USA TODAY Sports’ Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaca discuss whether the NFL world jumped the gun on calling the Packers Super Bowl contenders.
For the third consecutive week, Microsoft Copilot AI has posted a winning record its its USA TODAY Sports-assisted efforts to pick the winner of every game during the 2025 NFL season.
Will Copilot be able to rebound a bit in NFL Week 5? USA TODAY Sports is continuing its experiment with just 14 games being played in Week 5, as four teams are on bye.
- Can you predict the winner and the score of the Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers NFL Week 5 game?
This process was repeated for all 14 of the NFL’s Week 5 matchups, with the appropriate games being swapped it for each additional prompt.
Typically, Copilot did not have any issues interpreting the prompts. That said, it sometimes produced outdated or incorrect information, particularly about injuries. That wasn’t overly surprising, as some Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle to keep up with the latest sports news and updates.
When Copilot produced these errors, the chatbot was simply prompted to fix the errors and reassess.
Below is a summation of Copilot’s picks for Week 5, along with a brief, human-crafted analysis of each of the chatbot’s answers.
NFL Week 5 picks: AI predicts scores for every game
- Copilot’s Week 4 results: 9-6-1
- Copilot’s 2025 season record: 39-24-1
Los Angeles Rams 27, San Francisco 49ers 20
AI’s take: Copilot doesn’t like the idea of backing the 49ers, who are “significantly banged up” thanks to injuries to Brandon Aiyuk, Nick Bosa and George Kittle. The chatbot was also concerned Brock Purdy may not play or be 100% because of his turf toe injury, so it’s picking the Rams with Davante Adams and Puka Nacua “thriving.”
Our take: We agree with Copilot here. The 49ers are certainly dealing with a lot of injuries, and short-week games tend to favor the healthier team. The Rams could easily be 4-0 if not for two field goal blocks by the Eagles, so expect them to win this one.
Minnesota Vikings 20, Cleveland Browns 13
AI’s take: Copilot credited Carson Wentz as having “sparked” the Vikings‘ offense, as it’s averaging 25.5 points per game in his starts. It also opined Minnesota’s travel advantage, having played in Dublin before making the short trip to London, would give it an edge in that area over Cleveland.
Our take: Copilot might be putting a bit too much stock into Wentz’s impact, as a majority of Minnesota’s scoring came in his first start, a game during which the Vikings scored two defensive touchdowns. The Vikings are also dealing with numerous offensive line injuries, so it’s tough to trust them implicitly in this spot even as Dillon Gabriel makes his first-ever NFL start.
Indianapolis Colts 31, Las Vegas Raiders 21
AI’s take: Geno Smith‘s turnover issues are the subject of Copilot’s ire. It doesn’t trust the Raiders offense to avoid mistakes against a Colts defense that has forced six turnovers (tied for seventh-most in the NFL) and also likes what Jonathan Taylor has been able to achieve in the early stages of the season.
Our take: The Colts held their own with the 3-1 Rams last week and are still averaging just 1.25 punts per game thus far. They should have a leg up against a leaky Raiders defense coming off a tight loss to the Bears.
New York Giants 22, New Orleans Saints 19
AI’s take: Copilot was encouraged by Jaxson Dart‘s debut, saying the first-round rookie “impressed” in an upset victory over the Chargers. It trusts Dart more than Spencer Rattler, as it noted the second-year quarterback’s 0-10 record as a starter while expressing a belief the Giants defense “could pressure Rattler into mistakes.”
Our take: Dart won’t have an easy task winning on the road in the Superdome without his top pass-catching weapon, Malik Nabers. He could do it, but this figures to be a close one.
Dallas Cowboys 31, New York Jets 24
AI’s take: Copilot praised Dak Prescott for his ability to keep Dallas’ passing game in order with CeeDee Lamb out of the lineup while also highlighting Javonte Williams‘ contributions. It also isn’t a fan of the Jets’ defense, noting its averages of 31 points and 440.3 yards per game as potential problem spots against an offense that is playing well.
Our take: Copilot seems more confident in Justin Fields, who it said has been “solid” through three weeks, than we are. This game could become a blowout if Fields can’t push the ball downfield a bit more before garbage time.
Philadelphia Eagles 24, Denver Broncos 17
AI’s take: Copilot is excited to see what Saquon Barkley can do against a tough Denver run defense that is allowing 99.3 rushing yards per game. The chatbot anticipates the combined efficiency of Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ defense will make it hard for the Broncos to get the ball and score during their Sunday matchup.
