2021 Hall of Fame Game Odds: Cowboys vs. Steelers Picks & Predictions
NFL Hall of Fame Game Odds
| Cowboys Odds | +1.5 |
| Steelers Odds | -1.5 |
| Over/Under | 32.5 |
| Date | Thursday, Aug. 5 |
| Time | 8:00 pm ET |
| TV | FOX |
| Odds accurate as of Wednesday at BetMGM | |
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Thursday night, the National Football League will play its first preseason game since 2019. The annual Hall of Fame Game will kickoff from Canton, Ohio at 8:00 p.m. ET, featuring two of the most historic franchises in league history—the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have combined to win 11 super bowls.
Although first-string players rarely play more than one series in the Hall of Fame Game, there is still value to be found from an NFL betting perspective. Let’s take a look at the publicly-known plans for the game, and how motivated each team will be to emerge with a victory in this contest.
Cowboys vs. Steelers Preseason Preview
Cowboys Head Coach, Mike McCarthy is entering his second season as the leader of the franchise. After averaging just under 10 wins per season in 13 years with the Green Bay Packers, some pundits are giving McCarthy a pass for a disappointing 6-10 first year in Dallas. Members of the media have used the excuse that the lack of a preseason and unusual offseason workout programs made it difficult for first year regimes to find success. However, the team with arguably the most roster turnover in the league—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—won the Super Bowl last year, which, at the very least, makes that claim a little bit dubious.
Nonetheless, McCarthy has an inordinate amount of motivation to win this football game on Thursday night. In the grand scheme of things, this is a meaningless preseason affair, but he will be looking to gain all of the positive momentum that he can, while avoiding as much negative press coverage as possible in the process. A win would certainly help him accomplish both of those goals.
Neither Dak Prescott or Ben Roethlisberger will see any snaps in this matchup. However, the backup quarterback options in this game have something to prove and should be fully engaged in putting on a strong performance. Cooper Rush, Garrett Gilbert, and Ben DiNucci are battling for a roster spot and the right to succeed Prescott in the event that he experiences health issues in the upcoming year. Mason Rudolph is likely a lock to be Roethlisberger’s backup this season, but the addition of Dwayne Haskins to the preseason roster should motivate Rudolph to play well during his time on the field in this one.
Hall of Fame Game Picks
Bettors should obviously proceed with caution in any preseason football game, due to the lack of certainty surrounding how seriously each team will try to win the game. In most instances, a successful preseason game is one in which a head coach does not lose anyone to injury. Still, McCarthy and the Cowboys should be eager to start the year on a winning note after an incredibly underwhelming 2020 campaign. If choosing to bet on this game, place a small wager on the Cowboys.
Pick: Cowboys +1.5
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Only once since 2008 has the Hall of Fame Game eclipsed 40 points. Teams usually play their second- and third-string players for the majority of the contest, which limits plays down the field, and has resulted in lower-scoring games in recent years. In the last nine times that this event has been held, the total has gone over 32.5 points four times, with an average total of 30.6 points scored during that stretch.
Considering that this is the first preseason game in two years, both head coaches are likely to be extremely conservative in this matchup, utilizing this opportunity as a way to essentially hold a full-contact practice against an opposing team. The main objective for both of these squads will be to avoid injuries, which means a lot of running the ball, which means few clock stoppages, and few chances for big plays that result in points being put on the board in a hurry. These coaches are also unlikely to push the envelope late in the fourth quarter if it is a close game. They might open the playbook up slightly, but do not expect high-risk hail mary passes or deep throws down the field to try and win a meaningless preseason game.
The under has some value here, but again, bettors should understand that wagering on preseason football carries an extra amount of risk compared to the more predictable atmosphere of the regular season.
Pick: Under 32.5 (-110)
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