Sept. 24, 2026, 6:45 a.m. ET
Microsoft Copilot AI has epitomized consistency via the primary two weeks of the 2026 NFL season.
In Week 1 of the 2026 marketing campaign, Copilot posted an 11-5 document. The chatbot repeated its 11-5 document in Week 2, notably accurately selecting all three prime-time video games whereas additionally backing the Denver Broncos to bounce again and earn a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Will Copilot be capable of make it three straight weeks with 11 wins? USA TODAY Sports activities is continuous its experiment with the chatbot and had it make picks for all 16 of the NFL’s Week 3 video games.
Gathering Copilot’s picks was easy. The AI chatbot was fed the next immediate, which helped it generate its 16 Week 1 picks.
- Can you are expecting the outcomes of each Week 3 recreation for the 2026 NFL season and clarify your logic for every prediction?
Per traditional, Copilot was largely in a position to interpret the immediate with out concern. There have been, nevertheless, events the place the chatbot supplied outdated info. That wasn’t overly shocking, as some Giant Language Fashions (LLMs) battle to maintain up with the most recent sports activities information and updates.
On the uncommon events when Copilot made errors, it was merely requested to repair the errors and reassess the immediate.
Beneath is a summation of Copilot’s picks for Week 3, together with a short, human-crafted evaluation of every of the chatbot’s solutions.
NFL Week 3 picks: AI predicts scores for each recreation
- Copilot’s Week 2 outcomes: 11-5
- Copilot’s 2026 season document: 22-10
Inexperienced Bay Packers 27, Atlanta Falcons 20
AI’s take: Copilot believes the Falcons have a “tough project” heading to Lambeau Area for a “Thursday Night time Soccer” recreation. The chatbot famous Atlanta has “expertise” however opined Inexperienced Bay can be “extra constant at dwelling” on the brief week.
Our take: The Packers’ home-field benefit is often sturdy, however it’s nonetheless early within the season, so it will not be too chilly at Lambeau. Inexperienced Bay can be coping with accidents alongside its offensive line, with proper sort out Zach Bako-Bewele being probably the most notable, so that might make issues powerful on the Packers offense. Do not be shocked if the Falcons, sparked by the return of Michael Penix Jr., pull off the upset right here, or at the very least hold it shut.
Buffalo Payments 31, Los Angeles Chargers 21
AI’s take: Copilot expects the Chargers to be “aggressive” on this recreation. Nevertheless, it does not need to go towards Josh Allen, who it mentioned is “powerful to comprise” on the Payments‘ new Highmark Stadium.
Our take: Allen is the early-season favourite for MVP after logging 9 mixed touchdowns throughout the Payments’ first two video games. In the meantime, the Chargers’ new-look offense has struggled because of accidents alongside the offensive line and Justin Herbert not but meshing with Mike McDaniel. It is arduous to confidently choose Los Angeles, so anticipate Buffalo to stay undefeated in Week 3.
Carolina Panthers 23, Cleveland Browns 17
AI’s take: The Panthers have “offensive momentum,” within the eyes of Copilot. The chatbot famous it “trusts the Panthers’ playmakers” to carry out nicely towards the Browns protection, making it keen to again the NFC South squad on the street.
Our take: Bryce Younger has been environment friendly to start out the season, tying for the league-high with six passing touchdowns and logging a 113.3 passer ranking out of the chute. Deshaun Watson and the Browns regarded higher towards the Buccaneers, however they determine to battle towards a Panthers protection that simply humiliated the Falcons.
Detroit Lions 30, New York Jets 20
AI’s take: The place do the Lions have the benefit over the Jets? It is at quarterback an when it comes to “total offensive continuity,” in keeping with Copilot. The chatbot expects Detroit to be “explosive” at dwelling and provides itself a path to a victory towards the Jets.
Our take: Will the Lions lose to the Jets? Possibly not, however Detroit’s protection has been weak via two weeks, which is no surprise given the expertise it’s lacking at security. The Lions ought to win, however do not be shocked if Geno Smith and the Jets offense has day and retains this nearer than Copilot is anticipating.
Houston Texans 24, Indianapolis Colts 20
AI’s take: As soon as once more, Copilot appears assured in C.J. Stroud. It opined he would “make a number of key throws within the fourth quarter” to assist lead the Texans to a win over their divisional rival. The chatbot additionally opined that “Houston desperately wants a win,” which performed a job in its evaluation.
Our take: Look, backing a workforce simply because they “desperately want a win” can generally backfire. However on this case, Copilot is correct about Houston. The Texans ought to come into this contest motivated to bounce again from an 0-2 begin, they usually match up nicely towards a Colts protection that simply performed 78 snaps in an time beyond regulation loss to the Chiefs. Count on the Texans to discover a technique to beat what must be a drained Colts squad.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 34, Miami Dolphins 20
AI’s take: Copilot is backing a “extra dependable” Chiefs offense on this matchup. It famous it plans to do this so long as Patrick Mahomes stays wholesome, noting it was “tough to choose towards” the star quarterback.
Our take: Yeah, there is not any approach the Dolphins, as presently constituted, are going to beat the Chiefs. Copilot deserves some reward for that choose, although it did as soon as once more say Miami’s “velocity” might create “large performs,” which leads me to imagine it could nonetheless suppose Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are on the workforce.
New York Giants 19, Tennessee Titans 16
AI’s take: Copilot is backing the Giants on this recreation, however it said this may very well be one of many week’s “uglier contests.” The chatbot is not assured in both offense, so it is selecting the 2 groups to have “a low-scoring, defensive recreation” in Week 3.
