NFL Preseason Betting Trends: Harbaugh Leads ATS, Reid Struggles
Data from Fox Sports reveals John Harbaugh holds the strongest record at 41-22-1, while Andy Reid ranks among the worst at 36-43-1, despite his Super Bowl success.
Bettors are closely monitoring NFL head coaches’ performance against the spread during the 2026 preseason, according to data compiled by Fox Sports. With the exhibition season officially underway and one game completed, the focus has shifted to how coaching staffs fare in the lead-up to the regular season in September.
John Harbaugh currently holds the best record against the spread (ATS) among active head coaches, sitting at 41-22-1. All of this performance has been accumulated during his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, marking him as a standout in this specific betting market.
Robert Saleh, the newly appointed head coach of the Tennessee Titans, ranks second on the list with a 10-3 ATS record. This record was established during his previous tenure with the New York Jets, drawing attention from those tracking coaching trends ahead of the new season.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid ranks among the worst with a 36-43-1 record. This statistical performance contrasts sharply with his on-field success, where he has secured three Super Bowl rings as the Chiefs' head coach and another as an assistant.
Other coaches noted for negative ATS performance include Dan Campbell (6-9-1), Zac Taylor (8-11), Dave Canales (0-6), and Dan Quinn (6-21). Conversely, Sean Payton (34-29-1), Sean McVay (15-12), and Jim Harbaugh (13-10) are listed among the top performers alongside Harbaugh and Saleh.
The tracking of these statistics follows the Hall of Fame Game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers. While Colin Cowherd described the match as featuring some of the best rookie quarterback play seen in the exhibition, bettors who backed the Cardinals to cover the 1.5-point spread likely experienced an unfavourable outcome.
Although preseason results are generally considered less significant for regular season outcomes, they hold value for sports bettors looking to identify trends. The data highlights a distinct divide in how different coaching staffs navigate the exhibition games that precede the main season.
