A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray

Are the New York Giants and New York Jets actually BACK — or is this all FOOLS GOLD?

Maggie Gray welcomes her former executive producer EJ Stewart to A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray to break down the biggest stories in New York sports and across the NFL.

For the first time since 2009, both the Giants and Jets opened the NFL season with wins. But can either team actually be GOOD?

The Giants may have something different this time. Jaxson Dart looked confident in his first NFL start, throwing three touchdown passes and adding 54 rushing yards in the Giants' Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely and Cam Skattebo helped give the Giants offense an identity. Is Dart already becoming the leader this franchise has been searching for? Or is this simply another case of getting excited too early about the Giants?

Maggie and EJ also break down the New York Jets and debate whether Aaron Glenn's team can sustain its hot start.

Then it's time for Jalen Brunson.

The Knicks superstar continues to dominate the New York sports conversation, getting shoutouts from tennis star Ben Shelton and singer Harry Styles within 48 hours — and he's also preparing to host Saturday Night Live. Is Jalen Brunson the No. 1 athlete in America right now? Is he the biggest athlete in New York? And what happens if Aaron Judge wins a World Series with the Yankees?

The Pete Alonso conversation gets emotional — and complicated.

Alonso returned to Citi Field with the Baltimore Orioles and received huge ovations from Mets fans throughout the night. But are Mets fans giving Pete Alonso TOO MUCH LOVE after he left New York? Should fans be celebrating his return, or is the reaction another reminder that the Mets made the wrong decision letting their longtime slugger leave?

Maggie and EJ also break down Patrick Mahomes' return against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes looked rusty in his first game back, completing 15 of 27 passes for 184 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. But Bo Nix looked even worse as Denver was crushed 31-10. What should we actually take away from the Chiefs and Broncos after Week 1?

Plus:

• Jim Harbaugh gets STOCK DOWN after the Chargers' ugly loss to the Arizona Cardinals
• Jaxson Dart gives the Giants a new offensive identity
• Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely and Cam Skattebo emerge for New York
• Are the Giants and Jets for real?
• Is Jalen Brunson the biggest athlete in New York?
• What happens if Aaron Judge wins a World Series?
• Pete Alonso returns to Citi Field with the Orioles
• Are Mets fans giving Pete Alonso too much love?
• Patrick Mahomes returns — and looks rusty
• Bo Nix struggles badly against Kansas City
• Is Cam Ward being wasted in Tennessee?
• Arch Manning and the controversial AI-generated Steve Sarkisian/Holly Rowe video
• What Arch Manning's reaction says about the young Texas quarterback

This is A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray — a podcast for sports fans covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, college football, New York sports and the biggest stories in sports.

Time codes

2:09 New York Giants and New York Jets offenses look good! Can they maintain it? 

7:50 Jaxson Dart looks like the present and future QB for the Giants

11:40 Drew Mestemaker from Oklahoma State is going to be a household name

14:19 DRAFTKINGS SPORTS APP

17:04 Is Jalen Brunson the number one athlete right now? 

23:17 Are Mets fans going over the top cheering for Pete Alonso and booing their own pitcher Jonah Tong for walking Alonso? 

29:37 Stock down on Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. Will he and Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert get the offense clicking? 

33:06 Patrick Mahomes looked rusty in his return but it was covered up because Bo Nix and the Broncos were terrible

35:27 Arch Manning the QB for the Texas Longhorns laughed at an insensitive AI generated video of his coach Steve Sarkesian slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe. 

41:46 Who is at fault for Cam Ward looking bad - Cam or his coaches? 

44:57 DRAFTKINGS Matchup Breakdown

Subscribe for more Giants, Jets, Knicks, Yankees, Mets, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Brunson, Pete Alonso, Aaron Judge, Patrick Mahomes, Bo Nix, Cam Ward, Arch Manning and NFL analysis.

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The Dallas Cowboys were supposed to have a better defense. Instead, a second-year quarterback and a young New York Giants offense under new head coach John Harbaugh controlled the game, won the time-of-possession battle and forced Dallas into costly mistakes.

