The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots are both gearing up for what they hope will be a prosperous playoff run after strong regular seasons. The Rams lived up to high expectations this year, finishing with a 12-5 record and comfortably reaching the postseason despite not winning the NFC West. Meanwhile, the Patriots soared above expectations in their first season with Mike Vrabel as head coach, finishing 14-3 and earning the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
Both teams are led by explosive offenses, with quarterbacks Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford right at the center of the action. The two have been the top MVP contenders for many weeks now, but with the regular season behind us, it’s time to pick a winner. Who should get the league’s highest individual honor? Let’s break down the cases and make a call.
### The Case for Matthew Stafford
If you look at the counting stat leaderboards, Stafford is the clear-cut winner. He is the NFL’s passing champion with 4,707 yards and also led the league in passing touchdowns with 46. Despite 597 attempts on the season, Stafford only threw eight interceptions and was arguably the best pure passer in the NFL.
The Rams boasted the best offense in the league by most metrics, and Stafford was a big reason for it. Los Angeles led the league in total offense and scoring offense, standing as the only team to average more than 30 points per game. Stafford’s play is a big reason why, despite being a wild card and facing a tough road ahead, the Rams remain one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Stafford also played some of his best football against the top teams on Los Angeles’ schedule. He notably carved up the elite Seattle Seahawks defense in Week 15 prime time, throwing for 457 yards in an overtime loss. He also had monster performances against the Lions, 49ers, and Jaguars, all in wins.
Beyond the stats, Stafford’s ability to push the ball downfield and attack the middle of the field—especially in the intermediate range—is the single biggest reason why the Rams are both efficient and explosive on offense. He expertly moves defenders with his eyes and fits the ball into tight windows.
For some voters, this could be somewhat of a career achievement award for Stafford, who has made just three Pro Bowls and never been selected to an All-Pro team in a loaded quarterback era. While he already has a Super Bowl ring with the Rams and is chasing a second, adding an MVP trophy would be a fitting honor for his remarkable career.
Of course, Stafford’s detractors will point to the elite supporting cast and coaching around him. Sean McVay is arguably the best play-caller in the league, and the Rams have one of the best wide receiver tandems in football with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Some of Stafford’s worst games have also been costly, such as his three-interception prime time performance against the Falcons in Week 17, which cost the Rams a chance to win the NFC West. He also had three turnovers, including a pick-six, in a Week 13 loss to the Panthers.
### The Case for Drake Maye
While Maye doesn’t match Stafford in counting stats, he is the efficiency king of the NFL this season. Maye leads the league in EPA (Expected Points Added) per dropback at +0.25, highlighting how consistently efficient he has been.
The second-year star has been a completion machine, connecting on an incredible 72% of his passes to lead the league. His completion percentage over expected is +9.1%, a full four percent higher than Brock Purdy, who is in second place.
Maye isn’t just piling up short passes either. His average air yards per attempt is 9.1, trailing only JJ McCarthy, according to Next Gen Stats. He also completes 62.1% of his passes beyond 10 yards, the best mark in the league.
Remarkably, Maye has done all of this without the elite supporting cast Stafford enjoys. While Stefon Diggs has been a reliable producer, the Patriots’ next four leading receivers are Hunter Henry, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Pop Douglas. The offensive line is average and has dealt with injuries, forcing Maye to face the sixth-highest pressure rate in the NFL (38.6%). That’s more than 11% higher than Stafford’s, who has the second-lowest pressure rate in football.
Speaking of pressure, Maye has been the best quarterback in football with defenders bearing down on him in 2025. His EPA per dropback when pressured (-0.06) is the best mark in the league. He also leads in yards per attempt (8.8) and completion percentage over expected (+10.8%) in those situations.
Few quarterbacks manage the pocket better than Maye, an impressive feat given his youth. He almost always finds the right place to throw and uses his legs to extend plays and gain yards as a scrambler.
If you’ve been following the debate, you’ve likely heard the biggest knock against Maye: the schedule. There’s no denying the Patriots play in a weak AFC East and had a comparatively soft slate outside of that division, especially against the gauntlet Stafford faced in the NFC West.
Maye has dominated teams like the Jets and Dolphins, who have struggled this year, and some voters may take that into account when evaluating his case.
### Who Wins the 2025 NFL MVP?
This is a very close race, reminiscent of last year’s epic contest between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Stafford has been incredibly explosive, while Maye has been as efficient as they come and magical in the big moments.
Maye rose to the occasion twice in prime time—against the Bills and Ravens—leading his team from behind in the fourth quarter to clinch pivotal AFC wins. The Patriots were supposed to be rebuilding in 2025, and Maye’s emergence as a superstar has accelerated that timeline despite an average supporting cast and a defense that is visibly weaker than Los Angeles’.
With those clutch MVP moments in mind and the impact he has had on his team, Drake Maye is your 2025 NFL MVP.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/drake-maye-matthew-stafford-mvp-cases-picking-winner
