By Stephen Juza
October 28th, 2026
As the NFL season approaches Week 8, two of the three undefeated teams lost in Week 7 (Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers), while one previously winless team found their first win of the season (Miami Dolphins). The Chargers, coming off a bye week, hope the extra rest and planning will come at a moment they can catch their first win this week.
For NFL head coaches under pressure, finding a moment of stress relief during a bye week is critical. When taking a break from studying game film, many football fans and sports enthusiasts turn to recreation like online poker to unwind and test their strategic skills. Just as a quarterback must read the defense and play the odds on every snap, card players rely on sharp focus, calculated risk management, and precise timing to outplay their opponents.
Games of the Week:
There are two compelling divisional rivalries that you will want to tune in for as they vie for first place. Leading off Sunday’s early slate of games, check out the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) hosting the Cleveland Browns (5-2) as they face off for the AFC North lead. Fans of both teams are likely surprised by the early season performance of both teams, and the winner of this game will effectively take a two game lead over the division.
Then, Sunday’s exciting midday game will be the Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) travelling to face the Denver Broncos (5-2). The Chiefs have struggled with the kicking game so far this season, but recently signed former Raven kicker Justin Tucker to the practice squad to help shore up the special teams. The winner of this game will take the pole position for the AFC West.
Undefeated Teams:
The sole undefeated team remaining in the league is the Minnesota Vikings (6-0). Those that have watched the Vikings play this season know the incredible work that defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ defense have been doing all season long. They are tied for the league lead in sacks. Tied for third in interceptions. First in points allowed per game (12.3). In fact, they have not given up a point in the last five minutes of any game, all season long.
While the offense has been uninspiring, the defense has shut out any opportunity for the opposing team to offer much of a threat. This week offers another major opportunity to show the league just how stout the defense is when they take on the Detroit Lions and their high-power offense, currently ranked second in the league in total points.
Winless Teams:
Unfortunately for the Los Angeles Chargers (0-6), they remain the last winless team in the league. Entering the season, they knew they were going to have a tough start to the schedule, with a stretch of games from Week 3 to Week 8 against Super Bowl contenders. However, I don’t think anyone expected them to go 0-6 to start, especially after finishing 11-6 the first two years under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Injuries are certainly a factor, with many injuries on the offensive line limiting the time for Justin Herbert to dissect the defense. But while every team struggles with injuries in the NFL as the season progresses, they have struggled to inspire much hope for a turnaround. After their last loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, our internal model had Harbaugh as more likely than not to be fired at the end of the season. It would be a very shocking turn of events for a team that has finished in the playoffs the last two seasons.