NFL Week 8 Picks: Detroit Lions and More Teams on Upset Alert

We are reaching the midway point in the 2011 NFL season, and it's now or never for teams to get things on track if they want to make a run at the playoffs.

At this point, it's still very unclear how things will turn out. There are top-tier teams stumbling and slow starters that are now on the rise.

That could make for some interesting outcomes this weekend.

Here are three teams on upset alert this weekend.

Detroit Lions (-3)

After a 5-0 start, the Lions were quickly becoming one of the most-hyped teams in the league. The last two weeks, they haven't looked like a team that should be undefeated. In fact, now they're not. The Lions have dropped to 5-2 after blowing their last two games.

There has been multiple reasons for the sudden struggles. The team has injuries at running back. Matthew Stafford has been inconsistent. The run defense is getting abused.

The Lions are still playing with attitude and looking to get back on track. This weekend, they play Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos are a terrible team. Tim Tebow looks like an awful quarterback. Despite this, they pulled off a miracle win last week.

I've never been a believer in Tebow, but for the first time, I find myself wondering if he can lead the Broncos to an upset victory.

New England Patriots (-3)

The New England Patriots are one of the heavy favorites in the AFC this season. They are off to their typical dominant start with Tom Brady throwing the ball. There has been one glaring weakness, and that has been the team's pass defense.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been off and on this year. When they are on, they are outstanding.

Ben Roethlisberger is quietly having one of the best seasons of his career.

Tom Brady may carve up the Steelers defense, but Roethlisberger is going to do the same to the Patriots defense.

This one is going to be a shootout.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3)

The Philadelphia Eagles have had their dream season turn quickly into a nightmare, with one of the worst starts ever under head coach Andy Reid.

The Dallas Cowboys have also gotten off to a slow start, sitting at a 3-3 record.

There is one big difference: The Cowboys have lost their three games to teams with a combined record of 14-5. They lost those games by a total of just 11 points.

This Cowboys team is very talented. Rob Ryan and the defense plans to give Michael Vick and the Eagles offense fits on Monday Night Football.

The Eagles have lost their games this season due to stupid mistakes. This week the Cowboys will force those mistakes.