NFL 2025 Season Pick’em Tournament

WEEK 4

Welcome back to Fans v. AI v. Wife NFL Pick’em. Last week was the first time we had a tie. Once again, the Smile of the Week goes to a player with 12 wins. AI had a strong week with 12 wins, but Wife once again claimed 12 wins. Because of tie breaker rules, Wife wins her second Smile of the Week!

Smiles of the Week Victory Speech (Wife)

Hiiiiii. I won because of a tie but a win is a win and the Niners won so in my book I’m pretty happy.

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 let’s get to our picks!

Week 3 in the books and the Wife gained a game on her season standing lead with myself now two games behind (three with tiebreaker). AI broke the tie with Savannah (Fans) with a strong week. Another week with six unanimous correct picks. And the Browns pulled off the upset that none of us saw coming. Three weeks down. Now onto our picks…

Master Table Pick (Week 4)

Game	Raymond	Savannah	AI	Wife
SEA @ ARI	SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA
MIN @ PIT	MIN	MIN	MIN	PIT
TEN @ HOU	HOU	HOU	TEN	TEN
WSH @ ATL	WSH	ATL	ATL	WSH
NO @ BUF	BUF	BUF	BUF	BUF
CLE @ DET	DET	DET	CLE	DET
CAR @ NE	NE	NE	NE	CAR
LAC @ NYG	LAC	LAC	LAC	LAC
PHI @ TB	PHI	TB	PHI	PHI
IND @ LAR	IND	IND	LAR	IND
JAX @ SF	SF	SF	SF	SF
BAL @ KC	BAL	BAL	KC	KC
CHI @ LV	LV	CHI	LV	CHI
GB @ DAL	GB	DAL	GB	GB
NYJ @ MIA	MIA	NYJ	MIA	MIA
CIN @ DEN	DEN	CIN	DEN	CIN

Game-by-Game Analysis

SEA @ ARI (Thu Night)

Raymond: SEA – An interesting divisional matchup. Both teams’ only loss came against the 49ers, in a close game. The Cardinals did lose Conner for the season. I keep flip flopping my decision, but I think the safer beat is going with the road team. Seahawks.

Savannah: SEA – This game could go either way, really, but I think with the injuries on the Cardinals side, the Seahawks will get the win.

AI: SEA – Seattle’s offense is sharper and more consistent; Arizona lacks depth at RB and WR.

Wife: SEA

MIN @ PIT (Sun – Dublin, AM game)

Raymond: MIN – These are not the same Vikings from last season, but I don’t think the Steelers are that good, even though they are 2-1. With J.J. McCarthy out but an oversea game, making this a road trip for both teams, I give a tiny edge to Minnesota.

Savannah: MIN – Ireland game! Going for the Vikings since I have more faith in them than I do in the Steelers.

AI: MIN – Vikings’ offense is steadier, and neutral field removes Steelers’ home edge.

Wife: PIT

TEN @ HOU

Raymond: HOU – Two winless teams hoping to finally get their first win. Sorry, Ward, but I don’t think you’ll get your first win in the NFL on the road in Houston. Texans in an ugly game.

Savannah: HOU – Someone’s going to be getting their first win and I think it’s going to be the Texans. They have home advantage and I think Stroud is just off to a rough start this season.

AI: TEN – Titans’ defense can capitalize on Houston mistakes.

Wife: TEN

WSH @ ATL

Raymond: WSH – Daniels still out, but the Commanders backup, Mariota seems more than capable in this offense. Besides, I think Mariota in Washington’s offense is better than Penix Jr in Atlanta, even with McLaurin out. Commanders.

Savannah: ATL – I was going to pick the Commanders until I saw that their whole offense is basically out due to injuries. Never thought the Falcons would be favored to win, especially against a team like the Commanders, who could easily win, but I think Atlanta may be able to pull through with the win at home.

AI: ATL – Falcons at home should be able to edge Washington in a close one.

Wife: WSH

NO @ BUF

Raymond: BUF – Do I need to say more? Bills.

Savannah: BUF – I will be rooting for the Bills as strongly as I root for the Cowboys. Josh Allen may become my second favorite football player in the league right now. Saints, well, they’re just a disappointment, so I’m expecting them to be blown out.

AI: BUF – Bills are dominant at home, Saints inconsistent on both sides of the ball.

Wife: BUF

CLE @ DET

Raymond: DET – The Browns won last week but were the Packers looking ahead to this week’s matchup against the Cowboys? I don’t expect a winning streak for the Browns especially on the road. Lions.

Savannah: DET – Lions are the better team and they’re at home. I think the Browns will be too cocky from their (unexpected and lucky) win last week, but the Lions will show them that they’re still trash like always.

AI: CLE – Browns’ front seven can control the line and disrupt Detroit.

Wife: DET

CAR @ NE

Raymond: NE – I feel like Vrabel will figure out the offense this week after a terrible performance last week, but within reach for the win. I still don’t have much faith in Carolina. Patriots.

Savannah: NE – Both teams are honestly sad, but I think the Patriots will get the win.

AI: NE – Patriots’ home field advantage tips the balance in a toss-up game.

Wife: CAR

LAC @ NYG

Raymond: LAC – Undefeated Chargers visit the winless Giants. I don’t expect anything will change after this one. Chargers stay undefeated.

