NFL Week 17 predictions by Microsoft Copilot AI for every game – USA Today
Microsoft Copilot AI is on a hot streak with its NFL picks as the 2025 regular season winds to a close.
Copilot posted a record of 12-4 makings its picks in Week 16. This came after the AI-powered chatbot logged an 11-5 record in Week 15 in the NFL’s return to a full, 16-game slate.
In Week 16, Copilot correctly predicted many close games. That included the Seattle Seahawks‘ win over the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers‘ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The chatbot was only tripped up by a handful of upsets, most notably the Tennessee Titans‘ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Copilot will look to post another winning record in Week 17, as USA TODAY Sports continues its experiment of having the chatbot predict the results of every NFL game over Christmas weekend.
Per usual, USA TODAY Sports used a simple approach to gather Copilot’s picks. The AI chatbot was prompted to pick the winner of all 16 NFL Week 17 matchups and to provide a score projection for each matchup. The query used to generate the results was as follows:
The prompt was then repeated across all of the NFL’s matchups for this week, with the proper teams swapped in for each additional query.
Typically, Copilot had little issue interpreting the prompts. However, on occasion, the chatbot struggled to pull the correct injury data and occasionally relied on injury reports from previous weeks or seasons. Copilot providing outdated or incorrect information on occasion was not a major surprise, as some Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle to keep up with the latest sports news and updates.
When these errors occurred, Copilot was simply prompted to correct the mistakes and reassess.
Below is a summation of Copilot’s picks for Week 17, along with a brief, human-crafted analysis of each of the chatbot’s answers.
AI’s take: Copilot is excited to back Dallas’ offense, noting Dak Prescott “shredded” the Commanders last time the two teams played and that the 32-year-old is “playing at a near‑MVP level statistically” this season. It also expressed concern about how Josh Johnson will hold up as Washington’s starter on a short week.
Our take: Johnson is 39 years old and has just a 1-8 record as an NFL starting quarterback. He hasn’t won a start since 2018, so backing the Cowboys seems like the safest move to kickstart Christmas.
AI’s take: Here’s another instance in which Copilot is reluctant to trust a player who started the season as a third-string quarterback. The chatbot believes Minnesota’s offense will be “limited” under Max Brosmer, so it wants to back a Detroit offense that’s “capable of putting up points” in a “must-win” game for the team.
Our take: The Lions will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss, so expect them to bring their A-game against the Vikings. With J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota may have been able to challenge the Lions. It’s hard to imagine Brosmer doing that.
AI’s take: The Chiefs are going to have to start Chris Oladokun at quarterback with Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew out for the season. Copilot is a big fan of Denver’s defense and believes the unit is “perfect for punishing a third-string QB.”
Our take: The Chiefs scored just nine points last week against the Titans. It’s hard to imagine them finding significant success against a Broncos defense that ranks seventh overall in EPA per play, per the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
AI’s take: Copilot believes both the Chargers and Texans have “sturdy” defenses, so it’s predicting a low-scoring contest. That’s leading the chatbot to back Los Angeles, as it has faith Justin Herbert‘s “rebound” against the Cowboys will carry over into Week 17.
Our take: Herbert performed well against Dallas, but his matchup against Houston is much tougher. The Chargers have a banged-up offensive line while the Texans have one of the league’s best defenses and pass rushes, so Houston may ultimately win this one.
AI’s take: A Packers win would knock both the Ravens and Lions out of playoff contention. Copilot believes that will happen, as it noted Baltimore’s offense “loses steam” without a fully healthy Lamar Jackson. The chatbot called Tyler Huntley “a viable alternative” if Jackson can’t play but expressed more confidence in Jordan Love or Malik Willis leading the Packers to victory.
Our take: Both Love (concussion) and Willis (shoulder) are banged up. As such, this game could be closer than Copilot is projecting. But if Jackson can’t suit up, the Packers would certainly be favored to win at Lambeau Field.
AI’s take: Copilot likes what it has seen from the Bengals during their “recent uptick” with Joe Burrow in the lineup. It complimented Jacoby Brissett for being “aggressive” as a passer but also noted he had been “inconsistent” in recent weeks, leading the chatbot to pick Cincinnati in a high-scoring battle.
Our take: The Bengals are a sensible choice. The Cardinals are significantly banged up and are down to their fourth-string running back, Michael Carter, so they lack the horses needed to fully exploit Cincinnati’s weak run defense.
AI’s take: A win would clinch the Steelers a playoff spot regardless of what happens in the Ravens-Packers game. Copilot believes Pittsburgh has an advantage over Cleveland, citing the Browns‘ “inconsistent” offense and noting that Shedeur Sanders has “struggled” as Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
Our take: Sanders has a had a two-game down-turn, so it’s easy to understand why Copilot is souring on his potential. Still, Cleveland’s defense has kept it close in recent weeks, as two of its last three losses were by three or fewer points. Don’t be surprised if the Browns give the Steelers a run for their money in an old-fashioned, grind-it-out AFC North battle.
