VSiN Analyst Steve Makinen Compiles Extensive NFL Preseason Betting Records for 2026 Exhibition Season
Paul Fischer · Aug 18, 2026
VSiN Analyst Steve Makinen Compiles Extensive NFL Preseason Betting Records for 2026 Exhibition Season
Steve Makinen from VSiN has assembled detailed historical records covering straight-up wins, against-the-spread results, and over-under totals for every NFL team across recent preseasons, and observers note these figures highlight patterns that could shape betting decisions during the 2026 exhibition schedule. The compilation draws on data spanning multiple years and presents team-specific tendencies that have emerged in August practices and games, when rosters often feature unfamiliar lineups and starters receive limited snaps. Makinen's work underscores how preseason conditions differ from regular-season play, particularly because coaches rest key players and lines reflect adjusted expectations rather than full-strength matchups.
Key Team Records Highlighted in the Analysis
Chicago stands out with a 9-2-1 straight-up mark and a 10-2 record against the spread over the last four preseasons, while Denver posted a 39-1-1 ATS performance in home exhibition contests during the same span. These numbers come from Makinen's review of historical data, which also covers the full slate of 32 teams and breaks down results by venue, margin, and total points. People who track betting markets often review such trends because preseason outcomes can diverge sharply from regular-season form, and the records provide concrete benchmarks rather than speculation.
Additional entries in the dataset include records for teams like Green Bay, Kansas City, and others that show consistent over-under leanings or home-field advantages that persist year after year. Makinen organized the material so bettors can monitor shifts week by week, since early August games frequently involve deeper rotations than later exhibition contests. Data from these periods indicates that totals tend to land differently when backups see extended action, and spread results reflect the impact of limited practice time between units.
Why Preseason Betting Requires Adjusted Strategies
Resting starters and unfamiliar lines create distinct conditions that alter how trends play out, according to the VSiN report. Coaches prioritize player health over wins during August, which means star quarterbacks and skill-position players often exit after one or two series, and this rotation changes both scoring output and defensive execution. Bettors who follow Makinen's records can compare current preseason lineups against historical tendencies, because teams that have performed well against the spread in recent years may do so again when similar substitution patterns repeat.
Weekly monitoring becomes essential because early exhibition results can establish momentum that fades once starters return to limited roles or sit out entirely. The analysis points to venue-specific patterns, such as Denver's strong home ATS run, that have held across multiple seasons and may repeat in 2026 when the Broncos host their first preseason game. Observers who study these figures note that over-under totals also shift based on pace of play, with slower exhibitions producing fewer points than high-tempo regular-season contests.
Tracking Trends Throughout the 2026 Exhibition Schedule
Makinen's compilation encourages bettors to review updated records after each preseason week, since cumulative stats can change quickly when one or two blowout games occur. Chicago's recent success against the spread, for example, stems partly from strong defensive showings by reserve units, and similar patterns may surface again when the Bears face opponents with comparable roster depth. The report also covers how totals behave when weather or field conditions differ from regular-season norms, providing additional context for totals bettors who track August games.
Industry data from sources such as NFL operations reports shows that exhibition scoring averages have remained stable in recent cycles, yet individual team results vary enough to create edges when historical records align with current depth charts. Makinen's work supplies the baseline figures that allow such comparisons without relying on anecdotal observations. Teams with long ATS streaks at home or on the road appear in multiple entries, and these streaks often trace back to consistent coaching approaches that carry over from one preseason to the next.
Broader Context for 2026 Preseason Markets
Research from academic studies on sports wagering, including papers published through social science research networks, indicates that public betting volume rises during exhibition weeks even as sharp action remains measured. Makinen's records give bettors structured data to evaluate rather than relying on recency bias, and the emphasis on weekly updates aligns with how lines move once injury reports and depth-chart changes become public. August 2026 will mark the start of another cycle where these historical tendencies can be tested against live results.
Because preseason lines often open with limited information, early-week trends can shift rapidly once the first games conclude and totals adjust. The VSiN analysis supplies the long-term view that helps contextualize those short-term movements, covering all 32 teams so no market operates without reference points. Observers who follow the full dataset find patterns in both conference and interconference matchups that have repeated across recent seasons.
Conclusion
Steve Makinen's compilation of NFL preseason betting records delivers a factual baseline that covers straight-up, against-the-spread, and over-under results for every team heading into the 2026 exhibition season. The highlighted examples for Chicago and Denver illustrate how venue and historical performance can influence outcomes when starters rest and lineups rotate. Bettors who consult these records can track weekly developments with concrete data rather than isolated results, and the emphasis on adjusted strategies reflects the unique conditions that define August football. The full dataset remains available for ongoing reference as the exhibition schedule unfolds.