It’s July, but football is back.
The Los Angeles Chargers open up the NFL calendar opposite the Detroit Lions for the Hall of Game on Thursday night as 1.5-point underdogs and +100 on the moneyline at Fanatics Sportsbook.
Don’t expect to see many starters for this matchup, although it looks like rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton will see some action.
The over/under for the game comes in at 33.5 at Fanatics Sportsbook.
Favorites are 8-7-3 against the spread in the last 18 games, and the Under has hit in just nine of those games.
The Over has cashed in the last three Hall of Fame games with an average of 38 total points, making the 33.5 a bit tastier.
Getting most of the snaps behind center is expected to be former 49ers bust Trey Lance for the Chargers and Hendon Hooker for the Lions.
With the game featuring two hard-nosed coaches that take games and practices more seriously than most, I don’t think either team folds it up here.
In fact, I’m targeting a bit more offense in this game than projected and prefer to wager on some prospects who came into the NFL with serious potential that has fallen on deaf ears.
Lance, in particular, is playing for his NFL life and will get an extended look by the Chargers.
As a sort of hedge in case Lance doesn’t play as much as we think, I’ll wager on any Chargers QB to throw a touchdown at -130 at FanDuel.
For another wager, target Kimal Vidal to go Over his rushing prop, coming in at 21.5 yards.
Vidal had previously been considered a future running back of the team after being drafted No. 181 overall out of Troy last year, but had a rough go as a rookie.
With Hampton drafted in the first round and Ryheim Sanders getting additional work as well as a rookie, Vidal is fighting for his NFL life.
This is a good spot for him to show out and put some good film on tape for other teams.
PICKS: Chargers to throw a passing touchdown (-130, FanDuel) | Vidal Over 21.5 rushing yards (-115, DraftKings)
Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he’s showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.