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It's that time of year, sports fans: football is back.
The Lions and Chargers squared off in the NFL's annual Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night, with Los Angeles coming out on top 34-7. The first preseason game of the season precedes the 2025 Hall of Fame inductions on Saturday, Aug. 2.
While the starters for each team didn't play much on Thursday, former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance made a statement as he battles for the backup quarterback job in Los Angeles, throwing for 120 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters. A number of players in the secondary, including Nikko Reed and Myles Purchase, also had strong performances, coming up with big pass breakups and interceptions.
Participating in the Hall of Fame game means the Lions and Chargers will have four preseason games instead of the usual three. The teams will have an extra 60 minutes of live reps to give to players looking to make the 53-man roster, which will be finalized by Aug. 26.
Both Detroit and Los Angeles enter the season with championship aspirations. Lions' quarterback Jared Goff is coming off a career year in 2024 and will look to guide the team to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. The Chargers are in their second year under head coach Jim Harbaugh, who hopes to ride a run-first, defensive-minded philosophy to a Lombardi trophy.
The Sporting News tracked the live score, updates, and highlights from Lions vs. Chargers in the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game.
Lions vs. Chargers final score
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| Lions | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Chargers | 14 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 34 |
Lions vs. Chargers highlights from NFL's 2025 Hall of Fame Game
All times Eastern
10:49 p.m. — Myles Purchase puts an exclamation point on this one!
Myles Purchase caps off the night with a wild INT for the @Chargers!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/O0uWNaKqvr
Chargers 34, Lions 7
10:40 p.m. — Touchdown! Vidal runs in another score to put the game on ice for the Chargers.
Kimani Vidal with his second TD of the game!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/mYdg18nCHN
10:34 p.m. — DJ Uiagalelei is in the game for the Chargers at quarterback. The undrafted rookie is battling to make the 53-man roster.
10:20 p.m. — Hooker gets stuffed on fourth down, and the Chargers take over on downs
End of third quarter: Chargers 27, Lions 7
10:13 p.m. — Hendon Hooker is in the game at quarterback for the Lions. He and Allen are battling for the back up job behind Jared Goff.
Chargers 27, Lions 7
10:07 p.m. — Dicker hits another field goal as the Chargers stall in the red zone again.
10:01 p.m. — Lance continues to look sharp, completing a pass to Hassan Haskins to move the chains. The Chargers are driving again with five minutes to go in the third quarter.
Chargers 24, Lions 7
9:49 p.m. — Dicker hits a field goal to extend the Chargers lead.
9:46 p.m. — Jakobie Keeney-James muffs a punt, and the Chargers recover. Los Angeles is set up inside the 10-yard line after a Detroit turnover for the third time tonight.
The @Chargers recover the muffed punt!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/nRbOLOktkI
9:44 p.m. — The Chargers received the second half kick off and are driving. Lance is still in the game at quarterback.
Halftime: Chargers 21, Lions 7
9:17 p.m. — Touchdown! Lance finds KeAndre Lambert Smith on a slant route to put LA ahead by two scores again.
Trey Lance finds KeAndre Lambert-Smith for the TD!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ypV9fC3Ds7
Chargers 14, Lions 7
9:04 p.m. — Touchdown! A 15-play drive ends with Craig Reynolds plunging into the end zone.
A Craig Reynolds TD gets the @Lions on the board!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/7CTQ4oG4UE
9:03 p.m. — The Lions pick up a fourth-and-1 in the red zone, with Dominic Lovett hauling in a nice throw from Allen at the goal line.
8:53 p.m. — We have our first virtual measurement! The technology is new for this season, and the Lions pick up a first down.
Introducing the new virtual measurement system for first downs, which allows the NFL to accurately and efficiently measure the distance between the spotted ball and the line to gain. pic.twitter.com/QvlsSmWnSo
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
End of first quarter: Chargers 14, Lions 0
8:46 p.m. — Tony Jefferson intercepts Allen again, this time as he tries to throw a jump ball in the end zone.
