VSiN Analyst Steve Makinen Reviews NFL Preseason Betting Trends Ahead of 2026

Chicago Bears Record Stands Out in Recent Preseason Data

Chicago posted a 9-2-1 straight-up mark and a 10-2 record against the spread across the previous four preseasons, numbers that place the team at the top of several trend lists. Observers note these outcomes occurred while the club navigated typical preseason variables such as limited starter participation and experimental lineups. The Bears' consistent covering rate supplies one concrete example of how certain franchises maintain measurable edges even when regular-season priorities shift focus away from exhibition results.

Dallas Cowboys Historical Struggles Documented Since 2013

Dallas recorded a 13-31 straight-up mark and a 12-29-3 record against the spread in preseason games dating back to 2013. Those totals reflect a prolonged stretch in which the Cowboys finished below .500 in both categories, and the data set includes multiple coaching and roster changes. Researchers tracking these figures point out that the volume of games allows for pattern recognition across more than a decade of exhibition play.

Preseason Factors Differentiate Exhibition Games from Regular Season

Resting starters remains a central variable that separates preseason betting from regular-season markets. Teams reduce snaps for veteran players to manage injury risk, which shifts offensive and defensive personnel groupings and affects both point totals and margin outcomes. The analysis highlights that these adjustments occur league-wide yet produce distinct results for individual franchises based on depth chart composition and coaching decisions.

Additional variables include travel schedules, practice emphasis, and the timing of roster cuts. Each element contributes measurable effects on game scripts, and historical records capture the cumulative impact across multiple seasons. Makinen's report organizes these elements into team-by-team summaries that allow direct comparison of past performance under similar constraints.

Application of Historical Data in 2026 Preseason Context

Bettors reference the compiled records when constructing early August 2026 wagers. The Chicago figures, Dallas long-term totals, and Buffalo-Houston streaks supply baseline expectations that can be adjusted once training camp depth charts and injury reports become available. The report stresses that the same factors influencing past outcomes continue to operate, including limited starter minutes and evolving personnel rotations.

Cross-referencing multiple seasons supplies a larger sample size than any single year provides. Patterns that persist across coaching changes or roster turnover gain additional weight, while shorter streaks receive context from the broader data set. This approach aligns with standard statistical practice when evaluating exhibition contests that carry lower stakes than regular-season matchups.