The NFL is back, kicking off its preseason in Canton, Ohio. While the world is eagerly anticipating Aaron Rodgers and — to a lesser extent — Deshaun Watson, most sports bettors know the first preseason game is about the backups. Rodgers vs. Watson will have to wait, as we have Dorian Thompson-Robinson versus Zach Wilson. The worst thing you can possibly do before betting this game would be to assume that, if Robert Saleh won preseason games with Wilson as the starter, then certainly he can again as a backup. Here is the best way to play tonight’s Hall of Fame Game wrapped up in a nice Hall of Fame Game same-game parlay — also some reasoning as to why the Jets make an awful play.
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Jets-Browns Hall of Fame Game Parlay: Hard Knocks Curse Looms
While most books are not offering anything more than a solo play on the side or total, there are premade same-game parlays with both. The spread below 3 points is meaningless with zero edge provided on either side, so the better play is picking the winner, along with going over the total. Let’s start with Saleh and this idea that his Jets are some preseason powerhouse. Yes, it is true that they are 5-0-1 in his two preseasons, but this is their first time playing the Hall of Fame Game coming off Hard Knocks. Say what you will about the show, but it is a proven distraction for teams playing this early. Over the past two years, teams appearing on that show and playing in the Hall of Fame Game are 1-6 straight up and 0-6-1 against the spread. That is a pretty damning statement that an already offensively challenged Jets team will have to overcome.
Rodgers is not going to play much, if at all, tonight and cannot be counted on as some major boost to this offense. The better his first (only?) series is, the quicker he gets pulled. Wilson and Tim Boyle actually clog up the quarterback room for tonight, pushing preseason hero Chris Streveler to the fourth-string spot. He was a big reason the Jets won so many preseason games, but it comes at a cost. NFL squads coming off preseasons of three-plus wins — like the Jets last year — are just 3-13-1 against the spread in the Hall of Fame Game. The Jets have too much history working against them in a home game for the Browns.
Best Hall of Fame Game Parlay: Cleveland Browns Moneyline + Total Over 31.5 Points (+240, FanDuel)