Jaxson Dart threw three touchdown passes, the Giants held the ball for more than 36 minutes and New York beat the Cowboys 28-20 in John Harbaugh's Giants debut. For Maggie Gray, that's a major red flag for Dallas.

On the latest episode of A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, Maggie breaks down the biggest winners, losers and surprises from the NFL and college football weekend.

📉 STOCK DOWN: THE DALLAS COWBOYS

Why was the Cowboys defense unable to control a young Giants offense? Jaxson Dart looked poised, John Harbaugh's Giants controlled the game and Dallas couldn't win the time-of-possession or turnover battle. Is the Cowboys defense actually improved?

📉 STOCK DOWN: GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packers completely collapsed against the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay led 22-10, then Minnesota scored 29 unanswered points, including 22 points in the fourth quarter, to win 39-22. How many more blown leads can Matt LaFleur survive before this becomes a coaching problem?

📉 STOCK DOWN: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

The Chargers were 9.5-point favorites — the biggest favorite of Week 1 — and got completely outclassed by the Arizona Cardinals in a stunning 26-14 loss. If Los Angeles loses to the Raiders next week, a brutal stretch against Buffalo, Seattle, Denver and Kansas City could make the season go sideways very quickly.

📈 STOCK UP: JOSH ALLEN & THE BUFFALO BILLS

Josh Allen accounted for four touchdowns and Buffalo scored 36 points against a Houston Texans defense that was supposed to be one of the NFL's best. The Bills also won in Houston for the first time since 2006.

📈 STOCK UP: THE CHICAGO BEARS OFFENSE

Caleb Williams and the Bears offense exploded for 59 points against Carolina, setting a franchise record for points in a season opener and producing 552 total yards. Is Ben Johnson's offense ready to become one of the NFL's most dangerous?

📈 STOCK UP: TEXAS & ARCH MANNING

Arch Manning and Texas pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in college football history, erasing a 23-3 fourth-quarter deficit to beat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23. Manning led three huge scoring drives as Texas scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

📉 STOCK DOWN: OREGON

Oregon nearly lost to Boise State in Week 1, then followed it up by losing 39-31 to Oklahoma State in Week 2. The Ducks entered the season ranked No. 6 and now have serious questions to answer after one of the most shocking upsets of the weekend.

From the Cowboys and Giants to Josh Allen, the Packers, Chargers, Bears, Texas and Oregon, Maggie Gray breaks down who is trending up, who is trending down and which teams should have sports fans worried.

00:40— Cowboys Got EXPOSED by Jaxson Dart & Giants

07:30  — Is Dallas' Defense Actually Better?

10:01 - Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers embarrassed themselves by losing to the Arizona Cardinals 

14:31 — Packers Collapse: 29 Unanswered Points, is Matt LaFleur on the Hot Seat?

19:45 - DraftKings Sports App!

21:27 — The Buffalo Bills made a statement on offense and defense by beating the Houston Texans 

29:48 — Bears Score 59: Caleb Williams STOCK UP

32:47 - The Los Angeles Rams Myles Garrett is having arthroscopic knee surgery. Did the Rams mismanage his injury? 

36:02 — Arch Manning Leads the Texas Longhorns INSANE Comeback

43:05 — Dante Moore and Oregon STOCK DOWN After Oklahoma State Loss

Subscribe to A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray for NFL, college football, NBA, MLB and sports commentary for sports fans.

#NFL #Cowboys #Giants #JaxsonDart #JoshAllen #Bills #Packers #Chargers #Bears #CollegeFootball #ArchManning #TexasFootball

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The Los Angeles Rams are STOCK DOWN after getting crushed by the San Francisco 49ers in Australia — and Maggie Gray thinks their travel strategy deserves serious scrutiny. The Rams arrived in Melbourne just over 24 hours before kickoff, while the 49ers arrived nearly a week early. San Francisco won 27-7, and the Rams appeared to fade badly as the game went on.

Could the Rams' decision to fly to Australia so late come back to haunt them in a crowded NFC West? If Los Angeles is battling San Francisco, Seattle and Arizona for the division — and potentially home-field advantage in the NFC — every game matters.

