The analysis and forecasting of outcomes for exhibition games played during the final week before the National Football League’s regular season begins are a common point of interest. These forecasts encompass potential winners and losers, point spreads, and over/under scores for these contests. For example, analysts might consider team performance in earlier preseason games, injury reports, and projected playing time for starters when determining a likely outcome.
The exercise of forecasting these games provides several potential advantages. It allows fans to engage more deeply with the sport, even when the stakes are lower than regular season games. For dedicated observers, these forecasts can inform fantasy football drafts or other forms of speculative engagement. Historically, analyzing preseason performance has been one method used to gauge the potential of rookie players or assess how effectively new coaching strategies are being implemented before the regular season.
