Trust Me, I Know My Sh*t: Joe Budden's NFL Picks, Week 2
Sporting a 3-1 record after the first week, Joe gets his first chance to pick his beloved Giants.
Image via Complex Original
Intro
After a 3-1 start to the season (Joe had Dallas winning, but the Jets failed to cover the spread), the most knowledgeable sports guy in rap returns with his predictions for four key Week 2 games. A grieving Brian Urlacher and the Bears visit New Orleans, the Chargers head east for a late game against their nemesis, New England, Michael Vick returns to Atlanta with Philadelphia for his first game against the Falcons since his suspension and imprisonment, and Sam Bradford and the battered Rams take on Joe's very own Giants on Monday night.
Last week: 3-1
Season: 3-1
Chicago
Chicago @ New Orleans (-7), 1 Sunday, Fox
"New Orleans doesn't make that. I think people forget how close Chicago came to winning that conference last year. If Urlacher is playing I don't have faith in New Orleans covering that spread. They may win, but they won't cover. I don't see Cutler having a problem on the road. The Bears went to the Super Bowl not too long ago, they're a veteran club. I don't see them getting rattled on the road."
Prediction: Take the Bears and the points
New England
San Diego @ New England (-7), 4:15 Sunday, CBS
"I got New England covering that. I wouldn't be shocked at a push. I expect a fire fight, a high-scoring shootout. I'm not big on either team's defense. Kind of hard to bet against Tom Brady right now, so I'll go with them making that. New England's had San Diego's number for a few years now. They've won the last however many games against them. Philip Rivers played well against them last year. Losing effort, but he played well."
Prediction: Take New England to cover
Philadelphia
Philadelphia @ Atlanta (+2.5), 8:20 Sunday, NBC
"Unfortunately the Eagles are going to win that game. I don't see Vick being rattled by the Atlanta crowd, I actually think they'll cheer him on in the intro. Philly has too much firepower and Atlanta still has to show me they can do what they did last year. They'll put Nnamdi on Roddy White. I just think that's a bad match-up for Atlanta. Philadelphia will cover that."
Prediction: Take Philadelphia to cover
Giants
St. Louis @ N.Y. Giants (-6), 8:30 Monday, ESPN
"If it's a healthy squad I really like St. Louis, but since they're injury depleted I'll go with the Giants. I would really love to see this game if the Rams had all their players.
"I'm not so confident in the Giants this year. I didn't like how that last game went at all. Defense was horrible; Eli looked really bad. I'm not so excited about the potential this team has. Don't get me wrong, I'm always going to cheer and root for the Giants no matter what. I'm not one of those fans that don't stick around when times are tough. I'm not mad at them. They won the greateset Super Bowl ever played a couple years ago."
Prediction: Giants to cover