NFL preseason action gets underway this Thursday with the annual Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, OH. The Jacksonville Jaguars will be squaring off with the Las Vegas Raiders in a matchup of two teams that have new coaches at the helm. Here’s a look at the latest news, notes, and betting odds for Jaguars vs. Raiders.
Jaguars vs. Raiders preseason betting odds
Hall of Fame Game Odds: Raiders slightly favored over Jaguars
Betting odds are out for the first preseason game of the year. Oddsmakers have the contest pegged as a close one with not much in the way of offense expected. Here are the latest lines for the Raiders vs. Jaguars pregame betting.
- Moneyline: Raiders , Jaguars
- Spread: Raiders , Jaguars
- Total:
Where can I watch the Hall of Fame Game?
This year’s Hall of Fame Game takes place on Thursday, Aug. 4, at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, OH. NBC will handle broadcast duties with coverage set to begin at 8 p.m. ET. Viewers can also stream the action on the Peacock streaming service.
Las Vegas Raiders offseason news and notes
The Las Vegas Raiders were the fifth seed in the AFC Playoffs last year following a 10-7 regular season. The playoff run ended quickly at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals. The team hired Josh McDaniels, former offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, as head coach in January.
McDaniels was previously a head coach with the AFC West rival Denver Broncos, going 11-17 before he was let go in his second season. Over the offseason, the team traded its top two picks in the NFL Draft to the Green Bay Packers for star WR Davante Adams. He’s a former college teammate of Derek Carr.
Jacksonville Jaguars offseason news and notes
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a tough season last year. First-year head coach Urban Meyer was fired in December. The team struggled to a record of 3-14, but they did manage to pull off an upset over the Indianapolis Colts in the final week as 14-point underdogs, knocking their division rivals out of postseason contention.
Doug Pederson, a former Super Bowl winner with the Philadelphia Eagles, has been hired to lead the way. The club spent the top overall pick in the NFL Draft on DE Travon Walker, and added LB Devin Lloyd later in the first round. In free agency, the headline signing was WR Christian Kirk, who was inked to a 4-year, $72 million deal.
Raiders preseason history
There’s a new head coach in charge, but here’s the preseason record for the Raiders over the last five years:
- 2021: 2-1
- 2020: N/A
- 2019: 3-1
- 2018: 3-1
- 2017: 0-4
Preseason games were canceled in 2020, and the exhibition season was shortened to three games starting in 2021.
Jaguars preseason history
There’s also a new head coach on the sidelines in Jacksonville. Here’s what has happened over the last few years of exhibition games:
- 2021: 1-2
- 2020: NA
- 2019: 0-4
- 2018: 3-1
- 2017: 2-2
NFL preseason betting offers
NFL preseason betting notes
Preseason games can be tough to predict on an overall basis. Playing time for starters is typically limited as many coaches will prioritize health over results in games that don’t matter. That said, you can improve your chances of success with betting on the preseason by following a few tips.
Review head coach records
Take some time to review head coach records in the preseason to see if particular coaches approach the games with an eye toward victory versus simply rotating through players they want to evaluate for potential spots on the regular-season roster.
Pregame comments can provide clues
If you’ve zeroed in on some games, review game previews and team news to get information about the club. Coaches will often provide some information on what’s to come and expected playing time for certain players. These little nuggets of intel can be useful as you make your betting decisions.
Know when to take a pass
Following the Hall of Fame Game, there will be three full weeks of preseason action. Over that span, you could find some games that are worth betting on, but there will also be others that you can’t make heads or tails of. For the games that fall into the latter category, you can always take a pass.
No matter when you bet on the NFL, there are no guarantees. That statement is even more true when it comes to wagering on the preseason. While it’s exciting to have real live NFL action back, remember to keep your expectations in check and to always bet responsibly.
