The Microsoft Engine That Nailed The World Cup Is Predicting Every NFL Game - Here Are Its Picks For Week 8
It's now 69-37 (65%) on the year.
Cortana is a Windows Phone virtual assistant that's using an algorithm from Bing Predicts to pick every NFL game. The system correctly predicted 15 of 16 World Cup knockout stage games. After a so-so start to the NFL season, Cortana is 35-10 (78%) in the last three weeks.
Week 7 was another strong week for favorites across the board. Even though there were some high profile upsets (the Seahawks and Chargers both lost), Cortana went 11-4, Vegas favorites went 11-4, and Nate Silver's ELO model went 10-5.
On the season, Vegas favorites have a straight-up record of 70-36 and ELO is 74-32.
Here are Cortana's picks for Week 8 as of Wednesday morning. We'll update them throughout the week if they change (Vegas favorites in parentheses):
- San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos - Broncos win, 71.6% chance (Broncos -7.5)
- Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons - Lions win, 62.9% chance (Lions -3.5)
- St. Louis Rams vs. Kansas City Chiefs - Chiefs win, 71.6% chance (Chiefs -6.5)
- Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans - Texans win, 56.6% chance (Texans -1)
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Buccaneers win, 51.5% chance (Buccaneers -3)
- Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers - Seahawks win, 61.4% chance (Seahawks -4.5)
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals - Bengals win, 56.6% chance (Bengals -1)
- Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dolphins win, 62.9% chance (Dolphins -5.5)
- Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots - Patriots win, 76.7% chance (Patriots -6)
- Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets - Bills win, 56.6% chance (Jets -3)
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals - Cardinals win, 53.3% chance (Cardinals -2.5)
- Oakland Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns - Browns win, 65.9% chance (Browns -7)
- Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - Colts win, 56.6% chance (Colts -3)
- Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints - Saints win, 58.2% chance (Saints -1.5)
- Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys - Cowboys win, 81% chance (Cowboys -9.5)
Right now Vegas and Cortana disagree on one game, Jets-Bills. But there are so many close games this week that that may change by Sunday.
Here are Cortana's results so far this year:
- Week 1 - 10-6
- Week 2 - 9-7
- Week 3 - 10-6
- Week 4 - 5-8
- Week 5 - 13-2
- Week 6 - 11-4
- Week 7 - 11-4
- Total - 69-37