Microsoft Copilot AI endured a couple of bumpy weeks making NFL picks, but it bounced back nicely with its Week 8 performance.
The AI chatbot went 10-4 with its NFL picks last week. It was tripped up by a couple of upsets, notably the Arizona Cardinals beating the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears
knocking off the Seattle Seahawks, but otherwise had relatively few issues finding the right sides to back.Now, Copilot will look to continue its winning ways in Week 9, as USA TODAY Sports' experiment, having the AI chatbot pick the results of every NFL game, continues.
As always, a simple process was used to gather Copilot's picks for the week. The AI chatbot was fed the following prompt, which helped it to generate its Week 9 picks.
- Can you predict the results of every Week 9 game for the 2026 NFL season and explain your logic for each prediction?
Copilot's efforts
to interpret the prompt were largely successful. The only exceptions occurred when the chatbot provided outdated information or struggled to follow the latest injury news. When those errors occurred, the chatbot was simply asked to reassess the prompt after being fed the correct information.
And just to note, those small mistakes were not surprising, as 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 9, along with a brief, human-crafted analysis of each of the chatbot's answers.
NFL Week 9 picks: AI predicts scores for every game
- Copilot's Week 8 results: 10-4
- Copilot's 2026 season record: 75-45-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Baltimore Ravens 17
AI's take: Copilot isn't excited about the prospect of backing a Ravens team with "significant quarterback uncertainty." It also noted the Jaguars are "one of the AFC's strongest teams," so it has a preference for backing Liam Coen's squad on a short week.
Our take: Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano is expected to start for the Ravens against a top-ranked run defense that will be able to limit Derrick Henry significantly. Jacksonville also leads the NFL with a plus-85 point differential, so everything should come up Jaguars in what could be a lopsided win.
Cincinnati Bengals 31, Atlanta Falcons 24
AI's take: Joe Burrow's recent performance gives the Bengals "a clear offensive edge" over the Falcons in this one, per Copilot's estimation. The chatbot believes Cincinnati will be able to "finish drives more consistently" and ride to a victory in Madrid.
Our take: Burrow has certainly been on a hot streak, recording 14 total touchdowns over his last three games, but the Falcons could pull off the upset here. The Bengals have allowed 141.4 rushing yards per game over their last five contests, so that could play to the favor of a Falcons team that typically wins when it is able to effectively run the ball (Atlanta averages 176.3 rushing yards per game in its three wins).
Denver Broncos 23, Carolina Panthers 20
AI's take: Copilot credited Denver as being one of the season's "pleasant surprises" and credited the Broncos for being "more balanced" this season. Still, the AI chatbot said the Panthers would "keep it close at home" in a narrow loss.
Our take: The Broncos probably shouldn't qualify as a pleasant surprise after earning the AFC's No. 1 seed last season, but they still are the right side to back here. Bryce Young was pressured relentlessly in Week 8 thanks to shaky tackle play, and Denver ranks fourth league-wide in pressure rate, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats.
Dallas Cowboys 30, Indianapolis Colts 23
AI's take: Copilot noted that "neither team has been dominant" this season, but it is backing the Cowboys because they have the "more explosive offensive talent."
Our take: The Colts looked like a dead team walking after trading Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner ahead of last week's game. It's hard to expect them to look significantly better here, though they will have a shot to do it in a favorable matchup. I'll back the Cowboys despite that, even though Brian Schottenheimer's coaching has left a lot to be desired in 2026.
Kansas City Chiefs 31, New York Jets 16
AI's take: Copilot has picked the Chiefs in every game this year, and that will not change in Week 9. It backed Patrick Mahomes, expressed skepticism about the Jets' offense and said this would be "a recipe for a comfortable win" for Kansas City.
Our take: Mahomes has only once had a losing streak of longer than three games in his career as a starter. That came last season when the Chiefs went just 6-11 overall and lost him to a torn ACL. Expect Mahomes to bounce back in a favorable spot and for Kenneth Walker III to get back to what he was doing before his two-week slowdown.
Detroit Lions 34, Miami Dolphins 24
AI's take: Copilot was complimentary of the Dolphins' offense but acknowledged the team "hasn't shown enough consistency" to warrant backing against the Lions. The chatbot referred to Detroit as "one of the NFL's most complete teams."
Our take: The Lions should be emotionally motivated for this game as they continue to navigate the fallout of linebacker Jack Campbell's scary neck injury. Dan Campbell will want his squad to win the game for his defensive star and he will also relish a chance to take down the team that gave him his first head coaching job in the NFL as an interim in 2015.
