NFL Week 8 Picks: Minnesota Vikings and More Underdogs That Will Stun Opponents

Here's a look at three underdogs (according to Bodog) that have a good chance of pulling the upset during Week 8 action. 

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are 1-6, but they've lost by seven, four, three, five, 29 and six. Besides that blowout at the hands of the Chicago Bears, Minnesota has been in every game. 

In fact, they've led in the second half during a bunch of them. If they can learn to close out games, they could actually start putting a few in the win column.

An important factor in the ability to close out games is, of course, a team's rushing attack.

Well, luckily for the Vikings, the Panthers are fairly inept at stopping the run, and Adrian Peterson is fairly good at running. They should be able to control the line of scrimmage and keep Cam Newton off the field long enough to win this one on the road.

Also, you know, Christian Ponder isn't Donovan McNabb

Kansas City Chiefs

A few weeks ago the Chiefs looked like quite possibly the worst team in the history of the NFL. 

Todd Haley deserves a ton of credit, however, as he has found a way to turn around this team after all the crippling injuries. 

Kansas City is now rolling after three straight victories, including a 28-0 shutout at Oakland. Sure, the Raiders lost Darren McFadden early in that game and had to put out Kyle Boller and Carson Palmer at pretend-quarterback, but it was an impressive win nonetheless. 

The Chiefs gave San Diego a run for their money back in Week 3, losing by just three at Qualcomm. 

Now Kansas City is playing much better, Philip Rivers is playing much worse and the Chiefs are home. I like them in this Monday night matchup. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

I get that he's Tom Brady and he's dreamy and amazing and he owns the Steelers and everything, but Pittsburgh is a three-point underdog at home?

Do we really think Ben Roethlisberger will have that much trouble throwing against the 31st-ranked pass defense of the Patriots? I sure don't. 

Also, on the other side of the ball, the Steelers have the No. 1 ranked defense. Sure, they've played some horrendous pass offenses, but this is the Steelers we are talking. Surely they'll be able to slow down Brady a little bit. 

At least enough to win a shootout. 

I think both teams will come out firing, the game will turn into a high-scoring battle and Pittsburgh has the defensive playmakers to make a necessary-late stop.