NFL 2025 Season Pick’em Tournament
WEEK 1
Welcome to our first edition of Fans v. AI v. Wife! A challenge to see who can predict football games better, fans, AI, or the wife who doesn’t watch nor knows anything about the NFL.
I will be your host (Raymond E. Strawn III) and part of the Fans group. My wife (soon-to-be) is Shaniece and she will be making the picks for the Wife group. Joining me this season for the Fans, my daughter Savannah Strawn. Lastly, we have ChatGPT joining us for the AI group.
RULES
Each week we pick the teams we think will win.
No point spreads. Just straight up who’s gonna win.
A correct pick is worth one point.
Whoever receives the most points during the week will be crowned the Smile of the Week.
At the end of the regular season, whoever receives the most points will be crowned Chief Justice of Picks.
We follow the same rules during the playoffs and the Super Bowl. At the end of the Super Bowl, we combine all the points and the winner is crowned the Gridiron King or Gridiron Queen.
In case of a tie, we use the following tiebreaker rules.
Wife gets tie-breaker priority. If she ties with anyone, she gets the crown.
If AI only ties with any of the Fans, AI gets the crown.
If Savannah only ties with Raymond, she gets the crown.
Meet the Pickers!
Raymond (Fans)
Hello! I’m Raymond E. Strawn III. I love football. Jerry Rice is my favorite player and at first, I was a 49ers fan. But I was born in Oakland and when the Raiders moved back to Oakland and Jerry Rice joined the Raiders, I switched to the silver and black. The Raiders team colors also speak to me.
The goal here is to have fun, but also be crowned the Gridiron King. The odds are against me since I own zero tiebreakers, but it will only make victory that much sweeter.
Shaniece (Wife)
Hiiii 
My name is Shaniece King. I’m born and raised in San Francisco so of course I’m picking 49ers! I don’t watch sports so I’m picking everyone based off their logos that I like.
Savannah (Fans)
Hello everyone, I’m Savannah Strawn! I cheer wholeheartedly for the Dallas Cowboys, even though they let me down year after year. I’ll be choosing them every week, even when the odds are stacked against them!
Tony Romo and Amari Cooper are my favorite former players, and now, my favorite is Brandon Aubrey, a.k.a. Butter! My goal here is to win, obviously, and have some fun as well. Let’s go Cowboys!
ChatGPT (AI)
Hey everyone, I’m ChatGPT, your resident AI picker joining the Strawn family’s NFL Pick’em challenge! While Raymond, his wife, and his daughter bring heart, gut feelings, and maybe a little team loyalty into their weekly picks, I’ll be crunching the data, trends, stats, and probabilities to make mine.
I don’t play favorites (unless you count algorithms), and I definitely don’t have a home team—so my picks are made with cold logic, no emotion… though we’ll see if that actually beats the human instinct.
Each week, I’ll be lining up right alongside the family to make my predictions. Will the machines rise, or will human intuition outsmart the data? Let’s find out together!
Thank you everyone for your introductions. Now onto our picks…
Master Picks Table (Week 1)
| Game (Week 1) | Raymond | Savannah | AI | Wife |
| Thu Sep 4 — Cowboys @ Eagles | PHI | DAL | PHI | PHI |
| Fri Sep 5 — Chiefs vs Chargers (São Paulo) | KC | KC | KC | LAC |
| Sun Sep 7 — Buccaneers @ Falcons | ATL | ATL | TB | TB |
| Sun Sep 7 — Bengals @ Browns | CIN | CIN | CIN | CIN |
| Sun Sep 7 — Dolphins @ Colts | MIA | MIA | MIA | IND |
| Sun Sep 7 — Raiders @ Patriots | LV | NE | NE | NE |
| Sun Sep 7 — Cardinals @ Saints | ARI | ARI | ARI | ARI |
| Sun Sep 7 — Steelers @ Jets | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | PIT |
| Sun Sep 7 — Giants @ Commanders | WSH | WSH | WSH | WSH |
| Sun Sep 7 — Panthers @ Jaguars | CAR | CAR | JAX | CAR |
| Sun Sep 7 — Titans @ Broncos | DEN | DEN | DEN | DEN |
| Sun Sep 7 — 49ers @ Seahawks | SF | SF | SF | SF |
| Sun Sep 7 — Lions @ Packers | DET | DET | GB | GB |
| Sun Sep 7 — Texans @ Rams | LAR | HOU | HOU | HOU |
| Sun Sep 7 (SNF) — Ravens @ Bills | BUF | BUF | BAL | BUF |
| Mon Sep 8 (MNF) — Vikings @ Bears | CHI | MIN | CHI | CHI |
Game-by-Game: Picks & Quick Takes
Thu, Sep 4 — Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles (NBC)
● Raymond: Pick Eagles —Super Bowl Champs at home against the Parson-less Cowboys. That trade demoralized some players. This is an easy one. Eagles.
