13 Aug 2026
Steve Makinen Breaks Down NFL Preseason Betting Trends for 2026
Steve Makinen has compiled extensive historical records from past NFL exhibition games to identify recurring betting patterns that could shape handicapping decisions ahead of the 2026 preseason slate, and these findings draw directly from team-specific logs spanning multiple seasons rather than regular-season outcomes. Data shows consistent tendencies across several franchises when it comes to totals, straight-up results, and against-the-spread performances, with particular emphasis on how these trends hold up in home versus road settings or in follow-up contests after certain matchups.
Buffalo Bills Over Trends Stand Out in Exhibition History
Buffalo carries a 14-5-1 mark when it comes to the over in recent preseason totals according to the compiled figures, and observers note this streak spans games where offensive and defensive units often push scoring higher than closing numbers despite limited playing time for starters in later weeks. The pattern emerges across multiple seasons of exhibition logs, where the Bills have frequently exceeded projected points in both home and road environments while facing a range of opponents with varying defensive strengths. Those tracking the numbers point out that the trend persists even when Buffalo operates as a favorite or underdog, creating a reliable reference point for totals bettors preparing for August 2026 matchups.
Chicago Bears Show Strong Preseason Results in Multiple Categories
Chicago posts a 9-2-1 straight-up record alongside a 10-2 against-the-spread mark in recent preseasons, and these figures reflect performances that hold across home games as well as follow-up contests after divisional or conference tilts. Researchers examining the logs highlight how the Bears have covered spreads consistently whether installed as favorites or underdogs, with the straight-up success rate appearing in both early and late exhibition windows. The data separates these exhibition results from regular-season betting because teams rest key players more frequently during August, yet the Bears' historical edge remains visible in the raw records.
Additional Patterns Across Home, Road, and Game Situations
Broader examination of preseason logs reveals layered trends tied to venue and sequence, such as certain teams performing differently on the road after a home opener or when installed as favorites following a loss in the prior week. Makinen's review isolates these variables without blending them into regular-season data, and the distinctions matter because preseason schedules feature rotating rosters and shorter preparation cycles compared to the regular campaign. One study of exhibition outcomes found that follow-up games after high-scoring affairs often produce totals movement in predictable directions for specific franchises, while home-road splits create separate overlays for bettors evaluating line movements in 2026.
Favorite and underdog designations also factor into the historical breakdown, with several clubs showing elevated success rates when listed in one role versus the other during exhibition play. These splits derive strictly from past game logs rather than projected rosters, and they account for the common practice of resting starters that differentiates preseason betting from later months. Data indicates the patterns hold across multiple years even as coaching staffs and personnel change, providing a baseline that remains separate from regular-season analytics.
Context for 2026 Preseason Handicapping
Preseason betting operates under unique conditions where early August contests often feature extensive second- and third-string participation, and Makinen's compilation underscores how historical team trends can still supply directional guidance despite those variables. The analysis covers totals, spreads, and moneyline outcomes across home and road settings while flagging follow-up game effects that appear in the exhibition record. Observers tracking these numbers for the upcoming cycle note that the data set excludes regular-season results entirely, keeping the focus on August-specific logs that reflect different preparation and rotation patterns.
Teams with repeated over-the-total success like Buffalo receive dedicated sections in the review, while Chicago's dual straight-up and spread dominance illustrates how certain franchises maintain edges across betting formats. Additional layers examine whether these records shift when squads travel or return home after particular opponent types, and the resulting framework supplies reference points without claiming predictive certainty for any single 2026 contest.
Conclusion
The historical preseason trends compiled by Steve Makinen offer a structured reference drawn from exhibition game logs that bettors can consult as the 2026 schedule approaches, and the separation from regular-season data remains central to the approach. Buffalo's totals record, Chicago's straight-up and spread marks, plus venue and sequence patterns across other clubs all stem from the same body of past results. Those reviewing the figures for August 2026 games gain access to team-specific tendencies that account for the distinct nature of exhibition play, where resting starters and roster depth testing create conditions different from later in the year.