Lions vs Chargers Prediction 7-31-25 NFL Picks

The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions meet Thursday in the NFL Hall of Fame Game Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Here’s a Lions vs Chargers Prediction. This article will include a Lions vs Chargers Pick.

Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview

The Chargers won 11 games in Jim Harbaugh’s first season and have to believe they’re a contender in the AFC this year. It was the most games the Chargers have won since the 2018 season.

Justin Herbert is only 27 years old and already has 21,000 career passing yards and 137 touchdowns. He has help in the backfield with the additions of Najee Harris and first round pick Omarion Hampton. Ladd McConkey is coming off a great rookie season, and Tre Harris adds depth at the receiver position. The offensive line got better by bringing in Super Bowl champion Mekhi Becton.

Defensively, Khalil Mack is back for another season and Daiyan Henley is a promising young linebacker. The concerns are the Chargers leave a lot to be desired on the defensive line and outside of Derwin James, the secondary can be beat. Still, the Chargers are explosive offensively and have one of the best coaches in the league. The Chargers should push for back-to-back playoff trips for the first time since the 2009 season.

Detroit Lions Betting Preview

The Lions have won a combined 27 games in the last two seasons and have improved their win total in each of the last four seasons. If that trend continues, the Lions should be thinking Super Bowl in 2025.

Jared Goff has established himself in Detroit and has probably the best running back tandem in the NFL to lean on in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league, Jameson Williams is coming off a breakout season and Sam LaPorta has been fantastic through two seasons. The Lions offensive line takes a hit with Kevin Zeitler and Frank Ragnow leaving, but there’s oodles of playmakers and scoring potential.

Defensively, the Lions will look a lot better at full strength. Injuries were brutal at the end of the year. The return of Aidan Hutchinson is tremendous, along with guys like Alim McNeill and Jack Campbell. Drafting Tyliek Williams adds depth up front to potentially allow guys to ease into their returns. Assuming the injury gods are kinder this season, there’s not a glaring weakness on this Lions defense.

The concern for the Lions is the fact they’re breaking in two new coordinators, and that creates potential growing pains. Also, it feels like the Lions have blown two great chances to make the Super Bowl, and windows don’t stay open long in the NFL.

Lions vs Chargers Prediction

For preseason games, I put the bulk of my focus into backup quarterbacks. With so many players coming in and out, it’s the one position that is more consistent and is the one position that controls so much. Behind Goff, Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen don’t move the needle much for me.

For the Chargers, Taylor Heinicke is a veteran who has thrown for more than 6,000 yards and has 29 NFL starts. Trey Lance was a former top-five pick and is still trying to prove he belongs in the league. DJ Uiagalelei showed flashes at Clemson and has playmaking ability with his legs. You can argue the Chargers may have the best collection of quarterbacks in the league. I’ll take a shot with the points in the HOF Game.