Chargers 14, Lions 0
8:38 p.m. — Touchdown! Kimani Vidal powers into the end zone, as the Chargers get points off of the turnover.
Kimani Vidal would not be denied for another @Chargers TD!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/j6B2WeQw5l
8:36 p.m. — Nikko Reed picks off Kyle Allen and takes it back to the Detroit six-yard line.
PICKED! Nikko Reed takes it all the way down inside the 10 for the @Chargers.@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/oRjrdLzVcn
8:29 p.m. — Dicker missed only three field goals last year, but he drills the left upright on his first attempt of the 2025 season. The Chargers can't extend the lead.
8:20 p.m. — A couple of penalties back up Detroit, as the Lions go three and out on their first drive.
Chargers 7, Lions 0
8:17 p.m. — Touchdown! Trey Lance finds TE Will Dissly on a rollout for the game's first score.
The @Chargers open the scoring in 2025 on a Trey Lance TD to Will Dissly!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/UFpECJoBGN
8:16 p.m. — Rookie running back Omarion Hampton is running hard on this first drive, picking up some good yardage early.
8:11 p.m. — The Chargers' Cameron Dicker kicks off to Grant Stuard, who fumbles on the return. The ball was recovered by LA. What a way to start the season.
FUMBLE on the opening kickoff! The @Chargers recover.@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/cWHlHHoGzu
Pregame
8:00 p.m. — The 2025 Football Hall of Fame class is now being introduced. Kickoff is coming up.
7:50 p.m. — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is addressing the shooting that occurred earlier this week in New York City. The NFL headquarters were reported to be the primary target.
7:20 p.m. — Trey Lance will get the start tonight for the Chargers. Based in his 2024 stats, he's a primetime preseason performer.
Trey Lance COOKED last year in preseason 🔥
— Underdog Picks (@UnderdogPicks) July 31, 2025
✅ 188 passing yards
✅ 151 passing yards
✅ 323 passing yards pic.twitter.com/KKOzW6wgXx
7:15 p.m. — Football is back! The Lions take on the Chargers in the first preseason game of the year in less than an hour.
LET’S PLAY SOME FOOTBALL!! 🏈
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) July 31, 2025
⏰ 8 p.m. EST
📺 Stream on @SNFonNBC/@Peacock (Coverage starts at 7 p.m.)
🏈 @Lions vs. @Chargers@NovartisUS | #PFHOF25 pic.twitter.com/0H4Xs67VkI
Lions vs. Chargers start time today
- Date: Thursday, July 31
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
NFL preseason kicks off on Thursday, July 31 with the annual Hall of Fame game. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET and will feature the Lions and Chargers at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
How to watch the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
The 2025 NFL Hall of Fame game features the Lions and Chargers and begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday on NBC. Fans can live stream the action on Peacock or Fubo.
NFL preseason schedule 2025: Week 1
Thursday, July 31
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Lions vs. Chargers (Canton, Ohio) | 8 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
Thursday, Aug. 7
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Ravens vs. Colts | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, Fubo |
| Eagles vs. Bengals | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Seahawks vs. Raiders | 10 p.m. | NFL Network, Fubo |
Friday, Aug. 8
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Falcons vs. Lions | 7 p.m. | — |
| Panthers vs. Browns | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, Fubo |
| Patriots vs. Commanders | 7:30 p.m. | — |
Saturday, Aug. 9
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Bills vs. Giants | 1 p.m. | NFL Network, Fubo |
| Vikings vs. Texans | 4 p.m. | NFL Network, Fubo |
| Rams vs. Cowboys | 7 p.m. | — |
| Jaguars vs. Steelers | 7 p.m. | — |
| Buccaneers vs. Titans | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Packers vs. Jets | 8 p.m. | NFL Network, Fubo |
| Cardinals vs. Chiefs | 8 p.m. | — |
| 49ers vs. Broncos | 8:30 p.m. | — |
Sunday, Aug. 10
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Bears vs. Dolphins | 1 p.m. | NFL Network, Fubo |
| Chargers vs. Saints | 4 p.m. | NFL Network, Fubo |