NFL Hall of Fame Game Betting Picks – Falcons vs. Broncos

Written by:
Phil Simon
Published on:
Aug/01/2019

We will all forget the names of a lot of players that are on the field Thursday when the NFL opens up the 2019 preseason slate and the league’s 100th anniversary season in the annual Hall of Fame Game.


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The Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos get the festivities started from Tom Benson Stadium in Canton with both teams looking to get back to the playoffs. It’s been a few years for the Broncos, who turned to longtime assistant Vic Fangio in his first head coaching assignment. Most if not all of the regulars on both sides won’t play so handicapping the bottom of the rosters is a factor when wagering on this game. And you can do that at BookMaker.eu.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos

Date and Time: Thursday, August 1, 2019, 8 p.m. ET

Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH

Opening NFL Odds: Denver -2.5, O/U 34

Falcons vs. Broncos TV Coverage: NBC

Odds Analysis

Typical of most early preseason games the line has Denver favored by 2.5-points with the total set at 34. Bettors know just as much as oddsmakers at this point, so with a little research there is money to be made. The HOF game has been a low-scoring affair over the years with offenses still learning the playbook and a majority of personnel playing together for the first time. The advantage belongs to the defense, which is more reactionary, and the value is with the under.

Falcons

Atlanta knows what it has in the passing game with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Austin Hooper and all the other pass catchers. Those guys will not play, but Dan Quinn will look to ignite a run game that failed last season. New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will work out the kinks in the ground attack behind an offensive line that needs to establish itself. And there’s no better place to do that than in the preseason.

Quarterback play is always crucial in the preseason and the Falcons have the same three guys back to take the snaps this year. Ryan will not play leaving the chores to backup Matt Schaub and former undrafted free agent Kurt Benkert. There is something to be said about continuity at the most important position. The Falcons have it and the Broncos don’t. We don’t even know if Schaub will play on Thursday, and if he does it’s not going to be for long.

Benkert played all four exhibition games last season completing 28 of 64 pass attempts for 347 yards. He was sacked seven times and tossed four picks without a touchdown, and he still hung around the team the entire season. The coaching staff must like him. He will play with guys further up the depth chart on Thursday so we could see better numbers.

Broncos

The Broncos have a new coach in Fangio, new offensive coordinator and four new quarterbacks on the roster. Joe Flacco is the starter, but he won’t play. The battle for the backup job is between Kevin Hogan and top draft pick Drew Lock. Fangio announced Hogan will start with Lock and Brett Rypien seeing action. Technically Hogan isn’t new to the team. He spent last year as the No. 3 QB and was elevated to backup later in the year, though he didn’t take a snap.

Hogan played eight games with the Browns during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and had a nice preseason with the Redskins last year throwing for 467 yards and five touchdowns before being released. “Just play good. Throw the ball where its’ supposed to go, be good with your checks and be efficient,” Fangio said of his expectations for Hogan.

While Atlanta is a playoff caliber team, the Broncos have a lot to figure out after suffering back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since the early 1970s. For Fangio and his staff it’s all about evaluating players.

Bet Falcons vs. Broncos at BookMaker.eu

We all know preseason games are meaningless and there is no correlation between what happens in the regular year. But the Falcons haven’t won an exhibition contest the last two years. Quinn obviously doesn’t put a lot of stock in these matchups, but it is nice to win every once in a while. And while most new coaches are looking to put a stamp on their career, Fangio is more about seeing what his players can do and doesn’t appear to be overly concerned about wins and losses. We’ve seen more than 33 points scored just twice in the last seven HOF games and there doesn’t appear to be that many on the field Thursday. The Under is a smart play and I’m leaning toward the Falcons and the points.

NFL Score Prediction: Falcons 16, Broncos 13

Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today.

- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com Special Contributor (Article Courtesy of Bookmaker.eu)

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