Landry Jones and Tajh Boyd to play most of this game.
Last year in the preseason, Jones did throw the ball a bunch for a backup at 14.7 times per game. He went 27-of-44 for 224 yards, but he didn't throw a TD in that mix. Boyd, then with the Jets, was just 8-of-17 for 98 yards.
Teddy Bridgewater meanwhile, is expected to play two series in this game. Shaun Hill probably won't play much, if at all, while Taylor Heinicke and Mike Kafka will likely clean up the second half of this game.
Clearly, for live betting purposes, Minnesota has a massive advantage at the QB spot.
WHEN MINNESOTA HAS THE BALL
Early on in the game, expect to see the Vikings throw the ball a bunch. Bridgewater needs to build a rapport with new receiver Mike Wallace, and the running backs behind him won't be named Adrian Peterson.
There's still a big push to try to work through the nine wide receivers fighting for two, maybe three spots on the roster, while Heinicke and Kafka could put the ball in the air a bunch as well. Against a Pittsburgh defense which allowed 19.3 points per game last year in the preseason, this could be a good sign for live bettors of the Vikes.
WHEN PITTSBURGH HAS THE BALL
Believe it or not, the Steelers averaged running the ball just 20 times per game in the preseason last year. Though the big time quarterbacks aren't going to play for Pittsburgh, there is still a fierce battle going on between Jones and Boyd to become the third quarterback on this roster. One man is likely to have a job at the end of this next month, while the other is going to be looking to latch onto someone's practice squad.
However, neither quarterback is expected to be all that efficient, which should lead to a long game with a lot of clock stoppages.
Minnesota averaged allowing just 7.5 points per half in the second half of preseason games last year, and with those reserves mostly being the ones who will be on the field in this game, the Steelers could have a tough time. At the first sign of trouble, particularly for Boyd, don't be afraid to live bet on the Vikes.
TREND TO TRACK
Mike Zimmer was a head coach for the very first time last year, and he was really strong, going 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS. His aggression and success in the preseason is something likely learned on the job when he was coaching alongside Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati.
Lewis is 25-22-1 ATS in his career in the preseason, as he puts just a little more weight on these games than the average coach does. If Zimmer takes that to the next level, the Vikings could definitely be worth watching out for in this, the opening game of the season. There's a reason this point spread has jumped from -2 up to -3.5.
The NFL betting lines and props for the Hall of Fame Game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Minnesota Vikings were lined at -2 alongside a total of 34. Live wagering during commercials offers adjusted moneylines, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The duel between the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers will go down Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 8 p.m. ET at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, OH. The game will be televised live on NBC.
