VSiN Analyst Steve Makinen Compiles NFL Preseason Team Betting Trends for 2026

Steve Makinen at VSiN gathered and distributed a detailed set of team-by-team betting trends drawn from recent NFL preseason games, and these patterns reflect adjustments required when starters rest while unfamiliar lines shape outcomes across the slate. Observers note that preseason wagering differs from regular-season approaches because coaching staffs limit player exposure and because lines often adjust rapidly in the absence of full rosters, and Makinen's compilation supplies historical benchmarks that handicappers can reference when evaluating 2026 matchups.

Context for Preseason Wagering Patterns

Preseason schedules typically unfold in August, and analysts track results from prior years to identify tendencies that persist even when lineups change, while Makinen's report isolates streaks and records that cover straight-up results, against-the-spread performance, over-under totals, and splits by home or road status as well as favorite or underdog positioning. Data from earlier seasons shows that certain franchises exhibit repeatable behavior in these exhibition contests, and those patterns receive explicit mention because they can inform decisions before the regular campaign begins.

Atlanta's Extended Skid and Related Records

One sequence highlighted in the compilation involves Atlanta's prolonged losing streak in preseason games, and records indicate the team has posted a notable run of defeats that spans multiple seasons when measured both straight up and against the spread. Additional figures reveal that road games for the franchise have produced consistent under results, and similar data points appear for home contests where totals have landed under the posted number at a high rate. Makinen's summary places these Atlanta-specific marks alongside comparable entries for other clubs so that bettors can compare historical frequencies across the league.

Chicago's Strong Performance Metrics

Chicago appears in the report with robust straight-up and against-the-spread marks in recent preseason outings, and those records include both home victories and road results that exceed league averages for the period examined. Further entries note that the team has covered the spread at an elevated rate when installed as favorites, while totals have skewed over in a measurable share of its exhibition contests. These Chicago indicators receive placement next to parallel data for divisional opponents so that readers can assess relative strength in the same geographic grouping.

Over-Under Streaks and Total Patterns

Multiple over-under streaks surface throughout the document, and several teams display consecutive overs or unders that extend across three or more preseason games in the sampled years. One cluster of clubs shows a tendency for overs when traveling to warm-weather venues, whereas another group records unders at home under similar weather conditions. Makinen grouped these total-related trends by division to allow quick reference, and the same section lists favorite-underdog splits that separate results when the line favors one side by more than a field goal.

Home, Road, Favorite, and Underdog Splits

Home-road distinctions form another category in the compilation, and several franchises post markedly different records depending on venue even though preseason crowds and travel demands remain lighter than in the regular season. Favorite-underdog breakdowns appear alongside those venue splits, and data indicates that certain underdogs have covered at higher rates when facing rested opponents while favorites have performed better when the spread sits within a narrow range. Makinen's presentation arranges these splits in table format so that readers can scan franchise-by-franchise entries without cross-referencing separate sources.

Tracking in Upcoming VSiN Reports

The compiled trends will receive ongoing updates in subsequent VSiN analytics releases, and the organization plans to monitor whether the historical marks hold during the 2026 preseason window. Additional notes explain that line movement and roster announcements can alter these patterns, yet the baseline figures supply context for evaluating early odds. Readers can access the full list through the VSiN platform, where detailed tables and supporting data accompany the summary points.

Broader Industry Context

Industry reports from organizations such as the American Gaming Association document rising interest in preseason markets, and similar data from Canadian regulatory bodies highlight parallel growth in exhibition wagering across North American jurisdictions. Academic studies issued by university research centers have examined how roster turnover influences totals, and those findings align with several of the streaks Makinen isolated. Observers note that the combination of historical records and current roster reports gives handicappers a structured way to approach the August slate.

Conclusion

Makinen's release consolidates dozens of franchise-specific marks into a single reference that covers straight-up results, spread performance, totals, and situational splits, and the material will continue to appear in VSiN analytics updates throughout the 2026 preseason period. The documented patterns supply measurable benchmarks drawn from prior seasons while acknowledging that coaching decisions and line adjustments can shift outcomes in any given year.