NFL Picks Week 8: San Diego Chargers and Teams on Upset Alert

Now that we are entering Week 8 of the 2011 season, it's becoming clear which teams are going to be the top tier teams heading into the second half of the season.

Despite this, there still are elite teams that have the potential to be taken out on any given week.

They play the games for a reason.

Here are three teams with with winning records that are on upset alert this weekend.

San Diego Chargers

I'm not a believer in the San Diego Chargers. I'm less of a believer after they got taken out by the New York jets.

Their four wins have come against teams with a combined 6-19 record. Their two losses have come to teams that combine for a 9-4 record.

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming on strong. They started the season 0-3, but have won three straight.

They are looking at the chance of taking over the division this weekend.

Don't be surprised if they catch the Chargers off guard.

New England Patriots

There are very few teams in the NFL as good as the New England Patriots. The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of those teams.

Maybe Pittsburgh isn't quite on the same level, but there is no reason they can't take out the Patriots in Pittsburgh this weekend.

This is a Steelers team that relies on defense and ball control on offense.

If there is any weakness with the Patriots, it's on defense. If Pittsburgh can play good defense and keep the ball out of Brady's hands, this could be a potential upset.

Cincinnati Bengals

It feels weird to once again say the Bengals are a team on upset alert. At a 4-2 record, the Bengals are in the thick of things in the AFC North.

They have relied heavily on defense and running the ball on offense.

They could hit a rough spot this weekend. The Seahawks have done a good job holding the run this year.

The Bengals will also be without running back Cedric Benson this weekend.

The Seahawks have been spotty this year. If they put together four full quarters, this Bengals team will have their hands full.