Denver Broncos

NFL Week 8: 5 Teams on Upset Alert

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:30 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) celebrates his touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Keep an eye on these fives teams for being on upset alert heading into NFL Week 8 of the 2016 season.

With the halfway point of the 2016 season right around the corner, it’s time to take a look at five more teams on upset alert heading into NFL Week 8.

From the Philadelphia Eagles handing the Minnesota Vikings their first loss of the season to the San Diego Chargers overcoming a 17-point deficit to the Atlanta Falcons on the road, Week 7 was filled with everything football fans could ask for. So what’s in store for the upcoming weekend?

Well, let’s just say division rivalries is just one of many highlights when it comes to what’s in store for Week 8.

It’s hard to believe there are numerous teams within their respected divisions already squaring off for the second time this season, and if the first matchup is any indication of what to expect, they should live up to the hype once again. What makes these rivalries even more exciting to follow is how much of an impact they could have on the division standings.

Without wasting any more time, here’s a look at the five teams on upset alert heading into Week 8, starting off with the Minnesota Vikings as they prepare for a Monday night matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) in the huddle first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

5. Minnesota Vikings

All signs point to the Minnesota Vikings bouncing back from their first loss of the season to the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, but Mike Zimmer is smart enough to know Monday’s game against the Chicago Bears shouldn’t be taken lightly.

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Just because the Bears only have one win so far this season doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of defeating the Vikings, as division games always seem to bring out the best in teams. With the way things are turning out in Chicago after a 1-6 start, it’s safe to say this team isn’t going to make the postseason. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t make it interesting for the rest of the division.

There’s nothing the Bears would love more than to hand the Vikings their second loss of the season while playing in front of the national spotlight on Monday Night Football. Keep in mind that three of Chicago’s six losses have come by single digits, and if they can figure out a way to play like they did in the first half against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7, Minnesota could be in trouble.

Plus, the return of Jay Cutler at quarterback could finally give this offense the boost they’ve been waiting for, especially when it comes to Alshon Jeffery in the passing game.

Oct 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

4. New England Patriots

Prior to last weekend’s game against the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills were considered one of the hottest teams in football after winning four in a row following an 0-2 start. One of the most impressive wins during that streak came on the road against the New England Patriots in Week 4. But everybody knows that outcome most likely would have been different with Tom Brady in the lineup.

Brady will be back in the lineup for Sunday’s game between these two teams and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the future Hall of Famer will be playing with an extra chip on his shoulder for this one. It’s one thing for the Patriots to already have one loss on the season to the Bills, but the last thing Brady wants to see is his beloved team be swept by Rex Ryan.

As for Ryan’s perspective, the head coach is out to make a statement himself by proving his team is capable of beating New England with Brady in the lineup. Everybody can say what they want about the Bills winning this matchup in Week 4, but everybody knows the true test will be containing Brady. If Buffalo can figure out a way to make that happen on Sunday, one can only imagine the level of excitement Ryan will reach.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and cornerback Aqib Talib (21) during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3. Denver Broncos

Speaking of teams looking to avoid a second loss of the season against a division opponent, the Denver Broncos realize how much trouble they could be in if they fall to the San Diego Chargers again. While the Broncos will feel much better about playing at home this time around, it’s certainly not going to be easy to put up points on offense without C.J. Anderson.

The running back suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee as Denver will be forced to rely on Devontae Booker moving forward with Anderson’s return uncertain. Even though Booker has shown flashes of greatness, there’s no telling what to expect from the rookie when it comes to handling the responsibilities of the No. 1 running back.

San Diego may have started off the year with only one win over their first five games, but this team has quickly found a way to turn things around after back-to-back wins between Denver and the Atlanta Falcons. Between the adjustments at running back along with the inconsistency of Trevor Siemian at quarterback, the Broncos face an even tougher challenge this time around.

Division rivalries has been a common theme so far on this list, and just like the other favorites on this list, Denver needs to be on full alert against San Diego.

Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio walks off the field after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Oakland Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

2. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders have been one of the most fascinating teams from the first half of the 2016 season as four of the their five wins have come on the road. So with an away matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scheduled for Sunday, the Raiders should be able to increase that number to five of six, right?

Not so fast.

Oakland may be one of the best road teams in 2016, but Tampa Bay has put together some impressive wins of their own over the last two weeks as another victory Sunday would put them in much better shape for the NFC South hunt. Even if those wins came against the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, the Buccaneers offense has plenty of weapons in Jameis Winston and Mike Evans to give the Raiders plenty of problems on defense.

The fact that Oakland’s defense ranks near the bottom of the league, and they’re still 5-2 on the season is nothing short of amazing. With that being said, this game has the potential to turn into a shootout between these two teams, especially if Winston can pick up right where he left off following his three-touchdown performance against the 49ers.

1. Seattle Seahawks

New Orleans Saints fans (and Drew Brees) were crushed to see the organization trade Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks during the 2015 season when considering he was one of the league’s top pass-catching tight ends. There’s a good chance emotions will be running high when Graham returns to the city he spent the first five years of his career with, but let’s hope this homecoming doesn’t become a distraction.

In what turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of Week 7, the Seahawks are coming off a tough game against the Arizona Cardinals that ended in a 6-6 tie. Obviously, Arizona is never an easy environment to play in, but neither is New Orleans as Seattle will need to improve from their recent offensive woes.

Nothing says a great matchup like one of the league’s highest-powered offenses going against one of the top defenses as Brees will need to have a field day if the Saints are going to have any chance in this one. The defense may have their issues, but New Orleans knows this is a game they’re capable of winning against Seattle, as the hype surrounding Graham’s return should motivate the Saints even more.

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