NFL Week 8 Picks: Which Teams Will Emerge as Clear Contenders?

Emerging as a clear division or conference title contender in the NFL is arguably the most relieving aspect of a season. You have the ensured strength to know that the Super Bowl is your next step.

And with the season nearing its midpoint, some teams may be divisional contenders, but that's just the first step en route to becoming elite.

New England Patriots (at Pittsburgh)

Each season we expect the Patriots to be a Super Bowl contender and 2011 has been no different. The road loss to Buffalo was just that—a road loss to Buffalo. They have another crack at the Bills later on, so that loss was just a bump in the road.

This week New England will travel to Pittsburgh, a team that is also looking to emerge as a contender. Well, unfortunately for the Steelers, Tom Brady has literally dominated them his entire career, and Sunday will be no different.

It's a big game for both teams, but if there's one team that's had Pittsburgh's number since the turn of the century, the Patriots are that team.

Patriots over Steelers

Dallas Cowboys (at Philadelphia)

The Cowboys-Eagles game may be just as big as the Patriots-Steelers contest, if not bigger. The Cowboys come into Philly at 3-3, but have choked away two of their losses (Jets, Lions).

As for Philly, they've significantly underachieved, and although winning on the road over the Redskins was needed, it was not impressive. Dallas has the much better defense, an offense that is gradually getting healthier and a stout ground game.

The Eagles continue to have issues with turnovers and stopping the run, so unless Mike Vick plays like a two-time $100-million man, Dallas will get a big divisional road win.

Cowboys over Eagles

Kansas City Chiefs (vs San Diego)

Believe it or not, but the Kansas City Chiefs are back in the hunt to defend their AFC West title. After a dismal 0-3 start in which the Chiefs only managed 10 points in their first two games, K.C. has gone 3-0 and is within one game of leading the AFC West.

Their opponents this week are the 4-2 San Diego Chargers, a team they beat at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night in 2010.

San Diego may have a winning record, but both losses have come on the road and all four wins are against teams with a combined record of 6-19 (beat K.C. in Week 3).

This game could very well change the course of history for the AFC West this season, and if the Chiefs do win, this will become the most wide-open division in football with K.C. as the clear favorite.

Chiefs over Chargers

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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