After posting a .500 record in Week 6, Microsoft Copilot AI returned to its winning ways with its Week 7 NFL picks.
The AI chatbot posted an 8-6 record picking the 14 NFL games that took place in Week 7. Copilot was tripped up by a handful of upsets, most notably the losses by the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, as well as the Houston Texans
' loss to the New York Giants despite being 10-point favorites.Even so, Copilot will enter Week 8 with a winning record as USA TODAY Sports' experiment, having the AI chatbot pick the results of every NFL game, continues.
Copilot's picks were gathered using a simple process. The AI chatbot was fed the following prompt, which helped it generate its Week 8 picks.
- Can you predict the results of every Week 8 game for the 2026 NFL season and explain your logic for each prediction?
Copilot didn't encounter
many issues interpreting the prompt. The only exceptions were when the chatbot provided outdated information or struggled to follow the latest injury news, but it was asked to correct errors and reassess the prompt in rare instances.
Those minor errors weren't overly surprising. Some Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle to keep up with the latest sports news and updates.
Below is a summation of Copilot's picks for Week 8, along with a brief, human-crafted analysis of each of the chatbot's answers.
NFL Week 8 picks: AI predicts scores for every game
- Copilot's Week 7 results: 8-6
- Copilot's 2026 season record: 65-41-1
Green Bay Packers 27, Carolina Panthers 17
AI's take: Copilot stated the Packers have more "balance and consistency" than the Panthers, which is leading the chatbot to favor Green Bay at home. It expects the Packers "to create more explosive plays" and "force the Panthers into catch-up mode" on "Thursday Night Football."
Our take: The Panthers remain without their top two cornerbacks, which should give Christian Watson and Matthew Golden plenty of chances to make down-the-field plays. Josh Jacobs can also run roughshod on a Panthers run defense that has struggled this season, so Copilot is probably on the right side here, even if Bryce Young performs better than he did against the Buccaneers last week.
Buffalo Bills 31, Baltimore Ravens 27
AI's take: Copilot is excited about the Bills vs. Ravens game, calling it "one of the best games of the week." It stated Josh Allen's "ability to extend plays" will make a difference for the Bills even against a Ravens defense whose "physical style travels well."
Our take: All eyes will be on whether Lamar Jackson can return for this game. The expectation is he will make his anticipated return, but even if he does, the Bills should be favored. Jackson simply may need time to shake off the rust and it isn't clear whether his ankle injury will impact his mobility.
Cincinnati Bengals 30, Tennessee Titans 16
AI's take: The Bengals have "a major quarterback advantage" over the Titans and a "more complete roster." As such, Copilot believes the Bengals will cruise to a victory over the Titans, despite predicting Tennessee would keep it "respectable" early.
Our take: Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense woke up in the second half of their Week 7 game against the Ravens. They should feast on a Titans defense that just struggled against the Browns.
Dallas Cowboys 24, Arizona Cardinals 20
AI's take: Copilot didn't want to predict a big Cowboys win because Dallas has been "inconsistent." Still, it is backing Dak Prescott and Co. to get a second consecutive win and claw their way back to .500.
Our take: Dallas' defense has struggled this year, but so has Arizona's. Each ranks bottom-five in defensive EPA allowed per play, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, so this should be a high-scoring game. With that in mind, it makes sense to trust the better overall offense, giving the Cowboys the edge.
Detroit Lions 28, Minnesota Vikings 24
AI's take: The Vikings will suffer their first loss of the 2026 NFL season in Week 8, in Copilot's estimation. The chatbot said the Lions are "built to handle physical matchups" and that playing at home at Ford Field will help Dan Campbell's squad vanquish the Vikings.
Our take: Jared Goff has posted a 129.6 passer rating against the blitz this year, per Pro Football Focus, so if any quarterback is built to handle this Brian Flores defense, it's Goff. Add in that the Vikings' offense hasn't played well and the Lions looked better with Brian Branch returning at safety and Copilot could be right, though this will likely be a lower-scoring game.
Las Vegas Raiders 23, New York Jets 20
AI's take: Copilot didn't seem very excited about this matchup, saying "neither team inspires complete confidence." Ultimately, it is backing the Raiders because it "trusts Las Vegas slightly more offensively" than the Jets.
Our take: The Raiders have lost four consecutive games, but their offense has still performed well during that stretch. Kirk Cousins remains Las Vegas' starter, so picking them to win narrowly over a Jets team that just lost to the previously winless Dolphins makes sense.
Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Cleveland Browns 17
AI's take: The Browns beat the Steelers in Week 5. Copilot expects Pittsburgh to get revenge in Week 8, predicting the Steelers will win a "slugfest" on the back of their defense and home crowd.
