Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Thursday 8/1/19
HOF Notes - Broncos vs. Falcons
Denver Broncos
Head Coach: Vic Fangio
Quarterback Rotation: Drew Lock, Kevin Hogan, Brett Rypien (Rookie)
Following a pair of losing seasons, the Broncos brought in a first-time head coach in Vic Fangio and a Super Bowl winning quarterback in Joe Flacco to try and turn things around. Denver is four seasons removed from capturing a Super Bowl title, but the lack of a steady quarterback since the retirement of Peyton Manning has been the issue.
Flacco will try to resurrect his career and the Broncos' franchise as Denver enters the preseason with a solid 6-2 SU and 5-2-1 ATS mark the last two exhibition campaigns. However, Flacco will not suit up on Thursday as former Missouri standout Drew Lock will receive playing time after Kevin Hogan starts.
For updated injury reports on the Broncos, we suggest following Ryan O'Halloran and Kyle Fredrickson via Twitter.
Atlanta Falcons
Head Coach: Dan Quinn
Quarterback Rotation: Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Kurt Benkert
The Falcons suffered through a rough start in 2018 by losing nine of their first 13 games before winning their final three to finish at 7-9. Atlanta missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons in spite of stars Matt Ryan and Julio Jones not missing a single game.
Running back Devonta Freeman was limited to two games due to various injuries as the offense was held to 20 points or less in seven of nine losses.
Atlanta hasn't put much stock into the preseason the last two seasons by not winning once in eight tries, while scoring a total of 27 points in four exhibition losses in 2018.
For updated injury reports on the Broncos, we suggest following D. Orlando Ledbetter and Jason Butt via Twitter.
Preseason Coaching Stats
Vic Fangio, Denver – First preseason game
Dan Quinn, Atlanta – 5-11 SU, 5-11 ATS, 5-11 O/U
Preseason Results - Last Two Years
Denver
2018 (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS, 3-1 O/U)
Denver (+1, 36.5) 28 vs. Minnesota 42
Denver (-3, 43) 23 vs. Chicago 24
Denver (+3, 43) 29 at Washington 17
Denver (PK, 36) 21 at Arizona 10
2017 (4-0 SU, 3-0-1 ATS, 2-2 O/U)
Denver (+1, 36.5) 24 at Chicago 17
Denver (+3, 39.5) 33 at San Francisco 14
Denver (-3, 42.5) 20 vs. Green Bay 17
Denver (-2.5, 36) 30 vs. Arizona 2
Atlanta
2018 (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS, 1-3 O/U)
Atlanta (+4, 36.5) 0 at N.Y. Jets 17
Atlanta (+2, 42.5) 14 vs. Kansas City 28
Atlanta (+4, 38) 6 at Jacksonville 17
Atlanta (+2, 36.5) 7 vs. Miami 34
2017 (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS, 1-3 O/U)
Atlanta (+1, 36) 20 at Miami 23
Atlanta (-3, 39) 13 at Pittsburgh 17
Atlanta (-3.5, 44) 14 vs. Arizona 24
Atlanta (-3, 37) 7 vs. Jacksonville 13
Hall of Fame Game History & Trends
Recent Trends:
-- Atlanta is making its first appearance in the HOF game since a 21-17 victory over San Diego in 1994.
-- Denver owns a 1-2 record in the HOF game with its last appearance coming in 2004 with a 20-17 loss to Washington.
-- The NFC won five straight HOF games when facing a team from the AFC prior to Baltimore's 17-16 triumph over Chicago in 2018 .
-- The 'under' cashed in last year's HOF contest between Baltimore and Chicago as the two teams combined for two touchdowns in the final three quarters.
-- Four of the last five HOF games have been decided by four points or less.