The NFL trade deadline is approaching and there are some teams on the cusp of pulling the trigger.
As the season is too young to distinguish which teams have a legitimate championship shot, there is some hesitancy to risk the future to acquire a player midseason.
However, for these five organizations, a big win in Week 8 may give their respective front offices the necessary push to make a splash.
Los Angeles Chargers
Current Record: 3-4 | Week 8 Opponent: New England Patriots
After an 0-4 start, the Chargers' first season in Los Angeles looked over before it really got started, but following three straight wins, they can make a big statement on Sunday.
A win over New England wouldn't just bring the Chargers to a .500 record and possibly put them second in the division, it would mean Los Angeles is a real threat for the postseason. With Philip Rivers' time to make a Super Bowl run ticking away, the Chargers could use some reinforcements.
Upgrades at defensive back and offensive line should be at the top of their wish list as both units have suffered major injuries.
Ideal trade target: Colts CB Vontae Davis
New Orleans Saints
Current Record: 4-2 | Week 8 Opponent: Chicago Bears
Similar to the Chargers, the Saints had to overcome an early-season losing streak. With four straight wins and a favorable schedule upcoming, the Saints could be poised to make one more solid run with Drew Brees at the helm.
The Saints are certainly expected to beat Chicago. Despite winning their last two contests, the Bears have completed only 12 passes in that span - a trend that won't continue against Brees and an opportunistic defense.
Surprisingly, the Saints secondary has held up well this season and will get tougher to beat when Delvin Breaux comes back. Looking at the front four, a solid pass rusher is still a position of need and, on the other side of the ball, New Orleans is always in the market for more explosive offensive pieces.
Ideal trade target: Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald
Houston Texans
Current Record: 3-3 | Week 8 Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
The Texans have been on a roll, scoring at least 33 points in every game since Deshaun Watson's second career start. A win over the Seahawks and their talented defense on Sunday would give them the confidence to matchup with any team - especially in a wide-open AFC South - though the defense still needs a hand.
With J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus done for the year and Brian Cushing serving a ten-game suspension, Houston's front seven is running low on playmakers.
Ideal trade target: 49ers LB Aaron Lynch
Detroit Lions
Current Record: 3-3 | Week 8 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Lions looked like a competitor out of the gate, though a pair of losses to NFC South teams has slowed their momentum as injuries have piled up.
Without Aaron Rodgers available for the Packers, the NFC North looks to be a race between the Lions and the Vikings, but Detroit needs to top the Steelers on Sunday night to keep up.
Matthew Stafford could use another target or two to keep the chains moving. It just so happens that one of his former receivers is looking for a new team.
Ideal trade target: Bills WR Anquan Boldin
Kansas City Chiefs
Current Record: 5-2 | Week 8 Opponent: Denver Broncos
The Chiefs should already be looking to make moves for a run at the Lombardi Trophy, though they aren't a team that makes decisions without looking at all the information available.
If they can move to 6-2 with another division win, they should feel fairly confident that mortgaging the future for the sake of short-term success may be worth it.
The Chiefs could address their thin receiver corps with a piece like Fitzgerald, Boldin, or Martavis Bryant, but their weaknesses in the secondary have become more apparent recently and should be higher on the priority list.
Ideal trade target: Giants CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
