2018 NFL Preseason: Hall of Fame Game 

The NFL’s preseason gets underway on Thursday night, as Baltimore and Chicago meet as part of the festivities surrounding the inductions into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Bears and Ravens both have some questions to answer coming into the 2018 regular season, as the Bears welcome a new coach and have a second-year quarterback in Mitch Trubisky, and the Ravens have to figure out how much longer Joe Flacco will serve as a starting quarterback and how to incorporate rookie Lamar Jackson into the offense. We have a NFL betting preview for you to consider for this opening matchup in the pro football preseason.

2018 NFL Preseason: Hall of Fame Game 

Back at it. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/4OsrcjwZHC

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 30, 2018

Baltimore Ravens vs Chicago Bears

When: Thursday, August 2, 2018, 8:00pm ET Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, TV: NBC Sports Radio: No National Broadcast Live Stream: NBCSports.com NFL Odds: Baltimore -1 / O/U 33.5

Why should you bet on the Ravens?

It’s been three years since the Baltimore Ravens have qualified for the postseason, and the presence of Lamar Jackson on the roster will give Flacco some additional motivation. If Jackson can show some flash in the preseason, there could be a brewing quarterback controversy, particularly if Flacco struggles. The Ravens also have Robert Griffin III to add some quarterback depth and some intrigue. They brought in some fresh faces at wide receiver, and a group including Jaleel Scott, Willie Sneed, John Brown and Michael Crabtree all are looking for time running routes. Rookie tight end Hayden Hurst has a shot to take the starting job and complete a new look for the Ravens offensively. On the defensive side of the ball, Jimmy Smith looks to return in good health, which will help the team out. Cornerback Anthony Averett comes to the team from the Alabama defense and could pick up a nickel spot or even a starting job, depending on how the secondary shakes out. The defense has been the better unit for Baltimore the past few years, though, and the questions are really for the offense to answer going into 2018.

Why should you bet on Chicago?

New head coach Mike Nagy was the Kansas City offensive coordinator and now is the latest to take on the challenge of restoring the Chicago Bears to their glory from the 1980s. Expect to see no more than a series out of Trubisky, as backup quarterbacks Tyler Bray and Chase Daniel will duke it out for the #2 spot, and wideouts Anthony Miller, Taylor Gabriel, Allen Robinson and Kevin White will be competing for starting time, and rookie James Daniels, selected in the second round, will be looking for a slot in the starting O-line. On defense, the Bears desperately need some depth, with rookie Roquan Smith and Aaron Lynch expected to make contributions in the linebacking corps. It’s been a long time since the Bears have had a winning season, and head coaches with offensive philosophies (Marc Trestman) and defensive philosophies (John Fox) have both struggled in the Second City. Finding some stability within a committed system is crucial for the Bears, and we’ll see if they can make some strides in this preseason.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I’m excited to see what Lamar Jackson brings to the Ravens this year, whether it involves pushing Flacco to perform more effectively or making some speed plays as a wide receiver or on end-around plays. The Ravens have a shot to compete in the AFC North, as Pittsburgh shores up their defense and the Bengals look poised to drop. The Bears seem a little further away from contention, particularly since the Packers and the Vikings — both Super Bowl contenders — are in the NFC North with them. This Hall of Fame Game will really consist of the two sides feeling each other out — but I think the Ravens have better depth of talent, so I’m predicting a final score of Baltimore 24, Chicago 16.