The annual Hall of Fame Game gets the 2019 NFL preseason and the league’s 100th anniversary campaign underway. The game can be viewed as a blessing or a curse, depending on who you talk to. Both the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons get additional practice time due to their participation. Given the rash of injuries the Falcons sustained last year, it might not be worth the additional game. After a number of years as one of the most respected defensive coordinators in the NFL, Vic Fangio wears the big headset for the first time as he looks to get the Broncos turned around. We will see plenty of players who won’t be around next month, which makes it difficult to handicap this contest. But football is back, baby, and that’s what it’s all about.
The Hall of Fame Game will go down Thursday, August 1, 2019, at 8 p.m. ET from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The game will air on NBC.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Atlanta Falcons +2.5
Denver Broncos -2.5
Over/Under 34
Odds Analysis
Preseason games are difficult to handicap, and the HOF game has to be the toughest since it’s the first time the teams will take the field for a competitive game. And it’s unlikely that we see starters on either side, making it a battle of backups and players that won’t be around once the regular season gets underway.
Coaches have their own preseason plan but that’s saved for a typical four-game exhibition slate. The HOF becomes a who’s who by the middle of the first quarter and accurately handicapping the game is a useless exercise. Both clubs have plenty to work on after disappointing last seasons, and this game provides an opportunity for fringe players to make their mark. The question is: which team has the better fringe players? Check the Free Sports Picks.
Quarterback Rotation
The Broncos have all new faces in the quarterback room along with a new coach. However, it’s unlikely we see Joe Flacco suit up since he’s been through the rigors of numerous training camps with the Ravens. And Denver needs to make a decision on its backup so we’re going to see a lot of Kevin Hogan and Drew Lock. Early indications are that Hogan will take the initial snaps with Lock getting plenty of playing time. Fangio indicated earlier in camp that Lock isn’t where he needs to be so you can expect to see a lot of him.
The team is also high on undrafted rookie Brett Rypien. The Boise State product hasn’t gotten many reps in practice to this point and Fangio wants to get a good look at him while he can. This is probably the best opportunity for Rypien to show what he can do and he will attempt to make the most of his reps. The key is Lock, the second round pick labeled as the QB of the future. The team whiffed on Paxton Lynch a few years ago and Lock will have every opportunity.
Matt Ryan was listed at the top of the Falcons depth chart ahead of the HOF game. However, we probably won’t see him on Thursday. Atlanta’s situation is a little different with three QBs on the roster so Matt Schaub and Kurt Benkert will split the snaps. Benkert played all four preseason games last year with a team-high 64 pass attempts.
One advantage the Falcons have is at the most important position with all three players back for a second consecutive season. One less quarterback on the roster than they had last year could create some uneasy moments for Dan Quinn. And the entire group needs to work with new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. Ryan has a history with Koetter, the others don’t.
Coaching History
This being Fangio’s first game as a head coach will motivate Denver. We don’t know what his strategy is for the preseason and he hasn’t said much ahead of the game. But you can expect he and the team will be ready to go.
There is no correlation between what happens in the preseason and what takes place during the regular year. You know Quinn wants to win an exhibition game, though, after the Falcons went winless the last two years. There were other factors, but dropping all four preseason games set Atlanta up for failure last year. And this is a team with Super Bowl expectations.
Free ATS Pick
The first preseason game always seems to be sloppy and the HOF scores have been low. Denver opened as the favorite in this one, but I like the Falcons just because of their stability at quarterback. Benkert hasn’t been great, but he’s around for another season. And that should give him and the Falcons the edge in this contest.
NFL Odds: Falcons 16, Broncos 13
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