For those wanting to do away with the NFL preseason, the Hall of Fame game offers plenty of evidence for that. Typically a snoozefest featuring more players who will be looking for jobs when the season starts rather than ones on an active roster, the game can get downright boring.
But after waiting months football is back, and that’s the best news. There is more emphasis on exhibition games with the number reduced by one ahead of last year’s schedule and both the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars will introduce new head coaches, though they both have previous experience. The Jags want to move far, far away from the Urban Meyer fiasco of last year turning to former Super Bowl winner Doug Pederson while the Raiders hired former New England assistant Josh McDaniels.
The 2022 Hall of Fame Game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 4, and will be televised on NBC.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders Odds
Las Vegas Raiders +1
Jacksonville Jaguars -1
Over/Under 30.5
Odds Analysis
There is a reason why preseason odds are vanilla. It’s flat out hard to handicap games when teams have expanded rosters and work as far down the depth chart as they possibly can. After all, for the teams it’s not about making money for their backers rather it’s about getting prepared for the rigors of a long season.
And last season couldn’t have been any longer for the Jags basically throwing the entire campaign down the drain and wasting a year of Trevor Lawrence’s development under the failed Meyer experiment. They secured the No. 1 overall pick with their 3-14 record, though they closed 2021 with a win over Indianapolis as a two-touchdown dog. They also beat Buffalo catching 14.5-points but lost eight games in between. Not only were the Jags the worst team in the NFL, they were the worst at the betting window going 5-12 ATS.
The Raiders dealt with their own issues involving a head coach, but it was mild in comparison. Jon Gruden resigned after five games with Rich Bisaccia taking over. They won their final four games to finish 10-7 sneaking into the postseason for the first time in five years and just their second appearance since their 2002 Super Bowl season.
It remains to be seen what impact the coaching change will have. The team wanted Bisaccia full time but management instead went with McDaniels, who was 11-17 in less than two seasons with the Broncos. He also posted a 2-6 record in preseason games.
Jacksonville Jaguars
There is plenty for the Jags to work on after finishing near the bottom in most statistical categories last season. The development of Lawrence was stunted by Meyer and the offense overall stagnated because of it. Pederson made a star and Super Bowl MVP of journeyman Nick Foles and being a former QB he will impart that knowledge on his young signal caller. The only problem is that we’re unlikely to see the strides made. Instead with a battle between C.J. Beathard, Jake Luton and Kyle Sloter for the backup that’s where the most attention will be paid.
When wagering on preseason games it always pays to stay informed and waiting to place a wager can be a blessing. Teams rarely divulge plans, but nosy beat writers are always eager to post team information. Coaches are motivated by different things in the preseason. Veteran clubs are looking for depth players with starters rarely playing. Teams like the Jags need to develop chemistry with a bunch of new faces. The NFL is a copycat league, though, and watching the Rams win the Super Bowl last season with starters not taking a preseason snap could be the new wave.
Las Vegas Raiders
The message for McDaniels is clear: don’t screw it up. The Raiders built a solid team on both sides of the football with the club taking a step last season by qualifying for the postseason. They were in the middle of the pack offensively averaging nearly 364 yards and 22 points. And like a majority of teams the Raiders are looking for a new backup QB. They had an experienced veteran in Marcus Mariota last season, but will have one of Jarrett Stidham, Nick Mullens and Chase Garbers in 2022. All three are trying to separate themselves in what has been a close battle through training camp.
This has been mentioned before, but it’s worth noting again. Being reactionary, defenses have an advantage in the preseason running to the football instead of a designed play. The total hit the board at 30.5 with only four of the previous 13 HOF games exceeding that number. In fact, the last two years we saw a combined total of just 43 points. It’s worth noting that the Raiders franchise has played this game three times previously in each stage of their existence going undefeated. The original Oakland Raiders beat Dallas, 20-13, in 1979, the LA Raiders beat Green Bay 19-3 in 1993, and following their return to Oakland knocked off Philadelphia 16-10 in 2006.
Jaguars vs. Raiders Prediction
I do think the Jags have a little more incentive to win this game looking to change the culture after last year’s debacle. And hungry players bring a different attitude even to a meaningless game, though it isn’t meaningless to guys fighting for a roster spot.
Our Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars -1 / UNDER 30.5
