With just four weeks left in the NFL regular season, the MVP race is starting to take shape-and it's looking more and more like a two-man sprint to the finish. Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye have led their teams with poise and production, keeping them atop the standings and themselves squarely in the MVP conversation.
But Week 14 reminded us this race isn't over yet. Josh Allen and Jordan Love each delivered statement performances that could keep them in the hunt as the season hits its final stretch.
Let’s break down where things stand and who’s making noise as the finish line comes into view.
Honorable Mentions: Myles Garrett, Jonathan Taylor, Dak Prescott
These three have all had MVP-worthy moments, but each has hit a snag lately.
Myles Garrett reached the 20-sack milestone this past week-an elite benchmark that underscores just how dominant he’s been. He’s been a game-wrecker all season long for a Browns defense that’s kept them in playoff contention. But as impactful as Garrett has been, defensive players have a tough road in MVP voting, and without a late-season surge from Cleveland, he likely remains on the outside looking in.
Jonathan Taylor’s early-season brilliance has given way to a tough stretch. The Colts' offense has stalled, and Taylor’s production has dipped along with it. With Indianapolis sliding in the standings, his MVP case is losing steam.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys saw their win streak snapped on Thursday Night Football, a tough blow for a team that had been surging. Prescott has been sharp for much of the year, but the loss puts a dent in his momentum at just the wrong time.
No. 5 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
He may not be leading the MVP race, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba deserves recognition for the season he’s putting together. After a scorching start, the rookie wideout has cooled slightly, but he still leads the league in receiving by a wide margin. That’s no small feat in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
Smith-Njigba added another two touchdowns and 92 yards in a dominant 37-9 win over Atlanta on Sunday. He’s now tracking toward an 1,800-yard season-an absurd number for any receiver, let alone a first-year player. While the 2,000-yard mark might be slipping out of reach, he still has a shot at the single-season record if he can average 134 yards per game over the next four weeks.
What makes his season so special isn’t just the numbers-it’s how he’s doing it. He’s not just a deep threat or a slot guy; he’s the engine of one of the league’s most explosive passing attacks. That kind of impact, even if it doesn’t earn him the MVP trophy, keeps him firmly in the conversation.
No. 4 - Jordan Love, QB
Jordan Love’s season has been a bit of a roller coaster, but lately, he’s been finding his groove-and it couldn’t be happening at a better time for Green Bay. Love threw three touchdowns in a crucial win over the Bears on Sunday, a victory that vaulted the Packers into first place in the NFC North.
Quietly, Love’s numbers are stacking up with the best in the league. He’s tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22) and has thrown just four interceptions. Even more impressive, he’s tied for the league lead in EPA (expected points added) per dropback at +0.22-a stat that reflects just how efficient and effective he’s been when the ball is in his hands.
He’s still trailing the top two candidates, but Week 15 offers a golden opportunity: a road matchup against the Denver Broncos, one of the league’s stingiest defenses. If Love can shine in that spotlight, he might just force his way into the top tier of this race.
No. 3 - Josh Allen, QB
Josh Allen reminded everyone in Week 14 why he’s always a threat to win MVP. In a snow-globe shootout in Buffalo, Allen accounted for four total touchdowns-three through the air, one on the ground-in a 39-34 win over the Bengals. It was vintage Allen: fearless, physical, and flat-out electric.
The win pushed Buffalo to 9-4 and kept them in the thick of the AFC playoff race. And now, Allen gets a shot at another MVP moment.
In Week 5, Drake Maye went into Buffalo and led New England to a fourth-quarter comeback win. On Sunday, Allen gets his shot at revenge-this time in Foxborough.
A big performance in that game, especially if it helps the Bills climb back into the AFC East race, could vault Allen right back into the MVP spotlight.
No. 2 - Drake Maye, QB
Drake Maye didn’t play in Week 14, but his performance the week before was strong enough to keep him near the top of the leaderboard. His Monday Night Football showing against the Giants in Week 13 was a reminder of just how calm and commanding the second-year quarterback can be under the lights.
Maye has been one of the league’s most consistent playmakers all season, and he’s already had his signature MVP moment-leading a comeback win in Buffalo back in Week 5. Now, he has a chance to complete the sweep against Allen and the Bills on Sunday. If he can do that and keep the Patriots at the top of the AFC East, it’ll be hard to deny his MVP credentials.
This is a defining stretch for Maye. He’s shown he can handle the moment. Now, we’ll see if he can seize it.
No. 1 - Matthew Stafford, QB
After a tough loss to Carolina, Matthew Stafford and the Rams came out swinging in Week 14-and they didn’t miss. Stafford threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-10 demolition of the Cardinals, a game that was over almost as soon as it began.
That kind of bounce-back performance is what separates MVP candidates from the rest. Stafford has been dealing all season, and Sunday was just another reminder of how in control he is of Sean McVay’s offense. The timing, the accuracy, the command-it’s all there.
Next up? A marquee matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Detroit’s pass defense has had its ups and downs, and while they looked better against Dallas, Stafford and the Rams present a different kind of challenge. A big game on that stage could give Stafford the breathing room he needs to hold off Maye and Allen down the stretch.
Final Thoughts
With four weeks to go, the MVP race is heating up. Stafford leads the pack, but Maye, Allen, and Love are all within striking distance-and Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to put up numbers that are hard to ignore.
The next month will be full of playoff drama, but make no mistake: the MVP race is just getting started. And with so many big games on the horizon, the award is still very much up for grabs.