Kathy Willens/Associated Press

The NFL preseason schedule kicks off on Sunday when the Buffalo Bills face the New York Giants in the annual NFL Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The Bills are two-point favorites at most shops monitored by OddsShark.com in a game featuring two teams coming off disappointing 2013 campaigns.

For the third year in a row, Buffalo posted a 6-10 record in 2013, and are 75-1 futures long shots to win Super Bowl XLIX. Buffalo has failed to make the playoffs since their 1999 Wild Card Weekend loss to the Tennessee Titans in the legendary Music City Miracle game. The Bills have not had a winning season since compiling a 9-4 record in 2004.

However, the arrival of rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins is giving Bills fans reason for optimism. Taken fourth overall by Buffalo at the 2014 NFL draft, Watkins has been a sensation in his first training camp with the Bills, reportedly drawing overflow crowds to practices where he has entertained fans with his dynamic moves on the field.

Watkins is expected to combine with second-year quarterback EJ Manuel to form a potent offensive duo for the Bills, who ranked near the bottom of the NFL in most offensive categories last season.

Buffalo’s losing ways in the regular season have been mirrored in the preseason, as the Bills are 3-10 in their past 13 exhibition games. The Giants were 1-3 last preseason.

The 21-year-old from Clemson is also pegged as the NFL player props betting favorite to win 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, with odds of 9-2.

The Giants also struggled in 2013, starting the season with six straight losses en route to a 7-9 record, missing the playoffs for a second straight season. The G-men enter the NFL preseason as 40-1 long shots in Super Bowl futures betting, and will need quarterback Eli Manning to return to his previous Super Bowl MVP form if they are to have any chance of returning to playoff contention.

After throwing 12 interceptions in his first five games a year ago, Manning finished the season with just 18 touchdowns compared to 27 picks. Despite his woes last season, Manning continues to get consideration as a 2014 NFL MVP candidate.

But with odds of 66-1 to win the honor in online NFL props wagering, Manning sits well back of his big brother, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who is pegged as the 3-1 favorite.

Stats, odds courtesy of Odds Shark.