Maggie also gives STOCK DOWN to New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after an ugly fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks. Maye threw THREE interceptions in the fourth quarter as New England blew a 10-0 lead and lost 13-10. The bigger question: was Maye's MVP-caliber 2025 season helped by a favorable schedule, and does he become a different quarterback when he faces elite defenses?

Then there's Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham. After Michigan barely survived Western Michigan, Whittingham said Bryce Underwood's starting quarterback job was "not infinite." The problem? Underwood appeared genuinely surprised when reporters asked him about those comments. With No. 10 Oklahoma coming to Ann Arbor, Maggie says Whittingham has to understand that Michigan comes with a completely different level of media scrutiny than Utah.

Maggie also gives STOCK DOWN to the Los Angeles Dodgers for waiting so long to put Shohei Ohtani on the injured list. Ohtani is dealing with left knee and right biceps issues and is eligible to return September 23 — meaning he could have just FIVE regular-season games to get his timing back before the playoffs.

And in the matchup breakdown, Maggie looks ahead to Vikings vs. Packers. Can Jordan Love carry Green Bay against a Minnesota defense that was one of the NFL's best last season — especially without Josh Jacobs? Can Kyler Murray take advantage of Green Bay's defensive injuries and get Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison the football?

Plus: Maggie's biggest STOCK UP and STOCK DOWN calls of the week.

Subscribe to A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray for NFL, college football, MLB, NBA, sports analysis, predictions and opinions from a sports fan's perspective.

#NFL #Packers #Vikings #Rams #DrakeMaye #MichiganFootball #Dodgers #ShoheiOhtani #CollegeFootball #AMustWinGame

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The SEC is threatening to EXPEL LSU — and Maggie Gray thinks the conference has gone way too far.

On the newest episode of A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, Maggie gives her STOCK UP and STOCK DOWN on the biggest stories in college football and the NFL.

First: STOCK DOWN on the SEC's escalating fight with LSU and Lane Kiffin. The SEC is threatening to remove LSU from the conference after LSU challenged the league's new rule preventing players with previous NFL roster experience from returning to college football.

Maggie argues that the entire situation is a massive overreaction, especially because the controversy stems from changes to NCAA eligibility rules that created this unusual situation in the first place. The SEC has now moved toward a vote on whether LSU should be expelled from the conference.

Then: STOCK DOWN on Aaron Rodgers.

The New York Jets interviewed 16 candidates for head coach and 15 candidates for general manager during their 2025 search — and according to Maggie, all 31 ultimately said they would pass on Aaron Rodgers.

Thirty-one people.

Maggie also has a bigger problem with Jets owner Woody Johnson. What does it say about the New York Jets when so many people appear to have a voice in major football decisions? Maggie argues that Woody Johnson has too many voices around him and too many people influencing who gets hired, fired and retained.

And finally, Maggie makes her Super Bowl prediction.

She's taking the BALTIMORE RAVENS vs. the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS.

Are the Ravens and Seahawks legitimate Super Bowl contenders? Can Lamar Jackson finally get Baltimore back to the Super Bowl? Can Seattle make a run all the way to the NFL championship?

Maggie breaks it all down in the latest episode of A Must Win Game.

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#NFL #CollegeFootball #LSU #LaneKiffin #AaronRodgers

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Andrew “McLovin” Perloff is back with Maggie Gray — and he has plenty to say about the biggest football storylines of the moment.

College football is already surrounded by controversy, from Michigan’s wild finish against Western Michigan to the ongoing LSU and Lane Kiffin eligibility drama. Perloff joins Maggie to break down why college football has become such a mess before we’ve even gotten through the opening week.

Then Perloff takes aim at Maggie’s NFL predictions — specifically her decision to fade the Los Angeles Rams. Does he think the Rams are being seriously underrated?

And the conversation turns to Jalen Hurts after his revealing new GQ interview. Perloff explains why he believes Hurts needs to run more this season — and why Philadelphia could be in trouble if Hurts becomes too pass-first.

Maggie Gray and Andrew Perloff debate Michigan, LSU, Lane Kiffin, the Rams, Jalen Hurts, the Eagles and everything already making headlines in college football and the NFL.

