Oct. 1, 2026, 5:31 a.m. ET
Microsoft Copilot AI had its worst week of the season to date with its Week 3 picks.
After posting a report of 11-5 in every of the primary two weeks of the 2026 NFL season, Copilot was solely capable of go 9-7 with its Week 3 predictions. Quite a few upsets – together with prime-time wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos – have been chargeable for the chatbot’s worst week up to now.
Even so, Copilot nonetheless posted a profitable report whereas impressively sniffing out the Las Vegas Raiders‘ win over the favourite New Orleans Saints. That actually provides a feather to the chatbot’s cap as USA TODAY Sports activities’ experiment continues into Week 4 of the NFL season.
A easy course of was used to assemble Copilot’s picks. The AI chatbot was fed the next immediate, which helped it generate its 16 Week 1 picks.
- Can you expect the outcomes of each Week 4 recreation for the 2026 NFL season and clarify your logic for every prediction?
This week, we additionally prompted the chatbot to make sure it was utilizing current-season outcomes and damage information to tell its selections.
As traditional, Copilot interpreted the prompts with out main points. Nonetheless, the chatbot sometimes offered outdated info. That wasn’t overly shocking, as some Massive Language Fashions (LLMs) wrestle to maintain up with the most recent sports activities information and updates.
When Copilot produced errors, it was merely requested to repair them and reassess the immediate.
Beneath is a summation of Copilot’s picks for Week 4, together with a quick, human-crafted evaluation of every of the chatbot’s solutions.
NFL Week 4 picks: AI predicts scores for each recreation
- Copilot’s Week 3 outcomes: 9-7
- Copilot’s 2026 season report: 31-17
Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Cleveland Browns 17
AI’s take: The Steelers have a “steadier quarterback state of affairs” and “the higher protection” on this matchup, based on Copilot. That is why it’s favoring Pittsburgh to win the short-week divisional matchup, even on the street.
Our take: Aaron Rodgers is coming off his greatest efficiency of the season, however the Browns have received back-to-back video games throughout which Deshaun Watson has appeared competent. This recreation is a real coin-flip, however do not be shocked if Todd Monken’s squad makes it three victories in a row.
Indianapolis Colts 27, Washington Commanders 20
AI’s take: Copilot stated its evaluation of this recreation would change “considerably” if Jayden Daniels is ready to play. For now, it’s backing an Indianapolis aspect that it stated is “with out notable energetic accidents.”
Our take: Presumably, Copilot is contemplating Alec Pierce‘s absence an inactive damage since he’s on IR. Both means, this matchup seems to be harder for the Colts than many notice, as Washington ranks third in speeding yards allowed per recreation this season. If the Commanders can restrict Jonathan Taylor, they might pull off a second consecutive win, even when Daniels is not able to return from his elbow damage.
Baltimore Ravens 34, Tennessee Titans 13
AI’s take: Copilot referred to as this recreation its “lock of the week.” It opined the Ravens would “management this recreation from begin to end” behind Lamar Jackson and the crew’s protection.
Our take: Copilot did not point out Derrick Henry, who’s enjoying his first recreation in opposition to the Titans since becoming a member of the Ravens in 2024. He ought to be motivated to point out properly and will have an enormous day in what ought to be a simple Ravens victory.
Buffalo Payments 31, New England Patriots 17
AI’s take: Copilot is an enormous fan of the Payments, whom it known as “one of many AFC’s most full groups” throughout the primary three weeks of the season. The chatbot additionally referred to as Josh Allen a “massive matchup drawback” with which the Patriots’ protection should contend.
Our take: Not solely is Allen enjoying at an MVP stage, however Drake Maye has accounted for one landing and 7 turnovers throughout the primary three video games of the Patriots’ season. Till he performs higher, it will likely be onerous to belief New England in opposition to upper-echelon competitors.
Chicago Bears 24, New York Jets 16
AI’s take: Copilot expressed issues about how the Jets’ offense would look given the “uncertainty” surrounding Breece Corridor (thigh). It additionally favored that the Bears’ offense is “trending upward,” even with Caleb Williams out of the lineup.
Our take: Will probably be fascinating to see whether or not Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent begins at quarterback for the Bears, however Copilot is correct to favor them. They’ve been spectacular even with out their high weapons being out there and productive, so they need to have the ability to beat the Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals 30, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
AI’s take: Joe Burrow is “tough to wager in opposition to at house,” within the opinion of Copilot. It believes the Bengals will win a “shootout” in opposition to the Jaguars in Week 4.
Our take: Burrow has posted a 22-16 house report throughout 38 profession begins, so Copilot makes a superb level. Jacksonville will present Cincinnati a tricky take a look at, however the Bengals’ offense is barely extra explosive, making them the higher aspect to again right here.
Houston Texans 27, Dallas Cowboys 23
AI’s take: Copilot is sniffing out this spot as “a statement-game alternative” for the Texans. It likes the matchup Houston’s defensive entrance has in opposition to Dallas and believes the Texans will win “a decent recreation” at house.