Our take: Hear, I am not going to pound the desk for the Titans, however this can be a revenge recreation for Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. The Giants additionally simply misplaced Jaxson Dart to a season-ending harm, so Jameis Winston‘s penchant for interceptions might sink the Giants within the low-scoring recreation that Copilot is (accurately) projecting.
Cincinnati Bengals 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
AI’s take: Copilot likes Cincinnati’s passing assault, noting it could be “the distinction” on this matchup. It additionally praised Joe Burrow‘s latest efficiency towards the Steelers in addition to the workforce’s capacity to “effectively end drives.”
Our take: Burrow hasn’t performed towards the Steelers since 2024, so it is not clear precisely what latest efficiency Copilot was praising. Even so, the Bengals are the suitable facet to again right here. Cincinnati has an improved protection and Aaron Rodgers has not regarded able to main a potent offense via two weeks of the 2026 season.
Seattle Seahawks 27, Washington Commanders 16
AI’s take: Copilot has been “impressed” by the Seahawks protection to this point and expects the workforce to “management the road of scrimmage” towards Washington. It additionally expressed little confidence within the Commanders’ offense producing something on this contest.
Our take: Marcus Mariota is taking on for the injured Jayden Daniels in Week 4. That is a completely horrible time for that to occur, because the Seahawks ought to feast on the veteran quarterback. Properly accomplished, Copilot.
Jacksonville Jaguars 26, New England Patriots 20
AI’s take: Copilot likes backing dwelling groups, so it is no shock it’s selecting the Jaguars right here. The chatbot mentioned it likes the Jaguars’ “offensive firepower” and expects the unit to search out successs in favorable climate circumstances.
Our take: I do know the Patriots’ offense hasn’t regarded good to this point, however trusting Trevor Lawrence to carry out nicely additionally looks as if a danger. He struggled towards the Broncos’ protection and now will face a New England stop-unit that’s off to a powerful begin. Lawrence is definitely the most effective quarterback the Patriots have performed, so perhaps that is why Copilot is giving the Jaguars an edge right here.
San Francisco 49ers 28, Arizona Cardinals 17
AI’s take: Copilot praised the Cardinals for being “aggressive” to open the 2026 NFL season. Nevertheless, it believes the 49ers have “one of many NFC’s most gifted rosters” and expects them to dominate time of possession to beat the Cardinals.
Our take: Credit score to the Cardinals for beating the Chargers in Week 1, however they did not look almost as sturdy towards the Seahawks. The 49ers are a rung or two above the Cardinals at current, so backing Kyle Shanahan’s squad is the good selection.
Minnesota Vikings 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
AI’s take: The Vikings vs. Buccaneers matchup shall be “one of many higher video games of the afternoon,” in Copilot’s estimation. The chatbot known as Minnesota the “sharper” of the 2 squads to open the season, which lead it to again the Vikings.
Our take: Brian Flores runs the NFL’s most blitz-happy protection whereas Baker Mayfield has been vulnerable to errors and turnovers throughout the primary two video games of the 2026 season. That looks as if a mismatch in favor of the Vikings, even when Mayfield has posted a greater passer ranking beneath stress (100.3) than when stored clear (83.3) this season, per Professional Soccer Focus.
Baltimore Ravens 31, Dallas Cowboys 27
AI’s take: Copilot famous the intriguing setting for the neutral-site recreation between the Ravens and Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro. Finally, it believes Baltimore’s Derrick Henry-led working recreation and the workforce’s “capacity to create explosive performs” will lead it to victory over Dallas.
Our take: Neither protection taking part in on this recreation has been convincing to this point in 2026. That makes this recreation a coin-flip, however Copilot might be proper to again the Ravens. Their sturdy working recreation might enable them to dominate time of possession and restrict Dallas’ offensive alternatives.
Las Vegas Raiders 24, New Orleans Saints 23
AI’s take: The Raiders at 3-0? Copilot believes it is doable. The chatbot is selecting the “delicate upset” as a result of it has been impressed by how the Raiders have “began nicely” beneath the management of Klint Kubiak.
Our take: Credit score to Copilot for making a bolder prediction, however I’m not going towards the Saints at dwelling. They’re a two-point conversion away from additionally being 2-0 on the season and have held their very own towards the Lions and Ravens. New Orleans ought to be capable of beat Las Vegas at dwelling.
Los Angeles Rams 24, Denver Broncos 20
AI’s take: Copilot is happy to see the Rams offense face the Broncos protection in a strength-on-strength matchup. Nonetheless, the chatbot backed “Sean McVay’s offense to search out sufficient solutions” to earn a victory over Denver and enhance to 2-1.
Our take: Bo Nix has not regarded good to start out the season. He ought to finally play extra effectively however till he does, it is going to be arduous to again the Broncos towards higher-level competitors just like the Rams. So, we’ll facet with Copilot right here.
Philadelphia Eagles 27, Chicago Bears 17
AI’s take: Copilot mentioned that the Eagles have a “main benefit within the trenches” and a “extra full roster” than the Bears. That is why it is backing Philadelphia to win on “Monday Night time Soccer.”
Our take: The Bears could also be all the way down to their third-string quarterback with Caleb Williams (hamstring) and Tyson Bagent (concussion) doubtful for “MNF.” Case Keenum might hold Chicago afloat for a bit, however the Eagles ought to finally draw back – even when they do not seem to firing on all cylinders simply but.
