The upsets continued last week as the Chicago Bears thumped the Carolina Panthers in a dominant showing.
There's a couple obvious selections on the board this week, with four games holding spreads of nine points or larger. Two of those contests are the picks for survivor pools in Week 8.
Here they are:
Team to pick if still alive
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings head to London on a three-game winning streak, and with the Browns next up on the schedule, there's a strong chance that becomes four. The three games in England this season have been decided by an average of 30 points, and the discrepancy between these two teams would point to the trend continuing. Quarterback Case Keenum underwhelmed last week but running back Latavius Murray picked up the slack with a big day.
Cleveland's defense should bother the Vikings' offense for a portion of this contest but it's tough to see the Browns' offense having any success against Minnesota's defense.
Record: 10-3
Teams picked so far: Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans
Team to pick if starting over
New Orleans Saints
The Bears head to New Orleans on a two-game winning streak, but it's largely been done with smoke and mirrors. Mitchell Trubisky has only completed 12 passes combined in those two wins, with the defense and special teams chipping in with timely scoring plays. That won't get the job done against a potent Saints offense, and the rookie quarterback will have to make a number of plays to keep his team in the game. That doesn't seem likely given his recent form, and the Saints should roll in this one.
