Liver's 2009 NFL Week 8 Picks

It’s a shame that Tim Donaghy’s book isn’t going to be published, but that shouldn’t stop you from seeking out leaked excerpts on the web.

I guess David Stern should be glad that, for now, the vast public won’t get to read about how NBA refs let personal vendettas against players, coaches and owners affect how they call games and how they deliberately give preference to teams that they perceive that the league wants to see win.

I said it before and I’ll say it again; the NBA refs have ruined, along with the constant tweaking of the rules, what once was the greatest game in America. Hope you’re enjoying yourself Stern because your league and its product are a joke.

Of course it goes without saying that the following picks AGAINST THE SPREAD are for RECREATIONAL USE ONLY . Only Rick Pitino, LeGarrette Blount, Donte’ Stallworth, Braylon Edwards, Bob Griese, Miguel Cabrera, Tila Tequila, Steve Phillips, Travis Henry, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Tony Romo, Richard Heene (a.k.a. Balloon Boy’s father), the Liver’s biological father (a.k.a. The Most Interesting Man in the World) and all Somali Pirates would be drunk enough to question the Esteemed Liver's picks.

Last week’s record: 6-6-1

2009 record against the spread: 62-40-1 (.602)

Sunday, November 1

Cleveland at Chicago (-13 ½)
What the hell was that against Cincinnati? The Bears were dominated in every facet of the game and were never even remotely in it. Jay Cutler is a walking turnover right now and Matt Forte hasn’t had a decent game on the ground yet. That would be too many points to lay on them right now if it WASN’T Cleveland they were playing. Pick: Chicago

Seattle at Dallas (-9 ½)
The Cowboys had their first complete game of the season last week as they showed that they can beat a good team by knocking out the Falcons. The defense was hungry, Romo didn’t turn the ball over, and Miles Austin had his second-straight monster game. This is a game that they should win easily as they go up against an injury riddled Seahawks team that has been awful on the road. No Walter Jones means the newly minted $78 million DeMarcus Ware should run rampant in the Seahawks backfield and knock Matt Hasselbeck around. The Cowboys have shown, unfortunately, that they can be their own worst enemy with careless penalties. If the Cowboys can carry over their momentum, they can make quick work of Seattle. Pick: Dallas

Houston at Buffalo (+3 ½)
Houston has shown some signs of the team that many predicted would be a wild card team. If this is the year for them to make the postseason for the first time in team history, they have to beat a hapless Bills team on offense that will start Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB for the second straight week. The Bills have won two in a row but one of those was against an inept Jets team that gave the game away and the other was against a bad Carolina team that turns the ball over too much. With a win, the Texans would be 5-3 for the first time in team history. Pick: Houston

Denver at Baltimore (-3 ½)
Both teams come off a bye. Denver is the shock of the league right now at 6-0 and should be ready for a tough road test against a Ravens team that has lost three straight and is reeling. Amazingly the problem for the Ravens lately has been its defense not the offense. With Pittsburgh and Cincinnati battling it out for the AFC North title, the Ravens can’t afford a fourth straight loss or their wild card hopes could be in jeopardy. For some reason, I see the Broncos getting their first loss of the season here. Pick: Baltimore

Miami at N.Y. Jets (-3 ½)
The Jets had an easy win over Oakland last weekend to end its three-game skid and look to redeem themselves against Miami for their prior Monday night loss. The Dolphins could still have the loss against the Saints on their mind after they seemed to have the game in hand last Sunday. The wildcat gave the Jets fits earlier this year so this should be a test of whether Rex Ryan can adjust to their multiple formations. All he needs to do is look at how Gregg Williams attacked it in the second half of the Saints/Dolphins team. Not having Kris Jenkins will hurt the Jets though. Look for the Dolphins to try and blitz Mark Sanchez into fumbling the hot dog, I mean football. Pick: Miami

San Francisco at Indianapolis (-12)
Alex Smith showed something in the second half of the

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?