Our take: The Texans’ secondary has struggled to start out the 2026 NFL season and has a tricky matchup in opposition to Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. However will the Cowboys’ protection have the ability to rattle C.J. Stroud sufficient to get a win? That can decide whether or not Dallas can pull off the win, so we’ll cut up with Copilot on this choose.
New York Giants 23, Arizona Cardinals 20
AI’s take: Copilot is backing the Giants as a result of they’re the house crew on this matchup. That is the way it decided the winner on this toss-up matchup, although it additionally famous the Giants had been “extra constant” to start out the season than the Cardinals.
Our take: Yeah, we’ll go the opposite means on this one. Backing Jameis Winston does not appear too interesting and the Cardinals simply hung 30 factors on the 49ers. Mike LaFleur has Arizona’s offense enjoying properly, even when the crew lacks the personnel wanted to be a contender.
Philadelphia Eagles 30, Los Angeles Rams 27
AI’s take: Copilot lauded the Eagles‘ “physicality” because the issue that might determine a recreation between “two equally proficient rosters.” The chatbot additionally likes the truth that Philadelphia is the house crew on this essential Week 4 matchup.
Our take: The Eagles could also be 2-1, however one thing stays off about their offense. They might not have the ability to go blow-for-blow with the Rams, particularly if Puka Nacua returns in Week 4, so we’ll truly again Los Angeles right here.
Inexperienced Bay Packers 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13
AI’s take: The Buccaneers are dealing with a “tough ask” in knocking off the Buccaneers with Baker Mayfield (thumb) out of the lineup, in Copilot’s estimation. It additionally likes that Jordan Love is surrounded with “confirmed weapons,” so it is choosing the Packers on this spot.
Our take: OK, so Copilot additionally referred to the Packers’ offense as “dependable,” which hasn’t been the case to open the season. Inexperienced Bay has one of many NFL’s worst operating video games and its offensive line was porous sufficient that the crew signed veteran guards Mekhi Becton and Kevin Zeitler forward of their Week 4 recreation. The Packers may nonetheless beat Jalon Daniels and the Buccaneers, however count on this to be a lot tighter than Copilot is projecting.
Minnesota Vikings 24, Miami Dolphins 20
AI’s take: De’Von Achane‘s damage is on Copilot’s thoughts coming into Week 4. The chatbot stated his absence will “damage Miami’s explosiveness.” It additionally expressed issues about Justin Jefferson lacking this recreation for the Vikings, nevertheless it believes Minnesota will pull off the victory.
Our take: The Dolphins have misplaced all three of their video games to date by no less than 14 factors and are devoid of skill-position expertise. Good choose, Copilot.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 31, Las Vegas Raiders 24
AI’s take: As soon as once more, Copilot is giving the Chiefs “the advantage of the doubt” due to its confidence in Patrick Mahomes. The chatbot expects the Raiders to be “a tougher-than-expected problem,” nevertheless it nonetheless has the Chiefs developing on high.
Our take: The Raiders are 3-0, however their opponents have a mixed 1-8 report to start out the season. The Chiefs might be their first main take a look at, so favoring Mahomes and Andy Reid looks as if the good choice.
Seattle Seahawks 24, Los Angeles Chargers 20
AI’s take: Copilot likes choosing groups with nice home-field benefits. Seattle qualifies as “one of many harder street assignments” within the league, so the chatbot is backing the Seahawks to beat a Chargers squad that it says has “expertise.”
Our take: The Chargers are 0-3, have an abysmal inside offensive line and have not seen Justin Herbert play properly but this season. The Seahawks have been simply shredded by the Commanders however ought to be positioned to bounce again in opposition to a struggling squad.
San Francisco 49ers 23, Denver Broncos 20
AI’s take: Copilot likes that the 49ers have “offensive stability.” It additionally likes the Broncos’ protection, however the chatbot thinks the 49ers will pull off an in depth win.
Our take: Kyle Shanahan continues to get essentially the most out of his personnel, however this can be a powerful matchup for a beleaguered 49ers receiving corps and defensive position. Do not be shocked if the Broncos are capable of eke out a win in Week 4 due to these damage issues.
Detroit Lions 35, Carolina Panthers 24
AI’s take: Copilot gave the Panthers and Bryce Younger credit score for a way their offense has carried out to open the season. That stated, it nonetheless believes that the Lions‘ offensive firepower might be “merely an excessive amount of” for the Panthers to deal with.
Our take: The Panthers have struggled badly in opposition to the run to open the season, which ought to permit Jahmyr Gibbs to have an enormous recreation. Add in that Carolina might be with out its high two cornerbacks, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, and Detroit’s offense ought to have an incredible day. Good choose, Copilot!
Atlanta Falcons 24, New Orleans Saints 21
AI’s take: Copilot famous it expects this recreation to “come all the way down to the ultimate possession.” That stated, it desires to aspect with the Falcons as a result of it believes Bijan Robinson might be a difference-maker down the stretch.
Our take: The Falcons appeared considerably higher with Michael Penix Jr. on the helm, however the Saints have good offensive firepower as properly. New Orleans might be emotional celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the Superdome re-opening following Hurricane Katrina, so do not be shocked if that increase is sufficient to put the Saints excessive on this matchup.