Subscribe to A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray for more sports debates, NFL analysis, college football takes and honest opinions every week.

#CollegeFootball #NFL #JalenHurts #LaneKiffin #MichiganFootball

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Was Kawhi Leonard more involved in the Clippers salary-cap scandal than we realize?

Maggie Gray welcomes Mike Vorkunov, basketball writer for The Athletic, to break down the fallout from the Kawhi Leonard and Los Angeles Clippers scandal — including the biggest unanswered question: could Kawhi have played a larger role in an effort to circumvent the NBA salary cap in order to get more money?

Why does Steve Ballmer and the Clippers organization appear to have taken far more of the fallout than Kawhi Leonard? And what does the scandal mean for the NBA?

Plus, Maggie welcomes On3 college football insider Brett McMurphy to discuss the chaotic legal battle over fifth-year college eligibility. Competing lawsuits in Louisiana and federal court in Alabama are raising a bizarre question: Can players who have been on NFL rosters return to college and play another season?

It's a three-ring circus involving the NCAA, college football programs, NFL players, coaches and the courts — and the outcome could fundamentally change college football eligibility.

This is the latest episode of A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray.

time stamps

1:02 Unpacking the Kawhi Leonard and Clippers investigation and penalties handed down by the NBA
6:07 Is Kawhi Leonard a mastermind or an innocent bystander
13:03 Journalism! Thanks Pablo Torre!
15:41 Mike Vorkunov, Basketball Writer for The Athletic answers all my questions about Kawhi and the Clippers
31:48 Brett McMurphy, College Football Insider for On3 joins the show to talk about the eligibility craziness and why Lane Kiffin and LSU are taking this so far. 
40:41 Bill Belichick's General Manager Michael Lombardi has resigned and there have been allegations of improprieties in the University of North Carolina Athletic Department
43:40 Who is the next Indiana
45:30 How dangerous is Notre Dame?

#NBA #KawhiLeonard #Clippers #NFL #CollegeFootball

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Could nearly one-third of the NFL have an incentive to tank for a quarterback?

On the latest episode of A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, Maggie looks at the surprising number of NFL teams that could potentially lose interest in winning in 2026 if their season starts going sideways — because the 2027 NFL Draft could feature an extraordinary group of quarterbacks.

With names like Arch Manning, Dante Moore and other highly regarded prospects potentially available, quarterback-needy teams could have a huge incentive to think about the future rather than fight for a few extra wins.

Maggie's count?

Nearly one-third of the NFL could potentially be looking toward the 2027 quarterback class.

So which teams could be sellers at the trade deadline?

Which teams might decide there's more value in losing than winning?

And could the NFL actually see an NBA-style tanking conversation develop around the next franchise quarterback?

Maggie breaks down why the 2027 QB class could completely change the incentives for struggling NFL teams.

Also on the episode:

time stamps

00:45 Joe Burrow's surprising admission about once believing he wouldn't have a long NFL career — and whether Bengals fans should be concerned.

7:48 Steve Sarkisian's criticism of NFL players attempting to return to college football for another year of eligibility — despite a Texas player being involved in a similar legal fight.

13:31 Tarik Skubal's espresso machine drama after taking the machine he bought for the Tigers clubhouse with him to Los Angeles.

17:32 How many NFL teams will be tanking for a QB?

26:40 Why Maggie doesn't see the Yankees making a World Series run, with questions surrounding Aaron Judge, the pitching staff and shortstop.

This is A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, a sports podcast for sports fans.

#NFL #NFLDraft #NFL2027 #NFLNews #Quarterback #ArchManning #DanteMoore #NFLTanking #NFLDraft2027 #JoeBurrow #Bengals #Yankees #TarikSkubal #AMustWinGame

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He pretended to be a San Francisco 49ers wide receiver — and allegedly stole more than $1.3 million from more than 26 women.

On the latest episode of A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, Maggie dives into the bizarre and disturbing story of Daejon Love, who was arrested and charged with wire fraud after allegedly posing as an NFL player.

According to the United States Attorney, Love used the fake 49ers identity to allegedly defraud more than 26 women out of more than $1.3 million.

