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    Will the Broncos post their first shutout of the season?
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    Will the Broncos post their first shutout of the season?

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    The 2024 NFL season is approaching the midway point and already has plenty of surprises in store – and many more are sure to come.

    Week 8 could be ripe for some unexpected results as several home teams have great chances to win. The underdogs are certainly hoping the Los Angeles Rams set the tone for the week with their upset win on Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings. And with the trade deadline also approaching — and several teams with suboptimal backup quarterback plans — this weekend's results could lead to some difficult discussions.

    Here are the USA TODAY Sports NFL staff's bold predictions for Week 8:

    The Broncos posted their first shutout of the NFL season against the Panthers

    Since the Super Bowl 50 showdown, things have really gone wrong for both franchises. But if that prediction comes true, the Panthers' already difficult season could be reaching its nadir. The matchup itself is quite impressive, as the Broncos are giving up league-lows of 4.4 yards per play and 5.9 passing yards per attempt. That doesn't bode well for a Panthers offense that's been anything but a model for efficiency, as it brings in former No. 1 pick Bryce Young for Andy Dalton, who was injured in a car accident this week.

    With Carolina scoring just seven points against a suspect Washington Commanders defense last week, it's clear that Young will need big contributions from wide receiver Diontae Johnson — who lamented Sunday that he “can't play every position on the field and every play.” can do”. – 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 leaning toward returning and a defense that ranks second in sacks (28) poised to play against Young, Carolina could be looking at a loss that has all sorts of questions about it raises what changes are necessary and what lies ahead for this organization.

    —Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

    The commanders will influence the presidential election with a surprise victory

    The D.C. football team's final home game before a presidential election was a surefire omen of what was to come in the Oval Office. From 1936 to 2012, the incumbent party candidate won the popular vote (and usually the White House) whenever Washington won the final home game before the election – and the incumbent party lost the popular vote (and usually the White House) whenever Washington lost that crucial home game . However, the pattern did not hold in two of the last three elections. But it's also true that the “rule” stood in 2020 after the franchise dropped its previous name under pressure from corporate sponsors because it derogated Native Americans. So with the slate clean, perhaps the Commanders will prove they're continuing to restore the “rule”… if a win against the Bears on Sunday coincides with a win by Kamala Harris on Nov. 4. Understood? Hey, Washington's win on Sunday may also have to be without star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is nursing a rib injury. And a Washington win would spoil the homecoming of Chicago rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. So it could be a serious surprise. Then again, perhaps there is a higher purpose.

    –Jarrett Bell

    Jalen Hurts throws three interceptions

    Hurts has thrown three picks twice in his career – most recently 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 gone three straight games without interceptions after throwing four times in the first three contests. But turnovers tend to come in droves for an Eagles offense that can apply pressure when its back is against the wall.

    In 2024, Cincinnati's defense has 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 can still go up and get a pass due to his overall subpar play and extensive trash talking. If the Bengals have any ambition to be successful this season, the defense will need to play with much more motivation in the second half of the year. A turnover-filled performance against an Eagles offense that has struggled to move the ball at times, particularly in the first quarter, would be a promising start.

    —Chris Bumbaca

    Patrick Mahomes reminds the NFL world that he is still QB1 with a season-high four TD passes

    Patrick Mahomes enters Week 8 with just six touchdowns and a surprising eight interceptions. Mahomes has heard all the noise that he's having a bad year by his standards. The three-time Super Bowl champion will respond by throwing four touchdown passes against a struggling Las Vegas Raiders team. It's the first time he's scored four touchdowns in a single game since Week 7 of last season.

    Mahomes' outstanding performance will lead Kansas City to a stunning victory and improve the remaining undefeated team to 7-0. With a win, the Chiefs would become the seventh reigning Super Bowl champions, winning each of their first seven games. It also gives Mahomes 81 career regular-season wins, the third-most wins ever by a quarterback in his first eight seasons.

    —Tyler Dragon

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