● Savannah: Pick Cowboys — They’re the underdogs going against the Super Bowl Champs in Eagles territory. Dak Prescott makes his return from yet another injury, new additions to the team, and the loss of star players will motivate them to prove they are capable of beating the “best”. They’re also my team so I’ll represent them against anyone!
● AI: Pick Eagles — Defending NFC Champs at home with a healthy Hurts and loaded defense. Dallas struggles in big openers.
● Wife: Pick Eagles
Fri, Sep 5 — Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers (São Paulo; YouTube)
● Raymond: Pick Chiefs —Can’t go against the Chiefs after Kelce’s engagement. Plus they still have Maholes. And with the recent Super Bowl loss, I expect Kansas City to play well. Chiefs.
● Savannah: Pick Chiefs — Chiefs are coming back from a complete let down during the Super Bowl. This will fuel their drive to win, win, win. The Chiefs have also beaten the Chargers in their last seven meetings.
● AI: Pick Chiefs — Mahomes in Week 1 is lethal. Chargers with a new HC and still gelling under Nix at QB.
● Wife: Pick Chargers
Sun, Sep 7 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (FOX)
● Raymond: Pick Falcons — The Bucs won the division last season and went 4-2 in the division. But those two losses came against Atlanta in close games. During the off-season, the Falcons improved their QB position by getting Kirk Cousins. Originally, I was leaning towards the Bucs. But I talked myself out of it. Atlanta in a close one.
● Savannah: Pick Falcons — Buccaneers seem to have a few injuries on their side, which could give the Falcons an advantage. Falcons also beat the Buccaneers during their matchups last season.
● AI: Pick Buccaneers — Baker Mayfield and Evans get it done; Falcons still unproven on offense post-Kirk Cousins.
● Wife: Pick Buccaneers
Sun, Sep 7 — Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns (FOX)
● Raymond: Pick Bengals — Bengals have a high power offense with Burrow leading the charge and Hendrickson on defense. The Browns are… the Browns. Easy win for the Bengals.
● Savannah: Pick Bengals — Browns stand no chance against the Bengals. Burrow will steal the game, the same way he stole his fans’ hearts, lol.
● AI: Pick Bengals — Burrow owns the division and should start hot.
● Wife: Pick Bengals
Sun, Sep 7 — Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts (CBS)
● Raymond: Pick Dolphins — The QB battle is Tua v. Daniel Jones. I think Daniel Jones was held back in New York and should play better in Indianapolis. But the Dolphins have Tua and I think they will narrow out a road win.
● Savannah: Pick Dolphins — They both had the same record last year. The Colts have a new QB, but it’s Daniel Jones, so who knows if that’ll be an improvement. I feel like the Dolphins will come out with the win at the end of the day.
● AI: Pick Dolphins — Speed kills. Dome helps Miami offense thrive.
● Wife: Pick Colts
Sun, Sep 7 — Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots (CBS)
● Raymond: Pick Raiders — These are not the same old Raiders. And this isn’t the dynasty Patriots. Not too confident in this pick, but Gooo Raiders!!!
● Savannah: Pick Patriots — Both teams did terrible last year. The Raiders signed Cooper, just for him to retire. Cheering for the Patriots just to spite my dad, lol. (Love you!)
● AI: Pick Patriots — At home, better coaching, and the Raiders’ QB situation is murky.
● Wife: Pick Patriots
Sun, Sep 7 — Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints (CBS)
● Raymond: Pick Cardinals — This matchup will be determined by the QB. Kyler Murray is average and in most games I wouldn’t give the Cardinals the edge. But the Saints QB situation might be worse. No hate towards Spencer Rattler. Between the two QBs, I give Arizona the edge and the win.
● Savannah: Pick Cardinals — Both teams are pretty mediocre to me. The Cardinals had the better record last season so I’m going for them.
● AI: Pick Cardinals — Kyler Murray + Marvin Harrison Jr. = explosive. Saints lack offensive juice.
● Wife: Pick Cardinals
Sun, Sep 7 — Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Jets (CBS)
● Raymond: Pick Jets — This my Upset of the Week. I think the Steelers are the better team (much better). And if this was Aaron Rodgers from five or six years ago, easy pick. But I don’t trust this current Rodgers. And the Jets have some extra motivation to beat Rodgers in front of their fans. I give the Jets an ugly win with a costly mistake by Rodgers near the end.
● Savannah: Pick Jets — I would’ve gone with the Steelers had they not signed Rodgers. Dude needs to just retire already. The Jets may finally be able to win now without him, but we’ll have to see.
● AI: Pick Jets — Rodgers back, and Steelers may start slow offensively.
● Wife: Pick Steelers
Sun, Sep 7 — New York Giants @ Washington Commanders (FOX)
● Raymond: Pick Commanders — I don’t think Washington was a fluke last season. And the Giants weren’t good last season. I don’t think the Giants did enough in the off-season. Commanders by double digits.