New Orleans Saints 20, Cleveland Browns 16
AI's take: Copilot said this contest "feels like a low-scoring game," but it expressed concerns about how Cleveland's offense will look without Deshaun Watson, who was placed in concussion protocol. It said it would "downgrade the Browns' offense considerably" without Watson, which led it to flip its pick from the Browns to the Saints.
Our take: Shedeur Sanders will likely get a chance to start this contest with Watson in concussion protocol. That may not have as major an impact on this contest as Copilot projects, as Sanders is a solid fit in Todd Monken's offensive scheme, and Quinshon Judkins should be able to run the ball well against a Saints defense that has been terrible against running backs.
New York Giants 23, Philadelphia Eagles 21
AI's take: Copilot wants to back "the steadier team" in this contest. It believes the Giants have earned the right to that mantle, as the chatbot expresses concerns about Philadelphia's offense and quarterback situation. The chatbot did, however, opine that Joe Milton gives the Eagles "a better chance of generating explosive plays and extending drives" than Tanner McKee.
Our take: Milton has elite arm talent and is an explosive runner, so it will be intriguing to see what he can do in this matchup. Even so, the Giants are the safer side to back here.
Los Angeles Rams 27, Washington Commanders 21
AI's take: Copilot is a fan of the Rams' passing game and credited Los Angeles with having "the more complete roster" between the two teams. That was enough for it to project the Rams to earn a win on the road.
Our take: Matthew Stafford hasn't been nearly as sharp as he was during his MVP season, but he still ranks second in the NFL in passing yards entering Week 9. That, plus the resurgence of Los Angeles' running game, should allow Sean McVay's squad to earn a win over a Washington team that has largely been carried by Jayden Daniels.
Houston Texans 24, Los Angeles Chargers 17
AI's take: Interestingly, Copilot opined the Texans have looked like "a legitimate contender" this season thanks to C.J. Stroud's performance. That's why the chatbot is backing Houston to beat a Los Angeles squad that "has struggled for consistency."
Our take: Copilot may be overestimating Houston's defense, which still looks good on paper but has surprisingly struggled against the pass this year. Even so, the Texans have the talent needed to push the Chargers to an astounding 0-8 to open the season.
New England Patriots 23, Green Bay Packers 21
AI's take: Copilot acknowledged this was "one of the week's toughest games." It is giving the Patriots the edge in "a very competitive matchup" simply because they are at home.
Our take: While Copilot treated this game like a coin flip, it seemingly came out on the right side. The Packers have struggled to run the ball and the Patriots' well-coached defense should be able to render Green Bay one-dimensional. If Matthew Golden can't cut down on his drops, the Packers could have an unusually inefficient offensive day which could open the door for Drake Maye and Co. to pick up a needed win.
San Francisco 49ers 30, Las Vegas Raiders 17
AI's take: Copilot said it was "difficult to ignore" the 49ers' talent advantage over the Raiders. It said Las Vegas could hang around early but believes San Francisco will win the game late.
Our take: The 49ers are coming off a bye, so they should be well-rested and well-prepared for this matchup. The bigger thing to watch on Vegas' side of the ball will be Ashton Jeanty's usage after the running back was out-carried 25-2 by Mike Washington last week.
Seattle Seahawks 23, Arizona Cardinals 17
AI's take: Drew Lock starting in place of the injured Sam Darnold "definitely narrows the gap" in this game, per Copilot. It still credited the Seahawks with having the "overall roster advantage" but thinks the Cardinals can keep it close.
Our take: The Cardinals have been upset-minded this season, but they do not match up well with the Seahawks defense. Maybe Gardner Minshew will have a great performance and give Arizona a shot, but more likely, Seattle will bounce back from its Week 8 defeat even with its backup quarterback in the game.
Chicago Bears 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
AI's take: Copilot lauded the improvement of Caleb Williams and said the Bears look like "a legitimate playoff team." It also called the Buccaneers "competitive" but opined they were a step down from the Bears at present.
Our take: Jeffery Simmons had a major impact on Chicago's defense in his first game with the team. If he can continue to shape that unit into a buzzsaw, it will be difficult for any NFL team to beat the Bears.
Buffalo Bills 27, Minnesota Vikings 24
AI's take: Copilot referred to this matchup of 6-1 teams as the "game of the week." It said Minnesota's defense would "make life difficult for Josh Allen" but ultimately concluded the star quarterback would find a way to win the game late.
Our take: Brian Flores has an elite defense, but it will face a significant test against a talented, dual-threat quarterback like Allen. If the Vikings defense can't pass that test, it will be hard for the team's offense, which ranks 25th in offensive EPA per play, to lead the team to victory.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 9 predictions by Microsoft Copilot AI for every game
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