Our take: The first Browns-Steelers game came down to a last-minute field goal. It wouldn't at all be a surprise to see the same thing happen in Week 8. Both the Steelers and Browns are playing well, but as well as Todd Monken has coached, the Steelers should be able to bounce back and beat their divisional rival.
Atlanta Falcons 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23
AI's take: Copilot is a fan of the Falcons' offensive skill position talent. It especially likes Bijan Robinson and said Atlanta should "control the game on the ground" against Tampa Bay.
Our take: The Buccaneers just racked up 43 points against the Panthers thanks to a strong showing from Bucky Irving and their running game. The Falcons have been great against the run this year, however, so Atlanta should be able to force Baker Mayfield to beat it. He may struggle to do that as he continues to shake off rust following his thumb injury.
Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Indianapolis Colts 21
AI's take: Copilot pointed to the recent history of Jaguars vs. Colts matchups and concluded that Jacksonville has "generally been stronger" than its divisional rival. The chatbot also expressed confidence the Jaguars could log some "explosive plays" against the Colts.
Our take: The Colts started what is sure to be a fire sale this week, trading Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks and DeForest Buckner to the 49ers. It's hard to imagine them competing as they offload some of their best players, even with the Jaguars secondary enduring issues containing passing attacks in recent weeks.
Los Angeles Rams 24, Los Angeles Chargers 21
AI's take: Copilot continues to insist that the Chargers "have talent," but it conceded that the Rams are "the steadier team at this point."
Our take: The Chargers are 0-6 and have one of the NFL's worst offenses. Unless they ironed out their issues during the bye week, the Rams should be able to blow them out in this matchup.
Kansas City Chiefs 27, Denver Broncos 24
AI's take: Once again, Copilot mentioned its affinity for backing Patrick Mahomes, calling him "the safest bet in close games." That's why it's picking Kansas City to win in what it expects to be a "thriller."
Our take: Mahomes has been solid this season, but he just struggled mightily in a 20-3 Week 7 loss to the Seahawks. He may continue to struggle as long as he's without his top receivers, and the Broncos should have a better plan to contain Kenneth Walker III in Week 1. Expect Denver to bounce back with a win in this spot.
New England Patriots 23, Miami Dolphins 20
AI's take: Copilot was complimentary of the Patriots' trajectory entering this game. It expects New England's defense to "create problems" against Miami and find a way to earn a victory.
Our take: The Dolphins earned their first win of the season last week against the Jets, but Malik Willis will have more trouble finding space against a well-coached Mike Vrabel defense. Don't be surprised if the Patriots win by double figures, even if Willis puts together another solid game.
Washington Commanders 24, Philadelphia Eagles 20
AI's take: Copilot had to be reminded that Jalen Hurts is out for the season, but once it remembered, it decided not to back the Eagles. It also expressed concerns about Terry McLaurin's season-ending knee injury but is backing Jayden Daniels to lead the Commanders to victory.
Our take: Strange but true: Daniels has not won a start in more than a calendar year. He's gone 0-7-1 in his last eight starts, with his last win coming on Oct. 5, 2025. He has a good chance to reverse that trend against a banged-up Eagles team, especially if Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) and DeVonta Smith (hamstring) have issues suiting up on "Sunday Night Football."
Seattle Seahawks 24, Chicago Bears 17
AI's take: Copilot acknowledged the Seahawks have a strong advantage at Lumen Field, which is "one of the toughest road environments in the league." That, plus Seattle's strong defense, is influencing its decision to pick the Seahawks to beat the Bears in Week 8.
Our take: Caleb Williams has played extremely well this season and demonstrated elite accuracy and an ability to fit throws into tough windows against the Patriots. The Seahawks will give the young quarterback an even tougher test, so he'll need his A-game again to earn a win. For now, we'll stick with Seattle to earn a tight victory.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 8 predictions by Microsoft Copilot AI for every game
Advertiser disclosure: USA TODAY may earn a commission when you sign up through links on this page. Commissions never influence our editorial coverage or rankings. Offers and odds were accurate at publication and are subject to change; terms apply — see the operator’s site. This is general information, not betting, legal or financial advice. To the fullest extent permitted by law, USA TODAY is not liable for losses arising from your use of it.
Must be 21+ (18+ where permitted). Sports betting and casino gaming are not legal everywhere; complying with the laws where you are located is your responsibility. Gamble only with funds you can afford to lose. Gambling problem? Help is available 24/7 — call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, or call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET. State helplines and responsible gaming resources.
