Fansided

Microsoft Cortana Predicts NFL Week 16 Games

By Charles Rahrig V

Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls an audible in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls an audible in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Windows Phone Assistant is coming off a hot week 15 predicting 13 of 16 games correctly.

Using the Bing Predicts algorithm compiling advanced statistics, Cortana is a step ahead in predicting outcomes of NFL games. After success at the World Cup this year, Cortana is currently boasting a 66.5 percent success rate, Cortana continues to gain credibility in their picks.

According to Business Insider, here are the week 16 picks:

Jacksonville Jaguars over Tennessee Titans with a 51.5% chance of victory

The big end of the season game on national television everyone is excited to watch right? At a 51.5 percent chance of victory, Cortana sees this as going either way but the extra 1.5 percent gives the edge to the Jaguars who are at home. In the first matchup the Titans edged out Jacksonville 16 – 14 but with the Titans down to Charlie Whitehurst on the road, it’s easy to see why Cortana has given the Jaguars the edge.

Philadelphia Eagles over Washington Redskins with a 72.9% chance of victory

Two teams with quarterback issues. One has a capable backup, the other is trying to get production from a quarterback anyway they can. The Eagles are looking to bounce back after losses to Seattle and Dallas. What better team to do it against than the sinking ship that is the Washington Redskins?

San Diego Chargers over San Francisco 49ers with a 51.5% chance of victory

Another almost 50/50 pick by Cortana. Jim Harbaugh rumors aside, this game depends on if the 49ers defense that showed up vs. Seattle shows up this week. With injuries to Carlos Hyde and Frank Gore, it might be up to Colin Kaepernick to take down the Chargers. With a Chargers team less depleted than the 49ers, Cortana goes with the Bolts.

Miami Dolphins over Minnesota Vikings with a 70.2% chance of victory

The Vikings are young and inexperienced while the Dolphins still find themselves alive in the AFC wild card race. With the Dolphins at home, Cortana gives the lock to Miami. Don’t sleep on this young Vikings team however.

Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans with a 56.6% chance of victory

The Baltimore Ravens need to win out and get help if they are going to make the playoffs. They are the favorites and Cortana’s pick to win but at only 56.6%, there leaves room that the Texans could surprise the Baltimore team who had trouble dispatching a bad Jaguars team last week. The Houston Texans miraculously are still mathematically alive in the postseason hunt as well. Can JJ Watt be the anchor towards a Texans upset?

Detroit Lions over Chicago Bears with a 64.4% chance of victory

The Detroit Lions could clinch a win Sunday with a victory and a Green Bay loss. The Lions defense is ready to pounce on newly starting quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who is stepping in for Jay Cutler. With a quarterback who hasn’t thrown a football in quite sometime against one of the leagues best defenses, Cortana gives the road Lions a 64.4% chance of victory.

Carolina Panthers over Cleveland Browns with a 61.4% chance of victory

Johnny Football gets his second go around against a Panthers team still alive in the NFC South. After last weeks abysmal showing, Manziel showed tremendous maturity in defeat. Defenses want to take him down over past college antics and this Panthers defense is in the top half of the league in pass defense. Cortana gives Carolina the edge at home.

New Orleans Saints over Atlanta Falcons with a 72.9% chance of victory

The rematch of the week one overtime game that left a bad taste in New Orleans’ mouth. The Saints have a chance to eliminate Atlanta from playoff contention Sunday and can clinch the South with a Carolina loss. The Saints looked better Monday night against Chicago and are at home this time around. Atlanta could be without Julio Jones and that could be costly.  Cortana gives the big edge to New Orleans at 72.9 percent.

Green Bay Packers over Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 78.9% chance of victory

Coming off a huge loss to the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay needs to win to stay alive in the NFC North race and the race for a first round bye. Playing a 2 – 12 Buccaneers team should help. Tampa Bay is only 24th against the pass. Aaron Rodgers should have a nice day. Cortana expects the Packers to win big with a 78.9 percent chance.

Pittsburgh Steelers over Kansas City Chiefs with a 68.8% chance of victory

Pittsburgh is in a fight for both the AFC North and a wild card birth. Kansas City is in a fight for their playoff lives. Pittsburgh has looked good the last two weeks with wins over Cincinnati and Atlanta. Kansas City defeated Oakland last week but has struggled on the road going just 3-4 this season. Cortana gives this game to the Steelers.

New England Patriots over New York Jets with a 78.9% chance of victory

Perhaps another one of the locks of the week, the surging Patriots travel to New York to take on their nemesis Rex Ryan. The Patriots are looking to lock up the number one seed in the AFC. The Jets are looking to lock up a good draft pick. Both teams have their priorities. Cortana gives the big advantage to New England here. Expect this one to be over quickly.

St. Louis Rams over New York Giants with a 68.8% chance of victory

The Rams haven’t allowed a touchdown in three weeks. They face a big task with rookie phenom Odell Beckham, Jr. coming to town. The Rams already dominated one Manning Brother this year at home, defeating Denver 22 – 7. Cortana expects them to dominate another with a 68.8 percent chance of victory for the Rams.

Buffalo Bills over Oakland Raiders with a 71.6% chance of victory

A defense on the rise vs. a team trying to build some confidence. Rookie quarterback Derek Carr has shown some promise but if Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers haven’t gotten anything going against Buffalo, neither will he. Buffalo is big road favorites here and look to stay alive in the playoff hunt.

Dallas Cowboys over Indianapolis Colts with 55% chance of victory

The Cowboys are undefeated on the road. Unfortunately for them, this game is at home. They face a Colts team with one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. Looking to further eradicate December demons, the Cowboys want to lock this game and the NFC East up. Cortana sees promise in the Cowboys and gives them the home advantage at 55 percent.

Seattle Seahawks over Arizona Cardinals with 64.4% chance of victory

The 12th man vs. the Next Man Up. Bruce Arians has taken a Cardinals roster currently led by Ryan Lindley and Kerwynn Williams and has them within one victory of the NFC West crown. Seattle however looks like the dominant force they were when they won the Super Bowl. With a chance to capture homefield throughout the playoffs, the stakes have never been higher. Cortana likes the defending champs against the injury riddled Cardinals at 64.4 percent.

Denver Broncos over Cincinnati Bengals with 64.4% chance of victory

Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning. The Broncos don’t want the playoffs to go through Foxborough and desperately need a win and some help. The Broncos have been committed to the running game. Look for that to open up their deadly passing game. Cortana likes Denver at 64.4%.

With Cortana’s week 16 picks on record it will be interesting to see if the hot streak continues again.

More from FanSided

Home/Arizona Cardinals