NFL Preseason Kicks Off

Sure, preseason football may be a bit of a tease…and chances are tonight’s inaugural game features limited action from any household names. But who cares? We’ve officially got an NFL game to watch tonight 😎

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio will once again play host to the annual Hall of Fame Game, kicking off the NFL’s 104th season. Facing off in this year’s preseason opener are two of the more newsworthy teams of the past decade — the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns 📰

• Unfortunately for fans of those two organizations, more often than not they’ve been newsworthy for their ineptitude, rather than their success on the field. Over the last 10 seasons, they have the second and third worst records in the league 🤢

But the perennial punching bags have both leveled up, and the two franchises are entering this season with something they haven’t had much of recently — optimism. And as is so often the case in this league, that all the starts with the QBs 💪

• Let’s start in New York, with a man who has made more headlines this offseason than any other player in the league. Which makes sense when you’re 4x-MVP Aaron Rodgers switching teams for the first time in your 19-year career. Even though it pissed the man off, can you blame HBO for being interested?

With a top-five defense and a pair of rookie offensive stars in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, the Jets often looked a QB away from something special last season. So even in a brutally tough AFC East, its easy to understand why the addition of Rodgers has many people bullish on Gang Green this year 📈

• New York has hit double-digit wins just once since 2010, but that’s not stopping oddsmakers from giving the Jets a win total over/under of 9.5, with -134 odds to reach the postseason. And expectations are seemingly growing with each dazzling throw in camp 👇

Unfortunately, we won’t get to see Rodgers attempt his first pass in a Jets uniform tonight. Instead, it will be Zach Wilson drawing the start under center, and all eyes will surely be on the former second-overall pick for any signs of improvement 🤔

Like the Jets, the Browns are banking on improved quarterback play being their ticket back to the postseason this year. Oddsmakers are seemingly on board, giving them +112 odds to reach the playoffs with a win total over/under of 9.5 👀

• Deshaun Watson returned to the field late last season following a highly-publicized, lengthy absence, and the rust was evident. But regardless of any personal reservations you may have about the guy, it’s not difficult to envision him returning to Pro Bowl form this year now that he’s had a normal offseason under his belt. And his play in camp is already impressing 👇

If Cleveland can get the version of Watson they're paying for this season ($230M guaranteed), he’ll link with Nick Chubb and Amari Cooper to form one of the most dangerous offensive attacks in the league 💥

• Sorry Browns fans, but the wait to see that trio in action this season will be just a bit longer. Tonight will instead feature heavy doses of Kellen Mond and rookie fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center, but if it’s any consolation, anyone who watched a UCLA games last year knows that DTR can put on a show 😎

The Browns could be trotting out Johnny Manziel at QB for all I care — if a football game has lines, I’m checking it out. And here’s how those odds are looking ahead of tonight’s showdown 👇

Hall of Fame Game Betting Preview

• Spread: Jets -1.5

• Moneyline: Jets -135, Browns +115

• Over/Under: 33.5

• When: 8PM EST on NBC

Trivia Question: Who was the last QB to make a Pro Bowl while on the Jets?

For My Parlay Gurus

Betting preseason football is all about gut feelings, and even though he’s not even suiting up, something just feels right about the Aaron Rodgers’ era in New York starting with a Jets loss 😅

I’m going with a Browns win, and you know I’m always rooting for the over — check it out 👇

• Browns ML vs. Jets: +115

• Over 33.5 Total Points: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $310 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: Brett Favre made the Pro Bowl in his lone season with the Jets in 2008, despite having as many interceptions as passing TDs (22)

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