With just four weeks left in the regular season, the NFL MVP race is heating up-and right now, Matthew Stafford is setting the pace. The veteran quarterback delivered a vintage performance in Week 14, tossing three touchdown passes and leading the Los Angeles Rams back into the top spot in the NFC. After a rough outing in Week 13, Stafford bounced back in a big way, and with the Rams surging, he’s taken the lead in what’s shaping up to be a compelling four-man race.
Stafford’s showing against Arizona wasn’t just about the numbers-though 281 yards and three scores certainly pop off the stat sheet. It was about timing, command, and execution.
He looked in full control of Sean McVay’s offense, dissecting the Cardinals' defense with precision. That performance, combined with the Rams’ rise in the standings, has pushed him ahead of New England’s Drake Maye in the MVP odds.
Maye, who had the Patriots on a bye in Week 14, wasn’t able to build on his momentum from Week 13, when he led New England to a Monday night win over the Giants. That pause in action may have cost him.
His odds took a hit, and with Denver holding the tiebreaker over New England, the road to the No. 1 seed in the AFC just got a little tougher. That’s not a deal-breaker for Maye’s MVP hopes-but in a race this tight, every edge matters.
Meanwhile, Jordan Love is quietly making a strong case of his own. The Packers have ripped off four straight wins, and Love has been at the center of it all, throwing seven touchdowns over the last two games.
Green Bay now sits at 9-3-1 and holds the NFC’s No. 2 seed. If the Rams slip, the Packers are in prime position to pounce-and if Love keeps producing at this level, he’s going to be hard to ignore.
Week 15 looms large for Love and the Packers. They’ll face the 11-2 Denver Broncos in a game that could have major playoff and MVP implications. It’s a big-stage opportunity for Love to elevate his profile in a race that’s largely been dominated by Stafford and Maye.
Then there’s Josh Allen, who reminded everyone on Sunday just how dangerous he can be. The Bills rallied from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, and Allen was everywhere-251 passing yards, three touchdowns through the air, and another 78 yards and a score on the ground.
It was the kind of all-around performance that keeps him in the MVP mix, even if Buffalo is still chasing in the AFC East. A win over New England in Week 15 could change the narrative fast.
And while he’s not among the top contenders, Bo Nix deserves at least a mention. The Broncos are 11-2 and sitting atop the AFC.
Nix has had his ups and downs, but with Denver in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed, he’s at least in the peripheral MVP conversation. The Broncos have some big games ahead-Green Bay, Jacksonville, Kansas City, and the Chargers-so there’s still time for Nix to make a statement.
Bottom line: Stafford is the frontrunner right now, but this race is far from over. With four games left and playoff seeding still in flux, there’s plenty of room for movement. Maye, Love, and Allen all have paths to the award-it’s just a matter of who can seize the moment down the stretch.