AI’s take: Copilot likes the growth it is seeing out of the Saints. It credited the “tightened up” defense for improving to 14th league-wide in scoring defense while praising Tyler Shough for his 308-yard game against the Jets. That gives the Saints the edge over a Titans offense the chatbot identified as “inconsistent.”
Our take: “Inconsistent” seems to be the word of the week for Copilot. Even so, it isn’t wrong about the Titans being up-and-down this season, though Cam Ward has thrown multiple touchdowns in three consecutive games. This score seems about right, and it will be fun to watch the two rookie quarterbacks go head-to-head in Week 17.
AI’s take: Copilot credited Philip Rivers for his “competent” play but noted that Trevor Lawrence is “on a heater.” It also believes the Jaguars are well-built to contain Jonathan Taylor, as Jacksonville sports the league’s best run defense.
Our take: Lawrence just took the Jaguars to Denver and scored 34 points against the current No. 1-seed Broncos. Meanwhile, the beleaguered Colts defense allowed Brock Purdy to throw a career-high five touchdowns against it. Backing the Jaguars seems like the correct play.
AI’s take: Copilot doesn’t seem confident in Quinn Ewers, noting the Dolphins’ passing ceiling will be “significantly lowered” as the seventh-round rookie makes his second start. It believes Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay offense will step up, knowing a loss could potentially eliminate them from playoff contention, to earn a win.
Our take: The Bengals just dropped 45 points on the Dolphins in Week 17. The Buccaneers may not post that many points, but expect Mayfield and Co. to perform well in a get-right spot after losing five of their last six games.
AI’s take: Copilot doesn’t see any way for New York’s defense – which hasn’t recorded an interception this season – to slow down an “MVP-caliber” quarterback like Drake Maye. It also opined the Jets are “prioritizing draft positioning” as they navigate another trying season.
Our take: Brady Cook is set to make another start against a well-coached Mike Vrabel defense. The Patriots should win this one, handily.
AI’s take: Copilot likes Carolina’s “scrappy” defense but it isn’t sure whether the Panthers will be able to contain a Seahawks offense that is “humming” and pushing for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The chatbot highlighted Kenneth Walker‘s “explosiveness” as something to watch in this matchup.
Our take: The Panthers will almost certainly have to win their Week 18 game against the Buccaneers to make the playoffs. That’s not to say this game doesn’t matter, but if their focus is on their upcoming divisional rivalry game, Mike McDonald’s squad will likely have an advantage.
AI’s take: Who will get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? Copilot is favoring the Giants to do so, as the chatbot was discouraged by New York’s passing game “cratering” under Jaxson Dart‘s watch against the Vikings. Add in Ashton Jeanty‘s “breakout” against the Texans and Copilot thinks Las Vegas can edge out a win here.
Our take: The Raiders put their top receiving target, tight end Brock Bowers, on injured reserve (IR) because of a nagging knee problem. Dart also has a better matchup against a Raiders defense that ranks bottom-three in pressure rate, so we’ll be going against the chatbot to back the Giants here.
AI’s take: Copilot expects this to be a good game. It thinks the “surging” Saquon Barkley will have a good game against a “weak” Bills run defense but also expects the “versatile combo” of Josh Allen and James Cook to do damage against Philadelphia’s defense. Ultimately, the chatbot believes the Bills offense will give it the edge in this contest.
Our take: The Eagles are coming off back-to-back wins, but those were against the Raiders and Commanders, who are both projected to earn early draft picks in 2026. The Bills are a much tougher test, so don’t be surprised if Buffalo is able to keep Philadelphia at an arm’s length in this one.
AI’s take: Copilot is looking forward to this “Sunday Night Football” matchup, which it acknowledged could “shift the NFC playoff landscape.” The chatbot expressed concerns about Chicago’s injuries at receiver while deciding to back Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers amid their five-game winning streak.
Our take: This figures to be a close game, especially if George Kittle can’t play, but the 49ers have been the more efficient team of late. The Bears have done a great job of notching comeback wins, however, so don’t be surprised if Caleb Williams has a chance to mount a game-winning drive at the end.
AI’s take: Copilot isn’t confident Atlanta’s “middling” defense will be able to contain Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua. It credited Raheem Morris’ squad for improving its offensive play lately but still believes Sean McVay’s Rams are the team to beat in this matchup.
Our take: The Falcons have plenty of talent, and the return of Drake London gave them a slight boost against the Cardinals last week. Still, it’s hard to imagine they will be able to fully contain Nacua, even if Davante Adams can’t play. Expect the Rams to get back in the winning column and challenge for the NFC West title in Week 18.
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