Our take: The Broncos’ two losses this season have been by a combined four points, so maybe Denver can keep this close. Still, Philadelphia’s ability to dominate time of possession should give it the upper hand, even with top receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith struggling.
Miami Dolphins 24, Carolina Panthers 20
AI’s take: No Tyreek Hill, no problem for the Dolphins. Copilot believes Jaylen Waddle will be able to find success against the Panthers after Stefon Diggs‘ solid Week 4 showing while noting De’Von Achane “should thrive” against a Carolina defense allowing 129.3 rushing yards per game.
Our take: The Dolphins just forced three turnovers against the Jets while avoiding any of their own. If they can do that against the Panthers, Mike McDaniel’s squad should earn another win.
Houston Texans 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
AI’s take: Copilot is worried about how the Ravens offense will look with Lamar Jackson (hamstring) doubtful for this week’s game. It opined Baltimore’s offensive ceiling would be “significantly lower” with Cooper Rush against a Texans defense that is allowing a league-low 12.8 points per game.
Our take: Jackson isn’t the only Ravens injury about which to be worried. The team also placed top defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike on IR this week while star linebacker Roquan Smith might also miss the contest. Houston should be able to move the ball well as a result, which could lead the Ravens to a fourth loss in five games.
Arizona Cardinals 27, Tennessee Titans 13
AI’s take: Cam Ward‘s performance through one month hasn’t inspired confidence, in Copilot’s opinion. It believes Arizona’s fifth-ranked scoring defense will give him trouble while crediting Kyler Murray for being “resilient” and nearly leading his team to a comeback in Week 4 against the Seahawks.
Our take: Copilot has the right idea about fading Tennessee. Until Brian Callahan’s squad shows any signs of life, it’s hard to pick them to be competitive in many games after being shut out by the previously winless Texans.
Seattle Seahawks 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
AI’s take: Copilot praised Seattle for sporting an efficient offense while also highlighting its performance defensively. It noted the team could pressure the “volatile” Baker Mayfield and create some negative plays in their squad’s favor.
Our take: The Buccaneers may be down their top running back (Bucky Irving) in addition to their top receiver (Mike Evans) for this contest. It’s hard to back them against a strong defense with that in mind.
Detroit Lions 30, Cincinnati Bengals 17
AI’s take: Copilot’s reason for backing the Lions is simple. Detroit is averaging an impressive 34.3 points per game this season while the Bengals have been outscored 76-13 without Joe Burrow. The AI chatbot also pointed out the struggles of Cincinnati’s offensive line, which ranks last in the league in pass-block win rate, in its analysis.
Our take: Yeah, there’s no reason to back the Bengals against high-level competition without Burrow. Good pick, Copilot!
Los Angeles Chargers 27, Washington Commanders 23
AI’s take: Copilot noted the Commanders are dealing with “a tough travel stretch,” playing their third road game in four weeks. That led it to give the Chargers an edge, as the chatbot expects a bounce-back from Justin Herbert after a “rough” outing in a loss to the Giants.
Our take: Jayden Daniels seems likely to return to action, so this could be a true, coin-flip game. Expect it to be one of the most competitive contests of the week.
Buffalo Bills 30, New England Patriots 24
AI’s take: Once again, Copilot is happy to support Josh Allen with the reigning MVP showing good form through four weeks. It believes the Bills can also pressure Drake Maye, which could make life difficult for the young quarterback.
Our take: That Copilot views this as a one-score game is a good sign the Patriots are making strides as they rebuild on the fly under Mike Vrabel’s tutelage. Still, it’s probably too early in the process to back New England as a road dog in Buffalo on “Sunday Night Football.”
Kansas City Chiefs 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 21
AI’s take: Copilot thinks Patrick Mahomes is “heating up” and noted the impact Xavier Worthy‘s return had for the Chiefs in their 37-20 win over the Ravens. It also isn’t sure whether the Jaguars will continue to dominate the turnover battle – they have a league-high 13 takeaways – against a Chiefs offense that has only once turned the ball over.
Our take: The Jaguars are fresh off a solid win over the 49ers, so their 3-1 record appears to be legit. Still, it’s hard to deny the Chiefs aren’t the best matchup for them, so expect Kansas City to win a third straight game in Week 5.
