The 2024 NFL season is approaching the midseason point with plenty of surprises already in the bag – and many more sure to materialize.

Week 8 could be ripe for some unexpected results, as several home teams are facing long odds to secure a win. The underdogs are surely hoping that the Los Angeles Rams might set the tone for the week with their upset victory Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings. And as the trade deadline also draws near – and with several teams forging along with suboptimal backup quarterback plans – the results from this weekend could prompt some difficult discussions.

Here are the bold predictions from USA TODAY Sports’ NFL staff for Week 8:

Broncos pitch NFL season’s first shutout against Panthers

Things have really gone sideways for both of these franchises since their Super Bowl 50 showdown. But an already trying campaign for the Panthers might hit a nadir if this prediction comes to fruition. The matchup itself is plenty imposing, as the Broncos give up league lows of 4.4 yards per play and 5.9 passing yards per attempt. That doesn’t bode well for a Panthers attack that is far from a model of efficiency as it subs in benched former No. 1 pick Bryce Young for Andy Dalton, who was injured in a car accident this week.

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With Carolina generating just seven points last week against a suspect Washington Commanders defense, it’s clear that Young will need major contributions from wide receiver Diontae Johnson – who on Sunday bemoaned that he ‘can’t play every position on the field and make every play’ – and running back Chuba Hubbard. Maybe an explosive play here or there can help avoid a shutout or other embarrassment. But with Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II trending toward a return and a defense that ranks second in sacks (28) poised to tee off against Young, Carolina could face the kind of smackdown that will stir all sorts of questions about what changes need to be in store for this organization.

— Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

The Commanders will impact the presidential election with an upset victory

The last home game for the D.C. football team before a presidential election used to be a surefire omen for what was about to go down in the Oval Office. From 1936 until 2012, the incumbent party candidate won the popular vote (and usually the White House) in each case when Washington won the final home game before the election – and the incumbent party lost the popular vote (and usually the White House) if Washington lost that pivotal home game. In two of the past three elections, though, the pattern didn’t hold up. Yet it’s also true that the ‘rule’ held up in 2020 after the franchise, under pressure from corporate sponsors, dropped its previous name because it disparaged Native Americans. So, with the clean slate, perhaps the Commanders will prove to continue the restoration of the ‘rule’… if a victory against the Bears on Sunday coincides with a Kamala Harris win on Nov. 4. Got all that? Hey, winning on Sunday for Washington might also have to come without star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, nursing a rib injury. And a Washington win would spoil the homecoming for Chicago rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. So, it might be a serious upset. Then again, maybe there’s a higher purpose.

— Jarrett Bell

Jalen Hurts throws three interceptions

Hurts has thrown three picks twice in his career – the most recent being last season against the New York Jets in a game in which his season-long knee injury flared up the most. And Hurts has actually turned in three consecutive interception-less games after throwing four over the first trio of contests. But turnovers tend to come in bunches for an Eagles offense that can press when it finds its back against the wall. 

In 2024, Cincinnati’s defense has come up with six interceptions, and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is still one of the best schemers on that side of the ball in the NFL. Cam Taylor-Britt, for his overall substandard play and voluminous trash talk, can still go up and get a pass. If the Bengals have aspirations of making a run this season, the defense will have to play much more inspired during the second half of the year. A turnover-filled performance against an Eagles offense that struggles to move the ball at times, especially in the first quarter, would be an auspicious start. 

— Chris Bumbaca

Patrick Mahomes reminds NFL world he’s still QB1 with season-high four TD passes

Patrick Mahomes is coming into Week 8 having thrown just six touchdowns and a surprising eight interceptions. Mahomes has heard all the noise that he’s having a down year by his standards. The three-time Super Bowl champion will respond by throwing four touchdown passes versus a downtrodden Las Vegas Raiders team. It’ll mark the first time he’s tossed four touchdowns in a single game since Week 7 of last season.

Mahomes’ stellar outing will lead Kansas City to a blowout win and improve the final remaining undefeated team to 7-0. A win will make the Chiefs the seventh reigning Super Bowl champion to win each of their first seven games. It will also give Mahomes 81 career regular-season wins, the third most ever by a quarterback in their first eight seasons.

— Tyler Dragon