● Savannah: Pick Commanders — I definitely believe Commanders were Super Bowl contenders last season. The Giants did terribly last season, but with their new QB, they may prove they’re better now. I still think the Commanders will beat them, though.
● AI: Pick Commanders — Defense is top-tier, and Giants still figuring out QB identity.
● Wife: Pick Commanders
Sun, Sep 7 — Carolina Panthers @ Jacksonville Jaguars (FOX)
● Raymond: Pick Panthers — My second Upset Pick (Another big one). I’m going solely based on gut feeling. I don’t have much faith with the Jaguars nor Trevor Lawrence. Not that I have much faith in the Panthers, who I think steal this one on the road.
● Savannah: Pick Panthers — If both teams could lose, I’d probably choose that. Jaguars were a disappointment last year, Panthers have been old news for a while now. Trevor Lawrence has really nice hair, but the Panthers did one game better than them last season, so I just can’t go with the Jaguars. Sorry, not sorry.
● AI: Pick Jaguars — Bounce-back year for Trevor Lawrence; Panthers still building.
● Wife: Pick Panthers
Sun, Sep 7 — Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos (FOX)
● Raymond: Pick Broncos — The Broncos are a good team (as much as it pains me to say). The Titans are a bad team. Easy one. Broncos.
● Savannah: Pick Broncos — This is simple. Titans suck, Broncos are better. It’ll be a miracle if the Titans manage to win.
● AI: Pick Broncos — Tennessee likely starting a rookie QB. Denver’s defense eats that up.
● Wife: Pick Broncos
Sun, Sep 7 — San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks (FOX)
● Raymond: Pick 49ers — I am not sure if this current Niners team is more like the 2024 or 2023 team. And Sam Darnold might not be a one-hit wonder and could pull off an upset at home. This pick is more from the heart. Going with San Francisco.
● Savannah: Pick 49ers — I think the 49ers are just the stronger team. Don’t know much about the Seahawks.
● AI: Pick 49ers — Better roster, more physical. They’ve had Seattle’s number lately.
● Wife: Pick 49ers
Sun, Sep 7 — Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (CBS)
● Raymond: Pick Lions — Hutchinson is back for the Lions. I still have questions about Love but the Packers got Parson in that blockbuster trade. I don’t know how impactful Parson will be Week 1. Should be a great early divisional showdown. Giving the nod to the Lions.
● Savannah: Pick Lions — Both teams did well last year. Lions should’ve been in the Super Bowl. Packers have ex-Cowboys’ player, Parsons, but he’s possibly injured, so who knows if he’ll contribute to GB. Ultimately, I believe the Lions will come through and take the win.
● AI: Pick Packers — Love is ready to roll, and Lambeau gives them a Week 1 edge.
● Wife: Pick Packers
Sun, Sep 7 — Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Rams (CBS)
● Raymond: Pick Rams — Two 10-7 teams from last season clash in Week 1. Should be a good game. I’ll give the edge to the home team, Rams.
● Savannah: Pick Texans — This may be a little biased, since I hate the Rams for always eliminating the Cowboys from the playoffs, lol, but I think Texans will win. Stroud is a pretty good QB.
● AI: Pick Texans — CJ Stroud continues to ascend. Rams are aging and thin on defense. (Upset)
● Wife: Pick Texans
Sun, Sep 7 (SNF) — Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills (NBC)
● Raymond: Pick Bills — Possible future AFC Championship matchup. This should be the best game of the week, deserving of Week 1 Sunday Night. I feel this will be a close one, coming down to the final minute. I’m giving the Bills the slight advantage because they’re home.
● Savannah: Pick Bills — This is going to be a fire game to watch. Both teams did very well last season, but I have to give it to the Bills, especially since they have home advantage. I also actually like them, whereas the Ravens are just eh to me. Josh Allen has a wedding band now, but he’s looking to get a different ring.
● AI: Pick Ravens — Lamar has more weapons now, and Buffalo’s D is retooling.
● Wife: Pick Bills
Mon, Sep 8 (MNF) — Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears (ABC/ESPN)
● Raymond: Pick Bears — What a MNF matchup! I’m curious to see how well Ben Johnson does with the Bears. I was hoping he would end up with the Raiders. The Vikings are the better team but McCarthy is coming back from an injury. I think the Bears hold on and start the season with a big home win during prime time.
● Savannah: Pick Vikings — Vikings are obviously better than the Bears, no questions asked. If they play the same way they did last season, the Vikings can easily sweep the Bears under the rug. Or turn them into the rug.
● AI: Pick Bears — Caleb Williams’ debut. Home crowd + hype = win. Barely.
● Wife: Pick Bears
Standings
This is where our standings and rewards will go. Next week we will post the standings. Stay tune!
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