Why bother spending hours handicapping the NFL wagering odds when you can read everything you need to know about every game here at BookMaker sportsbook. We break down trends, line movements, injuries and more in our betting previews so you can cash your bet at BookMaker today! The 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams will take place Sunday, August 7 at 8 p.m. ET at Fawcett Stadium.

NFL Football Betting Odds: The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is played annually and marks the beginning of the NFL preseason.

The contest is held on Sunday, August 7, in Canton, Ohio at Fawcett Stadium. It wraps up the Hall of Fame induction weekend, which begins with Saturday’s ceremony. NFL wagering odds including a spread, total and moneyline will be offered at BookMaker sportsbook for this contest.

From 1971 to 2008, the Hall of Fame Game matchup featured opponents from each of the two conferences. The Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills bucked the trend in 2009 in recognition of the 50th season of the charter members of the American Football League. But the tradition returned in 2010 with the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals squaring off.

If an expansion team enters the league then it is showcased in the Hall of Fame Game. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers played in 1995 as inaugural members of the NFL, as did the Houston Texans in 2002.

For just the second time since 1971, this year’s Hall of Fame Game will pit two clubs from the same conference against each other. St. Louis and Chicago will battle and it could be because former Bears defensive end Richard Dent and former Rams running back Marshall Faulk are both being enshrined into the Hall this year.

From an NFL odds perspective, bettors want to be careful when playing the Hall of Fame Game. Because these two teams have to play five preseason games compared to four, regulars are often on the sideline for most of this game.That makes handicapping even more imperative.

Depth is a key area to examine and teams with quality, veteran backup quarterbacks are usually a good bet. Coaching motivation is also something to look at. Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz used to run the “Greatest Show on Turf” in St. Louis so he may be eager to stick it to his former team.

Favorites are 2-2-1 against the spread in the last five Hall of Fame Games. The Cowboys were positioned as 2.5-point underdogs in last year’s contest against the Bengals and won 16-7. The game went ‘under’ the offered total of 32.5.

St. Louis has appeared in three Hall of Fame Games and holds a 2-1 record. The Rams earned a 17-10 win over Miami in 2001 -- their last appearance at Fawcett.

Chicago has never lost a Hall of Fame Game. The Bears are a flawless 5-0 with the most recent victory coming against the Dolphins in 2005. They have never won by fewer than six points. NFL wagering odds in 2011 should favor this team because of the trend and the fact that it is the superior team overall.

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