NFL Week 8 Predictions: Kansas City Chiefs and More Underdogs with Bite

It’s hard to imagine that Week 8 will have any upsets to match the Jaguars’ win over Baltimore, but that doesn’t mean that this week’s favorites can rest easy. This trio of underdogs are set up to give their opponents all they can handle this weekend:

Kansas City Chiefs

Largely forgotten after a dreadful start, the Chiefs have won three in a row and are coming off a decisive victory in Oakland. On their home field against the banged-up Chargers, they’ve got a fine chance to extend their winning streak.

The latest San Diego injury news—the concussion that will keep Kris Dielman out of action on Monday night—leaves San Diego’s vaunted offense vulnerable. With the Kansas City D already amped up after scoring two TDs against the Raiders, it’s going to take an outstanding performance from the Chargers to avoid the upset.

Minnesota Vikings

Road games with rookie quarterbacks are rarely a fun enterprise, but Christian Ponder won’t be the main factor in determining whether Minnesota comes out on top. Star RB Adrian Peterson has a great opportunity to win the game by himself as he squares off with one of the league’s worst run defenses in Carolina.

A steady diet of Peterson will not only keep the Vikings’ offense moving, but also chew up clock and keep the dangerous Cam Newton on the sidelines. Ponder will have his problems, but for this week, Peterson’s dominance should be enough to give the Vikings the win.

Dallas Cowboys

Another case of the right running back at the right time, Dallas’ DeMarco Murray blew up last week for 253 yards against the Rams. Philadelphia’s run defense, though not as atrocious as it was to start the season, has been vulnerable to exactly the kind of game-breaking runs that Murray piled up.

With the Cowboys on the road, Murray won’t have as easy a time of it, but don’t expect Michael Vick and Co. to romp here. If Vick has one of his multi-interception debacles, Dallas will jump all over the Eagles.