By: Kevin Cottrell Jr.

Just A Thought…Action vs Reaction: In sports, teams often practice and game plan for their opponents strengths, weaknesses and tendencies. A well-prepared team often prepares but the team that reacts and adjust the best are more successful overall. The same practice in life is no different. No matter what situation you approach and no matter how prepared you will be things may not always go as planned. So whether its sports or life remember: Life is 5% “What happens” and 95% “How You React”, put it all together and get 100% in your results!

NFL: PICK 6! WEEK 8 Predictions: 11 of 13 games were settled by 10 points or more in Week 7. Needless to say it was a tough week all-around! Especially in Cincinnati for MY Bears. After being demolished 45-10 I can now come from behind my rock. Here’s a look ahead to Week 8…(Bye Week: Bengals, Chiefs, Patriots, Steelers, Buccaneers and Redskins)

1. (6-0) BRONCOS @ (3-3) RAVENS- Fresh off their bye week the Broncos look to take their undefeated record and top 5 defense to Baltimore and continue to prove their doubters that they are for real. As for the Ravens they are mad. No they are closer to being pissed about their .500 record and their inability to close out their opponents (see missed FG @Minnesota). The key factor in this match up will be the play of both teams’ defenses. Baltimore is known for their ability to fly to the ball but they haven’t been making the key tackles when needed. As for the Broncos they’ve rested their hats on their ability to rush the QB lead by DE Elvis Dumervil. The Ravens has a more balanced attack so if Denver has trouble stopping their run game this thing may go down to the wire. As for Denver’s “O”, Kyle Orton has been very efficient thus far only tossing 1 interception (on a hail mary) but if any defense will bring him back down to earth it is the secondary of the Ravens. Baltimore will get Orton rattled and pull out the W. Prediction: Ravens by 6

2. (2-4) DOLPHINS @ (4-3) JETS- It was just a few weeks ago when the Jets were in Miami on Monday Night facing the Dolphins and their wildcat offense. The game was the first in a Jets uni for WR Braylon Edwards and he seemed to have a coming out party, however Miami prevailed 31-27. After a shutout in Oakland the Jets will return home to host the Dolphins and I’m sure Coach Ryan will have a newly schemed defense to harness the Wildcat. Obviously Miami will do all they can to keep the Jets offense on the sideline but after they way they clicked last weekend I expect Sanchez & Co. to carry their momentum from last week into this Sunday (not to mention the revenge factor). Any game involving the Fins is entertaining and this one will be no different! Prediction: Jets by 3

3. (5-2) GIANTS @ (4-2) EAGLES- The Giants started the season 5-0 with the look of the “Best NFC Team” then they ran into the Saints (and Cardinals). Now they must travel down to Philly to face their division foe in the Eagles. The Giants’ passing game has struggled as of late so look for the GeeMen to rest on the shoulders of Brandon Jacobs & Ahmad Bradshaw in an attempt to allow their running game to setup the passing game. On the Eagles side of things, they didn’t look great against the ‘Skins on Monday Night but DeSean Jackson’s explosive plays seemed to do a great job of disguising their struggles. It all starts with their running game. RB Brian Westbrook just never seemed to get things going and halfway into the game he was knocked out of the contest with a concussion. The rookie LeSean McCoy has the ability to fill in for Westbrook but lacks the ability to pick up the blitz for McNabb. This will be a seesaw battle and if Coach Reid could do a better job at using Michael Vick they would have another weapon to keep the Giants defense on their heels. But he won’t. Prediction: Giants by 4

4. (2-4) SEAHAWKS @ (4-2) COWBOYS: With a 2-4 record one may wonder why the Seahawks are even in my “Pick 6” section, well this game will come in the form of a trap game for the Cowboys after their huge win against the Falcons. Dallas has to fight off the “Let Down Factor” after coming off the big win and facing the injury riddled Seahawks. Seattle is coming off their bye and had the chance to prepare for the ‘Boys for and extra week. Many believe Miles Austin may have been the answer to Romo’s prayers but after only 2 weeks of success expect for all NFL defenses to be on alert. The key to Dallas’ success is their three-headed monster at running back. If they can get their ground game going and make Matt Hasselbeck and his offense one dimensional. One thing on the side of Dallas is that when teams enter Jerry’s World for the first time they are so caught off guard by the humongous scoreboard that they often fall behind in the game due to being in awe of the stadium’s design. So Cowboys fans are on upset alert. Prediction: Seahawks by 2

5. (4-2) FALCONS @ (6-0) SAINTS: This will have us all glued to our screens on Monday Night. This is probably one of the biggest rivalries in the South. Both members of the NFC South call domes home and both have aspirations of winning their division but something must give. The past two weeks the Falcons secondary has given up over 600 passing yards and while they split the two games they can not be that generous against the Saints. As for New Orleans they’ve started the past two games slowly before exploding in their 4^th quarters to remain undefeated. The key to this game will be ball control for Atlanta. The have to do their best to keep Brees & Co. on the sideline and make the spectators as opposed to playmakers. If Drew Brees is allowed multiple opportunities to score he will! The Saints defense has played superb thus far and will look to use their energy of their Superdome fans to protect their undefeated record. Prediction: Saints by 10

6. (6-1) VIKINGS @ (4-2) PACKERS: It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, especially Brett Favre! Favre and his Vikings visit Lambeau Field to take on the franchise he resurrected in the 90’s. The last time the two teams met the Packers offense contained Adrian Peterson but the Vikings defense created turnovers that led to Minnesota’s victory. Well throw X’s and O’s out of this preview. Favre will be emotional in his return and he will attempt to win with his arm instead of with the playbook. The Packers have had to listen to all the BF4 talk and will take it all out on Favre and his teammates come Sunday. The Packers will come together to backup their QB and prove to their home crowd that the organization is in good hands with Rodgers. The game will be entertaining but look for the 40-year-old Favre to show up and not the 33-year-old that led the Packers to their Super Bowl victory. Prediction: Packers by 3

NFL: QUICK PICKS (For the Office Pool Players!)

**SURE FIRE PICKS**

BEARS OVER BROWNS

COLTS OVER 49ERS

CHARGERS OVER RAIDERS

**EVEN STEVENS**

TEXANS OVER BILLS

LIONS OVER RAMS

TITANS OVER JAGUARS

CARDINALS OVER PANTHERS

III. SAY WHAT!!! (Tweets of the Week)

@blakegriffin Thanks to everybody for the thoughts and prayers I appreciate it. I'll be back soon..... stronger than ever! Time to get to work!

@Lfitzgerald11 Carmelo Anthony just had a sportscenter dunk!!! I see ya melo!!!

@cappa23 Melo said, "I'm back, I'm backkkk" shittted on em uggggg made me jump out the bed sore and all!!

@KevinDurant35 Good win for us tonight @russwest44 was bummmmmpppppiiin 14, 13 dimes n 7 rebounds

@SportsVentz @RealSkipBayless Skip you can't believe half the things u say bc you wrong more times than not! U said the Yanks wouldn't make the poffs...

@SportsVentz @RealSkipBayless and their in the World Series...you said the Bengals would be 8-8 and they're 5-2 (should be 6-1)..u think Tiger Woods....

@SportsVentz @RealSkipBayless is somehow "Overrated" and he's only the 1 ranked player yet again!! You not only never played sports but you know nothing!

@SportsVentz @RealSkipBayless All you doing is make ESPN money by saying obnoxious things abt great players and teams for "Shock Value"...Child Pleese!