What’s More Likely: Rich Talks Giants, Broncos, 49ers, Bengals, Ravens, World Series & More

Chris showed up for Friday's What's More Likely with a stack of questions, a little math, and at least one trap. Rich walked into most of them with his eyes open.

Caleb or Drake?

Coming off a Thursday night showcase, Chris opened with the class of 2024: which quarterback reaches more Super Bowls over the next five seasons, Caleb Williams or Drake Maye?

Rich pointed out that Maye has already won one, but Chris wiped the slate clean and started the count now. Rich went Caleb. "They've got a better roster. It's just that simple, Chris," he said, citing a better running game and a defense that, while not yet at New England's level, is "getting rounded into shape."

He added a practical reason. "Out of both quarterbacks that could potentially be watching this and monitoring it, it's Caleb." The room said hello. "What's up, Caleb?"

Wemby, Paris and a pen

Next came the math. With Sunday's game in Paris, Chris asked who would put up the bigger number: Victor Wembanyama's made shots over two games Friday and Saturday, or combined catches for Chris Olave and DK Metcalf on Sunday. Before that, he asked who the most famous Frenchman is right now. TJ's answer: Jerry Lewis.

Rich asked for a pen, grabbed his "environmental pen," and took Wemby. Olave and DK would need something like 14 or 15 catches together, and while DK had about nine last week, Rich liked the shots.

A follow-up pitted Wembanyama's blocked shots in his next game against how many players Saquon Barkley got right in the "Who He Played For" bit after Thursday's game. Barkley got two, Rich was told, and only on a second pass at the first five he had missed, with the answers already revealed. Wemby blocks it was. The room called that bit "one of the funnier segments that show's ever put together."

Chase, Zay and the Ravens' quarterback question

For Bengals and Ravens, Chris asked which AFC North receiver posts more yards. "Ja'Marr Chase torches the Ravens," Rich said, and Marlon Humphrey in particular. He asked who was quarterbacking Baltimore, and heard that Lamar was seen at practice but still limping. "I've lost track in the number of times Lamar's gotten hurt and he's oh, he'll be back right away, and then he's not," Rich said.

He took Chase, even though he needs Zay Flowers in the fantasy leagues he has him in.

Vikings or Titans

Which team keeps a winning streak alive, the Titans or the Vikings? Rich had no patience for this one. Minnesota is home against a Colts team that just fired its general manager, and Tennessee was facing the 4-2 Browns, with Rich noting the Titans were playing "a guy who's joining us in 13 minutes."

"It's the Vikings," Rich said. "They're one of the best coming off a bye," taking on a quarterback in Daniel Jones who, as the room corrected him, hasn't taken care of the football. "Language matters."

McCarthy, Nix and Isaiah Likely

Chris asked which 2024 quarterback has more yards and touchdowns this week, J.J. McCarthy against Houston or Bo Nix. Rich took McCarthy, noting that Matthew Stafford struggled against Arizona's defense the week before, which matters given who Nix is facing.

The room also gave a shout to the McCarthy target whose last name matches the segment. "Isaiah. What's more likely?" Isaiah Likely, who caught a touchdown from McCarthy last week, was hailed as one of the best free agent signings of the year.

McCaffrey, Bijan, and one of Rich's sons

Christian McCaffrey or Bijan Robinson in the Offensive Player of the Year conversation? Rich went McCaffrey, pointing to the 49ers defense and to Raheem Morris wanting this game badly in Atlanta. His forecast: Morris has this one circled, and Michael Penix Jr. "is going to have an afternoon."

Then Chris put him on the spot, "talking about one of your sons." Which NFC South quarterback wins more playoff games in the next three years, Baker Mayfield or Bryce Young? Rich went Bryce Young. "How dare you make me choose the rational choice over my irrational opinion," he said. Told that was growth, Rich agreed. "It's me showing that I'm a professional."

Undefeated or winless

Will there be more undefeated or winless teams on Monday? The Chargers are on a bye, so at least one winless team is guaranteed. The Dolphins play the Jets. Meanwhile the Vikings host the Colts, the Chiefs go to Seattle and the Niners travel to Atlanta. Rich talked himself into more undefeated teams. "I first had to smoke it out," he told Chris. "The it being you."

Packers-Lions or Cade and Maxey

Chris pulled TJ in for this one: Packers and Lions combined points, or Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Maxey combined in Pistons-Sixers? Rich noted Maxey has been "out of his skull." The room leaned toward the two guards, estimating 49 or 50 combined, against a posted Packers-Lions number of 53.

Darnold or Walker

The meatiest question: which goes down as the worse decision, the Vikings letting Sam Darnold walk or the Seahawks letting Kenneth Walker leave? With Chiefs-Seahawks on Sunday night, the room split. One voice said "K9." Another said it's for sure Darnold. "The other guy won the Super Bowl," someone pointed out.

Rich extrapolated it out to the nth degree. With McCarthy gone to the Giants, if Kyler struggles, Minnesota had both and now has neither. But Minnesota also had Daniel Jones, so if Kyler beats Jones, that's better for the Vikings. And if Walker torches Seattle and Darnold struggles, it makes Darnold's run look like a one-off. "Hell of a one-off with a trophy," came the reply. Rich asked if he was right to take it that far "even though I have no basis to do any of what I just said."

Rams or Raiders

Which team is more likely to be back in Rich's power rankings next week? Rich went Raiders. Even with a win, he doesn't see a banged-up 3-4 Rams team popping back into his top 10, but a Raiders win to go 4-3 that looks impressive might. "The autumn wind is still a pirate," he said.

National Tight Ends Day

The last one: more games in the World Series, which starts Friday night, or tight ends who score touchdowns on Sunday, National Tight Ends Day? Rich had to address the holiday first. "It's a made-up holiday," he said, before the room spiraled into whether all holidays are made up. Rich defended Hanukkah ("Does anyone understand about the miracle of the oil?") and Valentine's Day ("Love is real. What's the matter with you?").

Then he got serious. "If your tight end does not score on National Tight Ends Day, for your fantasy team, just fold." Loveland had already scored on Thursday. His pick: tight end touchdowns, more than seven. "Absolutely. No doubt."