Pick'em Mode

Week 9
Optimized Hybrid
Uses XGBoost model predictions for close games, Vegas favorites for lopsided matchups. Backtested 2018-2024: 73.8% of max points.
0
Points Earned
136
Points Possible
0.0%
Percentage
0-0
Record
16
Pending
16
pts
New England Patriots New England Patriots
@
Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys *
2026-09-15 Favorite
NEW -13.5
Strong favorite
Pending
15
pts
Washington Commanders Washington Commanders *
@
Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns
2026-09-15 Favorite
CLE -13.3
Strong favorite
Pending
14
pts
Denver Broncos Denver Broncos *
@
Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings
2026-09-15 Favorite
MIN -11.9
Strong favorite
Pending
13
pts
New York Jets New York Jets
@
Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers *
2026-09-15 Favorite
NEW -12.2
Strong favorite
Pending
12
pts
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals *
@
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2026-09-15 Favorite
TAM -9.3
Clear favorite
Pending
11
pts
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles *
@
Chicago Bears Chicago Bears
2026-09-15 Favorite
CHI -8.9
Clear favorite
Pending
10
pts
Detroit Lions Detroit Lions
@
Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans *
2026-09-15 Favorite
DET -7.5
Clear favorite
Pending
9
pts
Las Vegas Raiders Las Vegas Raiders
@
Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers *
2026-09-15 Favorite
LAS -7.0
Clear favorite
Pending
8
pts
Houston Texans Houston Texans *
@
Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins
2026-09-15 Favorite
MIA -6.5
Moderate favorite
Pending
7
pts
Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts
@
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons *
2026-09-15 Favorite
IND -6.8
Moderate favorite
Pending
6
pts
New York Giants New York Giants *
@
Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills
2026-09-15 Favorite
BUF -4.5
Moderate favorite
Pending
5
pts
Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars
@
Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks *
2026-09-15 Favorite
JAC -4.3
Moderate favorite
Pending
4
pts
Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens
@
San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers *
2026-09-15 Model
SAN -1.9
Toss-up
Pending
3
pts
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints *
@
Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs
2026-09-15 Model
NEW -1.9
Toss-up
Pending
2
pts
Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals *
@
Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Chargers
2026-09-15 Model
ARI -0.3
Toss-up
Pending
1
pts
Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers *
@
Los Angeles Rams Los Angeles Rams
2026-09-15 Model
GRE -0.0
Toss-up
Pending

How Pick'em Scoring Works

  1. Pick the Winner: For each game, pick which team will win straight-up (no spread).
  2. Rank by Confidence: Assign confidence rankings 1-16 to each pick. 1 = least confident, 16 = most confident.
  3. Earn Points: If your pick is correct, you earn points equal to your confidence ranking.
  4. Strategy: This page uses the Optimized Hybrid strategy:
    • Close games (spread < 3 pts): Trust the XGBoost model predictions
    • Lopsided games (spread ≥ 3 pts): Trust the Vegas favorite
  5. Backtest Result: This hybrid strategy scores ~73.8% of maximum possible points over 7 years (2018-2024), outperforming "always favorite" by +1.3 percentage points.