The story has gone viral — and Maggie breaks down how a fake NFL identity became the centerpiece of an alleged million-dollar fraud scheme.

Also on the episode:

🏈 Bill Belichick's UNC debut: Belichick and North Carolina opened the season with a win over TCU in Dublin, Ireland. But after last year's disastrous 4-8 season, is one victory enough to believe Belichick can actually turn things around?

🐯 Lane Kiffin's LSU spectacle: LSU's detailed pregame walkthrough before facing Clemson includes cheerleaders, the band, a flyover and even an intrasquad game in which the LSU starters reportedly beat the backups 86-18. If Kiffin's plan works, he looks like a genius. If it doesn't, critics will have plenty of ammunition.

⚾ Pete Crow-Armstrong's incredible rise: The Cubs star has emerged as the runaway favorite for National League MVP — but he was once a Mets prospect who was traded to New York for Javy Báez, who played only 47 games for the Mets.

Four unbelievable sports stories, all on the latest A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray.

Time stamps

1:02 the story of Daejon Love is crazy

11:02 Bill Belichick got a win  

17:30 LSU's crazy prep for Clemson

20:53 Pete Crow Armstrong is the runaway favorite for National League MVP, which is a disaster for the Mets who traded him for Javy Baez.  

#DaejonLove #49ers #NFL #SanFrancisco49ers #NFLNews #Fraud #BillBelichick #UNC #LaneKiffin #LSU #PeteCrowArmstrong #Cubs #MLB #AMustWinGame

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Can NFL players really go back to college football?

More than 100 athletes are suing for a fifth year of college eligibility, arguing they are entitled to another season — and some of these athletes have already played professional football.

Some have been on NFL rosters, participated in NFL training camps and even played in NFL preseason games.

On the latest episode of A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, Maggie is joined by Matt Moscona, who covers LSU for After Further Review and Locked on LSU and is the publisher of LouisianaSports.net, to unpack one of the strangest eligibility battles in college football.

What role does Lane Kiffin play in the story?

Is this simply a one-time legal fight involving a group of athletes?

Or could state court decisions create a precedent that opens the door for athletes to move between professional football and college football?

If athletes can play in the NFL and then return to college, the implications for college football could be enormous.

Maggie and Matt break down the lawsuit, the athletes involved and what could happen next.

Plus, Maggie examines the strangest offseason in recent San Francisco 49ers history, from Jed York's arrest in an undercover police sting to Kyle Shanahan's car accident and concussion, an unusual trip to Australia to play the Rams and an aging, injury-plagued roster.

But the big question is:

Could this eligibility fight completely change the relationship between college football and the NFL?

This is A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, a sports podcast for sports fans.

#CollegeFootball #NCAA #NFL #CollegeFootballNews #NCAAF #LaneKiffin #LSU #Eligibility #TransferPortal #AMustWinGame

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Why is Deshaun Watson angry at Browns fans?

On the latest episode of A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, Maggie gives Deshaun Watson a Stock Down after the Cleveland Browns quarterback criticized fans for booing him and said their treatment of him was personal.

But Maggie has a question:

What exactly are Browns fans supposed to be cheering?

Watson's football career in Cleveland has been defined by injuries, limited availability and disappointing production. So while Watson says the boos are personal and aren't about his football, Maggie argues that his football performance — or lack of it — is absolutely part of the reason Cleveland fans are frustrated.

And this is the latest negative chapter in one of the most controversial quarterback situations in the NFL.

Maggie breaks down why Watson's confrontation with Browns fans could make an already difficult relationship even worse.

Also on the episode:

This is A Must Win Game with Maggie Gray, a sports podcast for sports fans.

time stamps

1:02 📉 Stock Down: Bengals head coach Zac Taylor after Joe Burrow says he feels the most urgency of his career.

7:43  📉Stock Down Deshaun Watson for picking a fight with Browns fans

14:30 📈 Stock Up: The teams that missed out on Shohei Ohtani — because the Dodgers' ownership situation could create an intriguing twist involving Ohtani's contract.

#DeshaunWatson #ClevelandBrowns #Browns #NFL #NFLNews #BrownsFans #JoeBurrow #ZacTaylor #ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers #AMustWinGame

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