Overview of Must Wins & Media Row: Trolling ESPN and Talking Shop with Matt Hasselbeck
This episode is a Super Bowl–week special mixing Media Row interviews, Super Bowl MVP riffs, betting picks, and football-travel talk. Hosts banter about Super Bowl history and MVP snubs, deliver game predictions and prop bets, and share short interviews from Media Row with former Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, NFL Europe/UK lead Henry “Handsome Hank” Hodgson, and podcaster/former player Ross Tucker. The tone is conversational, nostalgic, and betting-forward (DraftKings was a sponsor).
Key segments
Opening / Ads
- Sponsors: Venmo and DraftKings Predictions.
- Hosts riff on Super Bowl logistics (venue naming oddities, halftime show gripes) and general Super Bowl-week anxiety/rituals (what to eat, who to watch with).
MVP "The Max" argument
- Hosts humorously argue several historically overlooked Super Bowl MVP selections and propose a new trophy rebranding: starting with Super Bowl 60, the MVP trophy should be called “the Max” (after Max McGee, first Super Bowl TD scorer) and depicted in his iconic one‑handed catch pose, perhaps with a nod to the flight attendant anecdote.
Media Row interviews
- Matt Hasselbeck (Super Bowl XL starting QB, guest):
- Praised as a class act (chivalry anecdote opening doors).
- Asked whether he’d prefer Dan Marino’s statistical greatness or Eli Manning’s rings—he picks the latter (rings matter).
- Praised Trent Dilfer for winning the Super Bowl and for practical QB qualities.
- Regrets one sequence from Super Bowl XL: after a pass to the 1‑yard line to Jeremy Stevens, Hasselbeck lost his composure and threw an interception on the next play—he says a single reset/breath could’ve changed the outcome.
- Henry “Handsome Hank” Hodgson (NFL general manager, UK & Ireland office):
- Describes international NFL growth: three London games (Wembley + two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium).
- Recommends Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a top NFL stadium experience.
- Notes Jaguars’ consistent London presence and the team-building effect of repeated international games.
- Suggests the Chiefs are likely the most globally recognizable team (sustained success + star connections).
- Recommends travelling to Madrid for future NFL international game experiences and invites listeners to London.
- Shares a personal success story of a UK-born coach who rose through NFL Europe/International Player Pathway into an NFL defensive coordinator role—used as a concrete example of international player/coach pathways.
- Ross Tucker (host of the Ross Tucker Football Podcast):
- Light conversation (paper football, ice cream flavors — mint chip and “moose tracks” debate).
- Gives a short, straight prediction (20–17 Seahawks) and analysis: Seahawks favored overall; Patriots’ path is to force turnovers / optimistic throws from their QB; Drake Maye will need to use his legs.
Picks, predictions & betting advice (summary)
Note: DraftKings was the sponsor; the hosts repeatedly encouraged DraftKings prop-bets.
Host score predictions and MVP calls:
- Dave (host): Seahawks 26–17. MVP: Kenneth Walker.
- Mike: Seahawks 27–16. MVP: Sam Darnold.
- Mike Fuentes: Seahawks 31–17 (predicts Drake Maye pick-six swings outcome).
- Ross Tucker: Seahawks 20–17 (closer defensive game).
“Pick Six” prop card (presented on-air)
- Jason Myers: over 1.5 field goals.
- Sam Darnold: over 0.5 interceptions (i.e., at least 1 INT).
- Drake Maye: under 38.5 rushing yards.
- Kenneth Walker: combined rushing + receiving yards over 99.5 (hosts’ favorite pick).
- Ramondre Stevenson: under 77.5 rushing + receiving yards (Mike’s pick).
- A.J. Barner: scores a touchdown (one co-host’s pick).
- Promotional / novelty favorite: safety (bet offered at 11–1 — hosts recommend this as the fun, long‑odds pick).
(Transparency note: the transcript includes a few misspellings/variation of player names — e.g., “Drake May” vs. Drake Maye. Picks above follow the show’s stated props.)
Notable insights & anecdotes
- Max McGee story used as centerpiece for a playful Super Bowl-MVP rebrand argument — the show pushes the idea that oft-overlooked contributors deserve more recognition.
- Hasselbeck’s candid “what I would change” moment in Super Bowl XL: a single play (and composure/change-of-pace) potentially altered the outcome—an example of how one lapse in the Super Bowl can define legacies.
- Handsome Hank provides a clear, listener-friendly overview of the NFL’s international footprint and why London (and soon Madrid) are great fan experiences; underscores value of international player-pathway programs.
- Ross Tucker and hosts share lighter cultural moments (paper football, ice cream wars) to humanize the conversation and tie into nostalgia.
Main takeaways
- Hosts collectively favor the Seahawks to win Super Bowl 60 (most predictions lean Seattle).
- Betting props are a big part of the episode — especially the Kenneth Walker over 99.5 combined yards and the novelty safety (11–1) as the “must-bet” for the show.
- The NFL’s international footprint is real: repeat London games, new markets (Spain) and international player/coach development are creating tangible pathways into the league.
- Nostalgia and storytelling (e.g., Max McGee, Hasselbeck’s Super Bowl memory) remain central to Super Bowl week coverage — the show mixes analysis and affectionate reminiscing.
Action items / Recommendations (if you want to follow the hosts)
- If betting: consider the show’s highlighted props — Kenneth Walker over 99.5 combined yards; Drake Maye under 38.5 rushing; novelty safety (11–1) for entertainment value.
- If traveling for an NFL international game: visit London (Tottenham if you can) or consider Madrid for future seasons.
- If you liked the interviews: check out Matt Hasselbeck, Henry Hodgson, and Ross Tucker’s shows/appearances for deeper football analysis and international-NFL context.
Notable quotes
- “From this day forward, we start fresh every Super Bowl MVP starting with 60 through to eternity now wins the Max.” (hosts’ pitch to honor Max McGee)
- Hasselbeck: “You’ve got to move on to the next play.” (lesson learned from Super Bowl XL)
- Hodgson: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium “is probably a top five NFL stadium. It just happens to not be in the United States.”
Enjoy the Super Bowl — and, per the show, don’t forget the safety bet.