Patriots: The Race For The NFL's MVP Heats Up

The NFL MVP debate intensified heading into Week 18, with many expecting the season finales of Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford to determine the winner. Both quarterbacks delivered strong performances in decisive victories, leaving no clear statistical or narrative edge to settle the discussion. While Maye holds a significant advantage in many traditional and advanced metrics, particularly when comparing common opponents, those numbers may not ultimately sway voters unless the award is evaluated by its literal definition: most valuable player. Which, in my opinion, it hasn't been in a long time. The killer for me, however, is that if you took Stafford out of the Los Angeles team and Maye out of the New England team, who would suffer more? It is always going to be New England in that scenario, so by definition, Drake Maye is the most valuable player. 

Former NFL star J.J. Watt echoed that sentiment during his postgame commentary, acknowledging Stafford’s impressive production but emphasizing the importance of value to a team’s overall success. Watt’s argument centered on the idea that true value lies in how much a player elevates those around him. In that context, Stafford benefits from an exceptionally talented supporting cast, one that could likely sustain success even with a different quarterback under center.

That contrast becomes clearer when examining New England’s situation. The Patriots’ success is far more directly tied to Maye’s presence, as his performance has elevated a roster that lacks the same level of offensive star power as the Rams. Replacing Maye would fundamentally alter New England’s trajectory, while Los Angeles could reasonably remain competitive with a capable alternative at quarterback.

The argument also reflects broader criticism of how the MVP award is often decided. Stafford has played on playoff-caliber teams since joining the Rams in 2021, including a Super Bowl-winning roster, and has only entered MVP consideration this season with arguably the strongest offensive group of his career. That reality reinforces the notion that the award risks becoming a popularity contest or a de facto lifetime achievement honor rather than a true measure of individual value.

With betting markets now favoring Stafford, it appears likely he will win the award despite Maye’s standout season with fewer resources. For Patriots fans, however, the greater consolation lies in New England’s return to the playoffs and the presence of a young quarterback whose performance suggests both immediate contention and long-term promise.