Savannah: LAC – I went for the Giants last week, even though I knew deep down I shouldn’t have, but this week I know they’ll lose. The Chargers are doing pretty well and they’ll hand New York their fourth loss in a row. My best guy friend, Tyler, will be at this game, so I hope he prepares for another let down, lol.

AI: LAC – Chargers’ passing attack outmatches Giants’ secondary.

Wife: LAC

PHI @ TB

Raymond: PHI – An NFC showdown with two undefeated teams. The Eagles keep finding a way to win. Will it be the tush push this week? Another special team miracle? Or maybe an explosive offensive touchdown as time expires? Who knows, but if I have to bet, I expect Philadelphia to hand Tampa Bay their first loss of the season. Eagles.

Savannah: TB – Why would I pick the Eagles? I hate them, and I think the Buccaneers can give them a run for their money. They’re both undefeated right now so one of them is going to take an L, I just hope it’s Philadelphia since the Rams let me down last week and couldn’t do it.

AI: PHI – Eagles’ balanced roster and experience give them the edge.

Wife: PHI

IND @ LAR

Raymond: IND – My Upset Pick of the Week. My gut is telling me the Colts stay undefeated with their run game and Daniel Jones playing efficient and mistake free. Sure, Stafford probably has better numbers in this game, but I see a pick or two costing the Rams. Colts.

Savannah: IND – Rams blew it against the Eagles last week, so I am not putting my trust in them again, and even though I hate to say it, Daniel Jones has been playing exceptionally well. The Colts are undefeated and I believe they’ll stay that way.

AI: LAR – Rams tend to play strong at home; Colts shaky in road environments.

Wife: IND

JAX @ SF

Raymond: SF – No Bosa, but Purdy back. The Niners should find a way to stay undefeated at home. SF!

Savannah: SF – Brock Purdy is back! Although San Francisco has a few other injuries too, I think they can secure this win against the Jaguars to stay undefeated.

AI: SF – 49ers’ defense and run game control tempo.

Wife: SF

BAL @ KC

Raymond: BAL – Normally I would pick KC at home, but they can’t run the ball well besides Mahomes scrambling. And they don’t look like the same old Chiefs. This should be an awesome game that comes down to the end. I give the edge to Baltimore and their running game. Ravens.

Savannah: BAL – This was a hard choice. If it was last year, I’d go for the Chiefs, but they’ve been going downhill while the Ravens seem to be a little more sturdier, so I’m going for Baltimore.

AI: KC – Mahomes and the Chiefs at home usually deliver in big matchups.

Wife: KC

CHI @ LV

Raymond: LV – Our offensive line looks bad. Very bad. I am losing hope for this team to turn it around as each week passes. Part of me wants to pick the Bears, but Pete Carroll must have a plan to patch up the offensive line, if he’s as good as people say. I am also hoping playing at home gives enough of an edge for the win. Gooo Raiders!!!

Savannah: CHI – Even though they beat the Cowboys last week, I’m picking them to win. The Raiders are home, but they lost their last home game. Bears are shaky on away games, but I’ll give it to them.

AI: LV – Raiders’ home field gives them the edge over Bears’ rebuild.

Wife: CHI

GB @ DAL

Raymond: GB – Revenge game for Parson’s and Green Bay. This should be an epic game. I can see this going down to the wire and Dak throwing a Pick or Parsons coming up with a sack to end the game. Packers.

Savannah: DAL – Obviously I’m going for the Cowboys, even though they upset me last week. I have to ride for my team through the ups and downs, and the highs and lows. We’re also home, but the Packers have Parsons now, who’ll know all our weak spots and no doubt exploit them. It’ll probably be a close game, but I’m hoping the Cowboys can get this win, maybe with a Brandon Aubrey field goal at the end.

AI: GB – Packers’ passing game should shred Dallas’ weak pass defense.

Wife: GB

NYJ @ MIA (Mon Night)

Raymond: MIA – Divisional battle of the undefeated and for the #1 Pick. Jets fans are probably rooting for a loss here. Could say the same in Miami. But I think the Dolphins get their first win at home. Miami.

Savannah: NYJ – Both teams have yet to win. The Dolphins are home, and they’ve been dominating the Jets in their last ten games against each other, but I need the Jets to win so I can win this tie breaker. Come on Jets!

AI: MIA – Dolphins’ speed and home environment too much for Jets.

Wife: MIA

CIN @ DEN (Mon Night)

Raymond: DEN – Bengals were embarrassed last week without Burrow. I expect a better performance for Cincinnati, but at the Mile High, it won’t be enough. Broncos.

Savannah: CIN – This was tricky, and I almost went for the Broncos since Burrow is out and Denver is home, but something is telling me to go for the Bengals so I will.

AI: DEN – Altitude and Broncos’ home advantage will be tough for Bengals.

Wife: CIN

Standings (After Week 3)

Picker	Week 3 Record	Smiles of the Week	Season Record
Raymond (Fans)	11-5	1	32-16
Savannah (Fans)	8-8	0	26-22
AI	12-4	0	30-18
Wife	12-4	2 (1)	34-14

* Numbers in parenthesis are Smiles of the Week won by tiebreaker.