The Microsoft Engine That Nailed The World Cup Is Predicting Every NFL Game — Here's Its Pick For The Super Bowl
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Microsoft's Cortana is picking the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl.
The predicted final score: Patriots 24, Seahawks 23.
Cortana is a Windows Phone virtual assistant that uses a Bing Predicts algorithm to predict every NFL game. It picks games straight up, not against the point spread.
It had a 178-88 (66.9%) record this season, which was nearly identical to that of the Las Vegas betting favorites. The Bing Predicts algorithm was beaten out by Nate Silver's ELO model, which went 184-82 (69.1%).
Cortana is 8-2 picking playoff games after correctly predicting both conference title games. While it's not as impressive as the 15-1 record it had in the World Cup knockout stages, it's still a strong finish.
Here is Cortana's Super Bowl pick. We'll update it throughout the week if it changes (Vegas favorite in parentheses):
Seattle Seahawks versus New England Patriots — Patriots win, 51.5% chance (Patriots -1)
Cortana and Vegas agree that the Pats are favored.
Here are Cortana's results 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
Week 8 — 10-5
Week 9 — 9-4
Week 10 — 9-4
Week 11 — 8-6
Week 12 — 11-4
Week 13 — 10-6
Week 14 — 10-6
Week 15 — 13-3
Week 16 — 9-7
Week 17 — 12-4
Round One — 3-1
Round Two — 3-1
Conference championships — 2-0
Total — 178-88
More From Business Insider
