Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Odds, TV Coverage, What To Know For 2021 Hall Of Fame Game

Football is finally back after a six-month hiatus. The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off the 2021 exhibition season when they meet Thursday night in the annual Hall of Fame Game.

The game starts at 8 p.m. EDT from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Fox will broadcast the contest on TV.

The Steelers are 2-point favorites, according to betting odds compiled by OddsShark. The betting total is just 32.5 for a contest that is traditionally low-scoring.

It’s been eight years since a team scored more than 20 points in the Hall of Fame Game. There was no 2020 Hall of Fame game because the entire NFL preseason was cancelled amid the pandemic.

Starters don’t often appear in the Hall of Fame Game, and Thursday is expected to be no different. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has already been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Don’t expect to see Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger take the field as he prepares for his 18th NFL season.

“The fact that we’re playing the four games this year, Week 1 and Week 4 will be huge games for the younger players,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters. "You’re looking at a good half of football.

“To me, this is what the preseason has always been about. You’re able to get your starters and guys you have history with, you can get most of your work done in the practices. This is about the development of your roster, the competition of your roster. And what better way to let these guys compete than these preseason games.”

Ben DiNucci is expected to start under center for the Cowboys. Mason Rudolph has been named the Steelers’ starting quarterback for Thursday. Former first-round pick Dwayne Haskins could also see plenty of time as the Steelers' signal-caller.

Thursday's matchup is the first of four exhibition games for Dallas and Pittsburgh. The rest of the league’s teams are only scheduled to play three preseason games.