Ex-Jets star scoffs at notion that Drake Maye is an MVP candidate

Not everyone seems to be chanting for Drake Maye to win MVP and even be thought of for the dignity.

Former Jets linebacker turned ESPN analyst Bart Scott believes that Maye shouldn’t be among the many candidates for MVP as a result of Patriots’ teaching and high quality of opponents to date.

“No, I noticed a quarterback that has a very good coordinator that designs good performs for him,” Scott stated when requested if he sees an MVP-type participant in Maye on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “However I additionally see a group that’s beat groups with a mixed document of 37-66. Let’s maintain it in perspective.

“Now, I did see an excellent participant, however I wouldn’t be stunned, wouldn’t be shocked, in the event that they win the division and must host Kansas Metropolis, Baltimore or Buffalo and get despatched house.”

The Patriots’ high quality of opponents has been a typical sticking level for individuals who have questioned simply how excessive their ceiling is regardless of their league-best 9-2 document. To their level, New England’s energy of schedule is the worst within the league this season and the Patriots are the one group whose opponents’ mixed successful share is lower than .400 (.356). Another measures level to the Patriots’ strength of schedule being historically weak.

Nonetheless, the Patriots’ energy of victory (.353) is in the identical ballpark as most of the different AFC playoff contenders, such because the Colts (.373), Broncos (.331), Payments (.362), and Chiefs (.362). The Patriots are additionally 2-1 towards opponents who’re above .500 this season, beating the Payments and Buccaneers after shedding to the Steelers.

Maye additionally largely performed properly within the Patriots’ three video games towards opponents with a document above .500 this season. He’s averaged 270 passing yards and 23.3 speeding yards over these video games, throwing for 4 touchdowns and two interceptions.

However Maye’s arguably had his greatest video games towards groups beneath .500. That was the case on Thursday night time, when he threw for 281 yards and a landing in a 27-14 win over the Jets. Maye was additionally extremely environment friendly in that recreation, finishing his first 11 passes as he accomplished 25 of 34 throws (73.5 %).

Nonetheless, as Maye recorded his ninth recreation with at the least 200 passing yards and a 100 passer ranking this season, Scott hasn’t seen sufficient from the Patriots quarterback to put him among the many frontrunners for MVP. Scott emphasised the assistance round Maye as a cause for that.

“This can be a well-coached group that’s taking part in about as excessive as they might, and so they have a quarterback that’s not shedding the sport, capable of make performs down the sector,” Scott stated. “You already know, 66 % in throws over 20 yards [down the field] or higher — that’s nice. That lets you get explosive. Which means they will rating. I believe Stefon Diggs has grow to be the type of route-runner that they want, with the ability to transfer the chains and issues like that, be that outlet for [Maye].

“However MVP? I believe that’s disrespectful to Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold, and Matthew Stafford.”

Scott isn’t the primary to level out that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has vastly helped Maye this season. Maye would also be the first to say that McDaniels has elevated his play this season. However the expertise round Maye was largely seen among the many league’s worst getting into the season, with their offensive line still being viewed as a middle-of-the-pack unit.

No matter how you’re feeling concerning the expertise and assist round Maye, he’s statistically been one of many NFL’s greatest quarterbacks this season. He’s seventh in passing yards per recreation (257.8), tied for second in landing passes (20), and fifth in passer ranking (113.2). He additionally leads the NFL in metrics like completion share over anticipated (CPOE) and anticipated factors added (EPA). On prime of that, Maye has the NFL’s second-best passer ranking (139.6) on passes of 20-plus air yards.

The gamers Scott talked about as his MVP frontrunners have all put up fairly sturdy seasons as properly. Jones and Darnold are each top-10 in passer ranking, whereas Stafford leads the league in passing touchdowns by 5 regardless of taking part in one fewer recreation than Maye and another quarterbacks.

However Maye is the present favourite to win MVP at most sportsbooks, if solely barely. He holds +235 odds to win the award at DraftKings Sportsbook, as Stafford has +250 odds for MVP.