### The 2025 NFL MVP Race: Drake Maye Surges as Matthew Stafford Stumbles As the 2025 NFL season approaches its climax, the race for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award has become increasingly competitive. New England Patriots quarterback **Drake Maye** has emerged as a strong contender, particularly following a stellar performance in Week 17, while Los Angeles Rams veteran **Matthew Stafford** has seen his candidacy falter after a disappointing outing. The dynamics of the MVP race have shifted dramatically, with Maye now positioned as the frontrunner as the playoffs loom. ### Breakdown of the MVP Race Dynamics 1. **Drake Maye's Ascendancy** - Maye delivered an outstanding performance against the New York Jets, completing **90.5%** of his passes and throwing **five touchdowns**, leading the Patriots to a decisive **42-10 victory** [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/drake-mayes-historic-outing-tightens-nfl-mvp-103917434.html]. - His performance not only set franchise records but also made a significant impact on his MVP odds, propelling him ahead of Stafford [https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2025/12/drake-mayes-historic-performance-in-patriots-blowout-win-strengthens-mvp-case.html]. 2. **Matthew Stafford's Decline** - In stark contrast, Stafford's MVP hopes took a hit after a **three-interception** game against the Atlanta Falcons, where the Rams lost **27-24** [https://yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/matthew_stafford_may_have_thrown_mvp_away_in_3_pick_loss/s1_17049_43267543]. - This performance led to a significant drop in his MVP odds, shifting the narrative from a potential first MVP award to a longshot [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-nfl-mvp-odds-scenarios-drake-maye-matthew-stafford]. 3. **Current MVP Odds and Expert Opinions** - Following Week 17, sportsbooks have adjusted their odds, with Maye now favored over Stafford [https://www.outkick.com/betting/drake-maye-now-nfl-mvp-betting-favorite-after-matt-staffords-mnf-stinker-week-17]. - Analysts and former players, including Cam Newton, have weighed in, suggesting that Maye's performance should solidify his position as the MVP, while others still advocate for Stafford's candidacy based on his overall season performance [https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-you-see-people-game-planning-them-cam-newton-urges-nfl-mvp-voters-ditch-matthew-stafford-drake-maye-160-000-000-stalwart]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Drake Maye's Week 17 Stats**: - **Completions**: 19 - **Attempts**: 21 - **Yards**: 256 - **Touchdowns**: 5 - **Completion Percentage**: 90.5% [https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/12/30/patriots-film-review-inside-drake-mayes-near-perfect-game-that-demolished-the-jets]. - **Matthew Stafford's Week 17 Stats**: - **Interceptions**: 3 - **Loss**: 27-24 against the Falcons [https://www.boston.com/sports/morning-sports-update/2025/12/30/drake-maye-christian-mccaffrey-mvp-odds]. ### Conclusion: The MVP Race is Maye's to Lose In summary, the 2025 NFL MVP race has taken a decisive turn in favor of **Drake Maye**, who has capitalized on a remarkable performance while **Matthew Stafford** has stumbled at a critical juncture. The following points encapsulate the current state of the MVP race: 1. **Drake Maye's exceptional performance** against the Jets has solidified his status as the MVP favorite. 2. **Matthew Stafford's disappointing outing** against the Falcons has significantly diminished his chances. 3. **Expert opinions and betting odds** now favor Maye, indicating a shift in the narrative as the playoffs approach. As the season concludes, all eyes will be on Maye to see if he can maintain his lead and secure the MVP award [https://photonews.com.pk/nfl-mvp-race-2025-maye-stafford].