NFL preseason totals are in rare territory heading into Week 2 of the 2025 slate. The average over/under this week is 39.3, which would make it the highest average for any single preseason week since Week 3 of 2019.
One key driver for this inflated number? The massive over results from Week 1 of the preseason — including the Hall of Fame Game — have clearly caught the attention of oddsmakers.
Scoring Trends and Field Position
In Week 1 of the 2025 preseason, the average starting field position on kickoff returns was the 28.6-yard line, almost identical to last year’s preseason mark of just under the 29-yard line. While that may not seem like much, better field position can boost scoring opportunities.
Teams didn’t waste those opportunities. Across all Week 1 games (plus the Hall of Fame Game), offenses averaged 22.3 points per game. For context, between 2019 and 2024, the highest full-preseason combined scoring average was just 19.9 PPG (in 2023), almost 2.5 points lower than what we saw last week.
Overs Dominate Week 1
As covered in my Week 1 preseason betting recap, overs were nearly unstoppable:
- 14-2-1 (88% with one push) record
- Games went over by an average of 8.6 points
- A $100 bettor taking every over would be up $1,078, good for nearly a 60% ROI
The lone push came in the Falcons–Lions matchup, which ended 17-10 but was suspended after an injury to Lions CB Morice Norris. Because the game lasted under 55 minutes of play, most sportsbooks refunded Over tickets.
According to Bet Labs, that 14-2-1 start is the best for overs in the last 20 years. And if you had teased the total by six points in every game, you’d be sitting at 15-1-1, with only Vikings–Texans falling short of its teased number.
First-Half Fireworks
Scoring has been especially front-loaded. The first-half over went 13-4 in Week 1 — also the best opening-week mark in the last two decades. That trend, combined with full-game overs, has set expectations sky-high for Week 2 totals.
