By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr.

Just a Thought...

FAN NIGHT...Last Tuesday NBA-TV launched an interactive night where you the FAN can determine what game they will air the following Tuesday! How cool is that? How often have you rushed home on a Monday Night to come home to a bad Bengals team facing off with the offensively challenged Ravens? All that will change in the NBA because all you have to do is cast your vote on NBA.com and you the FAN will have an opportunity to dictate what game the nation sees. Well if you think this sounds cool this coming Tuesday will blow you away! That's right this coming Tuesday is FAN NIGHT of a different sort...you the citizen or fan will have the opportunity to go to your local polls and dictate which team you'd rather see take this country to the promise land. You've heard their forums, you've seen their strengths, they've both trained for this day for the past 21 months but it all comes down to you the fan. Keep in mind that no two teams could ever win on the same night. So be sure to view the scouting reports and come this Tuesday make this political FAN NIGHT one to remember. Ahhh who am I kidding you know who my vote is for...BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!

I. NFL Week 9 Predictions (Last week 10-4) Last week was more like 10 wins but the only problem is that may only get me a wild card spot in the AFC. So far another attempt at a Patriots like week take a look at my Week 10 picks!

1. Packers (4-3) @ Titans (7-0) (1 pm, FOX)- This match-up is an official "trap game". The Titans are coming off the emotional high defeating their division nemesis in the Colts. At the end of that game Titans players were so excited they walked around holding up 7 fingers as if they were 16-0! That was then, the Packers are now! Look for Aaron Rodgers and the three step offense to attack the blitz happy Titans. This game will definitely be close but the Titans have yet to face a truly effective offense. As for Green Bay they watched the Titans claw out the win against the Colts like the rest of the nation so when they travel to Nashville this Sunday they won't be there to visit the Country Hall of Fame.Prediction: PACKERS by 4
2. Jets (4-3) @ Bills (5-2) (1 pm, CBS)- This is a huge game and not because Brett Favre is one of the starting QBs. In fact, the winner of this game will have an opportunity to keep pace or even tie the division leading Patriots. But first thing first, the Bills are a team that cliques at every facet of the game. Their special teams sets up there offense with great field position. Their defense flies to the ball and their offense knows how to punch it in on the ground or through the air. As for the Jets, they've yet to play their best football, yet they're one game out of first place. The thing is Favre is liable to erupt at anytime and with a big game on the line he's prime to erupt. But pay close attention to the injury report the Favre man reportedly has a "sore arm" so the Bills will look to attack that lethal weapon. The Bills were picked apart by the Dolphins so look for them to take it out on the Jets this Sunday. Prediction: BILLS by 7
3. Patriots (5-2) @ Colts (3-4) (8:15 pm, NBC)- This game is huge but not on the same level as their undefeated match-ups in the past. The Colts are trying to salvage their season and the Patriots are trying to distance themselves in the AFC East. The Pats are regaining their swagger even with the absence of Tom Brady. Matt Cassell is beginning to prove that he can play in the NFL posting a 5-2 record in his first 7 games (Brady was 4-3). As for the Colts Peyton Manning may have the services of Addai returning but his effectiveness is still in question. The Colts will be sharpening their "no huddle" skills to wear down a banged up Patriots offense. This game will be played in prime time on Sunday Night so expect the stars to come out. Both teams have not played their best so as in the past the two will clash for 60 minutes. In a game this tight you've got to give the nod to the home team. Prediction: COLTS by 3
4. Steelers (5-2) @ Redskins (6-2) (8:30 pm, MNF ESPN) Is it me or have the Redskins overachieved? Whether you feel so or not the 'Skins have defeated the teams on their schedule and they are in position to prove that they belong among the NFL elite. The Steelers will travel to Landover on Monday Night for another shot at an NFC East team. Last week they struggled with the Giants because of New York's ability to pressure the quarterback. If the 'Skins defense can not get to Big Ben then they're in for a long night. Offensively for the 'Skins their best bet to win is by establishing the run. With the Steelers having Polamalu to roam around the line of scrimmage, the 'Skins will eventually have to depend on Jason Campbell to drop back and beat Pittsburgh with his arm. Keep in mind that this is a Monday Night game and crazy things are destined to happen. Pediction: STEELERS by 10                              

***Game of the Week***

5. Cowboys (5-3) @ Giants (6-1) (4:15 pm, FOX-) The struggling Cowboys will travel to the Meadowlands in an attempt to keep their heads above NFC East water heading into their bye week. The Giants on the other hand leads the league in sacks and will look to attack the statuesque Brad Johnson as he stands aimlessly in the pocket. This game will be played close because the Cowboys defense will keep things close by stopping their tough and elusive run game early on. But if the Cowboys can't get T.O. and Roy going early on in the game the 'Boys may be staring at 4 losses going into their bye week (they only had 3 all of last year). There is a lot at stake in this game but without the services of Tony Romo I can't see a scenario where the 'Boys come out victorious. Prediction: GIANTS by 4

    

   ***Quick Picks***

   Bears over Lions

   Jaguars over Bengals

   Buccaneers over Chiefs

   Eagles over Seahawks

   Browns over Ravens

   Falcons over Raiders

   Broncos over Dolphins

   Vikings over Texans

   Cardinals over Rams

    

   Bye week: Saints, Chargers, 49ers, Panthers