The Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons kick off the 2019 NFL Preseason on Thursday, August 1. The annual NFL Hall of Fame Game takes place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Will the Broncos cover as a favorite? Or, will the Falcons show up in the first preseason game of the year? Check out the NFL odds, analysis, and a free pick for Broncos-Falcons!
Broncos vs Falcons 2019 NFL Hall of Fame Game Odds, Prediction & Pick
- When: Thursday, August 1 at 8:000pm ET
- Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH
- TV: NBC
- ATS Odds: Broncos -2 ½
- Over/Under Total Odds: 34
Why Atlanta Falcons are a good bet at +2 ½?
Although this is the preseason, the Atlanta Falcons might have an edge over the Denver Broncos. Neither team will play their starters for very long, which means the backups could determine who wins and covers.
Atlanta backup quarterback Matt Schaub has starter’s experience. Schaub used to sit under center for the Houston Texans. He also knows Atlanta’s offense very well. Because Schaub, and second-year pro Kurt Benkert, won’t have to deal with Denver’s first unit defense, they could lead the Falcons to an upset win ATS and possibly on the moneyline.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Total Yards: 389.1
- Passing Yards: 290.8
- Rushing Yards: 98.3
- Points Scored: 25.9
- Field Goal %: 96.2
- Total Yards: 384.5
- Passing Yards: 259.6
- Rushing Yards: 124.9
- Points Scored: 26.4
- Field Goal %: 100
Why Denver Broncos are a good bet at -2 ½?
It’s unlikely Denver plays new starting quarterback Joe Flacco more than a couple of series in this. Flacco must get some playing time, though. Not only must he learn a brand new offense, he must also familiarize himself with the offensive line and the receivers. That requires in-game experience.
Even if Flacco sits after a series, rookie Drew Lock should get playing time. Lock has some big time skills. He tore up SEC defenses while throwing the pigskin for the Missouri Tigers last year. The Broncos are also ridiculously deep at running back with Royce Freeman, Phillip Lindsey, Devontae Booker, and Devontae Jackson. All four could have success on Thursday.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Total Yards: 350.1
- Passing Yards: 230.9
- Rushing Yards: 119.2
- Points Scored: 20.6
- Field Goal %: 80
- Total Yards: 365.1
- Passing Yards: 245.6
- Rushing Yards: 119.6
- Points Scored: 21.8
- Field Goal %: 83.9
2019 NFL Hall of Fame Game Betting Trends for Broncos vs Falcons
- Broncos are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 Thursday games
- Broncos are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 road games
- Broncos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall
- Falcons are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Thursday games
- Falcons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games
- Falcons are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall
- Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf
Broncos vs Falcons 2019 NFL Hall of Fame Game Final Analysis
It’s tough to handicap NFL Preseason games. One thing that makes it easier is to study coaching trends. Although this is Denver’s Vic Fangio’s first head coaching job, Dan Quinn has been the head coach at Atlanta since 2015. Quinn has a predictable way of dealing with the NFL Preseason.
The Falcons went 2-2 ATS during the preseason in 2015. The Falcons also went 2-2 ATS in the preseason the following year. In 2017, Atlanta went 0-4 against the spread.
Then last season, Atlanta again went 0-4 against the spread. Quinn uses the preseason to ready his team for the regular season. Because Quinn’s skill players mustn’t get real playing team before the season starts, he figures to do the same thing in the NFL Hall of Fame Game.
Joe Flacco only has a month to get ready for the regular season. He should get some playing time on Thursday night. Matt Ryan won’t get any playing time. That’s the difference. The Broncos win and cover.
NFL Hall of Fame Game Betting Pick: Denver Broncos -2 ½
