The first gruesome lessons of summer season

Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game gave football bettors a taste of the NFL preseason. And, it was some tough food to swallow. Be ready for more of the same slop this week when all 32 NFL teams will hit the gridiron.

Today, we want to outline exhibition expectations for this week based on statistical performances from the Ravens’ 17-16 win over the Bears in the Hall of Fame Game. Bettors need to have a firm grasp of real-world likelihoods as they make their preseason picks. (We’ll dig deeper in this space into the Giants on Thursday and Jets on Friday ahead of their summer openers).

Get ready for more sluggish offensive play represented by these numbers from Ravens/Bears: Six combined turnovers 12 combined quarterback sacks Only 33 percent on third-down conversions

Just 2.9 yards per play for Baltimore, 3.8 for Chicago

Only 3.8 yards per pass combined

Only two touchdown drives longer than 40 yards

Both teams had issues with execution, which put the point-spread winner in doubt until the very end. Chicago came through the backdoor with less than three minutes to go. Under bettors cashed their ticket, but they had to sweat because of two relatively cheap touchdowns (drives of 34 yards for the Bears, 36 yards for the Ravens).

Backups trying to execute on command in August is roulette on turf. Nobody gets rich betting roulette. Many side and total results this week will be determined by what happens in fourth quarters featuring third- and fourthstringers.

If you’re like most bettors, you’re happy to have football back on the schedule. Thursday’s huge 12-game card is tempting you to fire away. You can’t make your season in August, but you can sure mess it up by digging an early hole. Carefully pick your spots with the knowledge that real football is just around the corner.