New England Patriots
Maye leapfrogged Stafford throughout a number of sportsbooks after the Rams QB struggled on Monday Evening Soccer.
The race for NFL MVP has largely been a two-man race down the stretch between Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford.
However with only one week left within the NFL common season, Maye has leapfrogged Stafford because the frontrunner for the accolade — due largely to what performed out on Monday evening in Atlanta.
Stafford entered the Rams’ Monday Evening Soccer matchup in opposition to the Falcons nonetheless holding pole place throughout a number of sportsbooks because the odds-on favourite for league MVP.
However that sentiment modified briefly order after Stafford imploded within the first half — finishing simply 9-of-17 passes for 96 yards and two interceptions, together with a pick-six. Atlanta held a 21-0 lead at halftime, and finally withstood a Rams second-half surge to carry onto a 27-24 win.
That brutal begin for Stafford shortly shifted the fortunes for Maye — who closed out Week 17 efficiency with a record-setting efficiency in opposition to the Jets (19-of-21, 256 yards, 5 touchdowns).
Stafford entered Monday as the favourite to win NFL MVP at -250. However after that loss to the Falcons went remaining, Maye is now main the pack at -550, per FanDuel.
Stafford, who closed out his evening finishing 22-of-36 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and three picks, now sits in second place in MVP odds at +420 on FanDuel.
DraftKings Sportsbook additionally now has Maye within the lead at -400, with Stafford ranked second at +300.
Stafford’s odds dropped all the way to -115 on DraftKings after that he was knocked for a pick-six courtesy of Jessie Bates III , with Maye jumping ahead as the favorite at -175 after Stafford’s second interception of the primary half.
Although Stafford and the Rams did claw again within the second half and erased Atlanta’s three-touchdown lead, it was too little, too late.
The 37-year-old Stafford has impressed this season with the Rams, throwing for over 4,400 yards to go together with 42 touchdowns and eight interceptions to date.
However the case may be made that Maye has been the extra invaluable participant for his staff in 2025, particularly with Stafford working in an offense that boasts established playmakers like Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Past the narrative of Maye main a four-win Patriots membership in 2024 to 13 wins (up to now) and a playoff berth in 2025, the second-year professional has stuffed the stat sheet and posted probably the most environment friendly QB campaigns in league historical past.
By way of 17 video games this season, Maye leads the NFL in passer score (112.9) and completion share (71.7) — whereas additionally throwing for 4,203 yards and 30 touchdowns in opposition to simply eight interceptions.
On Sunday in opposition to the Jets, Maye additional staked his declare to develop into simply the seventh second-year professional to win an NFL MVP.
Sunday marked the first time in NFL history {that a} QB had recorded 255 or extra passing yards, 5 or extra touchdowns, and posted a completion share of 90 p.c or higher in a single sport.
Whereas Maye has deflected loads of the discourse relating to his MVP candidacy this season, his head coach supplied up a ringing endorsement after Sunday’s win.
“They don’t give me [an MVP] vote, however I’d [give it to him],” Mike Vrabel mentioned Sunday. “There’s no one else that we wish as our quarterback or that I would like as our quarterback.”
Maye and the Patriots will look to safe at the least the No. 2 seed within the AFC (and attempt to leapfrog Denver for the top seed) on Sunday once they host the Miami Dolphins for his or her regular-season finale.
Stafford and the Rams will shut out their regular-season slate subsequent Sunday once they tackle the Arizona Cardinals.
Get the most recent Boston sports activities information
Obtain updates in your favourite Boston groups, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
