The 2025 NFL preseason officially kicked off Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, as the Los Angeles Chargers faced the Detroit Lions in the annual Hall of Fame Game. In a contest marking the return of professional football, the Chargers established an early dominance, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The game serves as the traditional curtain-raiser for the NFL season and a centerpiece of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week. This year’s festivities hold special significance for the Chargers, as legendary tight end Antonio Gates is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 2. The Class of 2025 also includes cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen, and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe.
As is customary for preseason openers, both teams rested their primary starters, giving fans a look at their roster depth. For the Chargers, backup quarterback Trey Lance made an immediate impact, leading the team on an early scoring drive. He connected with tight end Will Dissly for a 5-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring. Later in the quarter, running back Kimani Vidal punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to extend the Chargers’ lead to 14-0. At the time of reporting, Lance had completed 6 of 8 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown, while the Lions’ offense struggled, committing two turnovers.
This matchup is the first time the Chargers and Lions have met in the Hall of Fame Game. According to the Chargers’ official website, it marks the first appearance in Canton for both franchises in over three decades, with the Chargers last playing in 1994 and the Lions in 1991. It is the Chargers’ third trip overall and the fourth for the Lions.
Both teams enter the 2025 season with high expectations. The Lions are coming off a historic season where they won a franchise-record 15 games and secured their second consecutive NFC North title before a playoff exit. The Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, are looking to build on an 11-6 record from last season.
The game’s broadcast on NBC and Peacock featured a special tribute to a broadcasting legend. Brent Musburger, the 86-year-old recipient of this year’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, was scheduled to join announcers Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth in the booth for the second half. Musburger, known for his iconic “You are looking live…” opening on CBS’s *The NFL Today*, has had a storied career spanning more than five decades.
For fans looking to follow the action, the game is available nationally on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Radio coverage for the Chargers is available on KFI AM-640. According to Fox Sports, betting lines favored the Lions slightly at -1.5 points, with a combined scoring over/under set at 32.5 points.
While the final score is secondary to player evaluation, the Hall of Fame Game provides a welcome return to football and sets the stage for a weekend celebrating some of the sport’s all-time greats.
