The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will kick off the NFL season with the annual Hall of Fame Game on Thursday evening in Canton, Ohio. The Panthers are currently listed as 1.5-point favorites.
Preseason NFL betting requires a different approach than the regular season due to frequently changing rosters and uncertainty about player availability. Coaches often rotate players heavily, with key players sometimes sitting out multiple games. Identifying which players will receive playing time is crucial for making informed betting decisions.
Several betting options are available for the Hall of Fame Game, mirroring those used in the regular season. The moneyline bet involves selecting the outright winner of the game. For example, if a team is a favorite at -120, a $12 bet would yield a $10 profit. An underdog at +100 would return a $10 profit on a $10 wager.
The spread bet, set by bookmakers to create a more even playing field, accounts for a projected margin of victory. The current spread of Panthers -1.5 means Carolina must win by at least two points for a bet on them to cover the spread. Conversely, a bet on the Cardinals to cover would win if Arizona wins outright or loses by only one point.
Another common bet is the over/under, also known as the total. This wager is based on the combined total points scored by both teams. The Hall of Fame Game total is set at 35.5 points. A bet on the Over wins if 36 or more points are scored, while a bet on the Under wins if 35 points or fewer are scored.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young warms up during the NFL football team’s fan fest on Friday, July 31, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C.