What’s More Likely: Rich Talks Burrow, Jags, Chiefs, Cowboys, Bills, Steelers, Ravens & More

Chris Brockman built the whole segment off preseason Week 3 matchups, which meant every question came disguised as a schedule note.

The opener was a Super Bowl preview. Rams-Chargers or Seahawks-Chiefs?

Rich took Seahawks-Chiefs, and the reasoning was about precedent. Seattle can get back because they have done it before, and they exorcised the ghost last year, and they are really good. Kansas City can put it together and return too. What he needs to see from the Chargers is different in kind: that they do not lose 15 people, and that Justin Herbert strings together a great run for the first time in his career.

Asked who wins that hypothetical, Rich declined, on the grounds that nobody picks a Super Bowl 61 matchup on the final Wednesday of August. Circumstances, as TJ helpfully offered, before being told that is not how this works.

Next: Josh Allen or every Steeler combined for more rushing touchdowns this season.

Rich went to the tape. Allen had 14 rushing touchdowns last year. Pittsburgh had 11 as a team. James Cook added another 14, which is 20 rushing scores from two Buffalo players alone. Joe Brady is going to do it again.

So he took Allen, with one caveat. Rico Dowdle might have something to say about it, because the Steelers have improved. The question is how much.

Then a Beltway question: is Jayden Daniels back to rookie form, or does Derrick Henry go for 1,600 and 15 again?

Rich took Daniels, and was careful about why. He does not believe last season is an indicator of Daniels' career path, full stop. He also had Chase Daniel on the day before, and when asked which quarterback benefits most from a new offensive coordinator anywhere in the league, Daniel named Daniels.

The Henry part came with real reluctance. Rich noted he was the first person to say into a microphone that Henry is a Hall of Famer, four or five years ago, and got pushback for it.

He was reminded, immediately, that he also said not to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and that the Knicks eventually took his advice about six years late.

On fantasy receivers, Nico Collins over Tetairoa McMillan, though Rich gave McMillan his due for a thousand-yard rookie season and admitted he drafted him in best ball expecting improvement. Collins is an absolute physical beast. The only question is a full healthy year, and whether the Buckeye throwing to the Wolverine can get going.

The one he did not hesitate on was the South.

"I'll take the Jaguars, man. I really believe in them right now."

Rich likes what Liam Coen is building and how plugged in he is to his quarterback. Trevor Lawrence took a real leap last season, and this team went into places like Denver and punked people. The clincher was Baker Mayfield's own assessment after the joint practice, saying Tampa got out-physicaled and that if it had been a game, he did not think they would have won it.

"I didn't stutter. Jaguars."

Bijan Robinson got the nod over De'Von Achane for rushing yards, and Rich was emphatic that this is not about Achane's ability. It is about what else exists in Miami. Defenses can key on him, the passing game may struggle, and everyone is going to load up to take him away.

The closer put Rich on the spot: Joe Burrow or Jalen Hurts, more Super Bowl wins by career's end.

He took Hurts, who is already one up, and admitted the tiebreaker is not about the quarterbacks.

"I believe in one organization over the other," Rich said.

He then asked whether either man finishes with his current team, which the room treated as already answered. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Aaron Rodgers. It rarely happens.

And one fan base would run to keep its guy. The other would drive him to the airport.