NFL MVP Race After Week 13: Stafford’s Precision vs. Maye’s All-Around Brilliance
With December football in full swing, the MVP conversation has zeroed in on two quarterbacks leading their teams - and the league - in very different ways. On one side, you’ve got Matthew Stafford, the veteran maestro orchestrating one of the most efficient passing seasons we’ve seen in years with the Los Angeles Rams. On the other, there’s Drake Maye, the second-year sensation who's completely revitalized the New England Patriots’ offense and put them back on the NFL map.
As Week 13 wraps, both quarterbacks are delivering MVP-caliber seasons. But how they’re doing it - and what it means for their teams - couldn’t be more different. Let’s break it all down.
Matthew Stafford: A Masterclass in Efficiency
Team Performance
The Rams are 9-3, riding high on the back of Stafford’s arm - though their momentum hit a speed bump in a 31-28 loss to the Panthers in Week 13. That snapped a six-game win streak, but it doesn’t erase what Stafford’s done to put L.A. in contention.
Individual Achievements
Stafford’s been surgical.
He set a new NFL record with 28 consecutive touchdown passes without an interception, breaking Tom Brady’s previous mark of 27. That’s not just clean football - that’s historic.
He leads the league with 32 touchdown passes, and his ability to protect the football (just 4 interceptions) has been critical to the Rams’ success. Stafford’s red zone execution has been off the charts, too - 26 of those TDs have come inside the 20, where windows shrink and decision-making gets tested.
This is vintage Stafford, but with a level of efficiency we haven’t seen even during his peak years in Detroit or his Super Bowl run.
Drake Maye: The Dual-Threat Dynamo
Team Performance
The Patriots have gone from rebuilding to redefining.
At 11-2, they own the NFL’s best record and are riding a 10-game win streak after dismantling the Giants 33-15 in Week 13. Maye isn’t just along for the ride - he’s driving the whole thing.
Individual Achievements
Maye’s numbers are staggering for a second-year QB:
- Completion rate: 71.0%
- Yards: 3,412
- Touchdowns: 23
- Interceptions: 6
- Passer rating: 111.9
Against the Giants, he was once again in full command - 24-of-31 for 282 yards and two scores. This isn’t just a young quarterback playing well; it’s a quarterback playing like a 10-year vet with elite tools.
Side-by-Side: How Do They Stack Up?
| Stat | Stafford | Maye |
|---|
| Team Record | 9-3 | 11-2 | | Completion % | 66.3% | 71.5% |
| Passing Yards | 3,073 | 3,412 | | Passing TDs | 32 | 23 |
| INTs | 4 | 6 | | Passer Rating | 111.7 | 111.9 |
| Rushing Yards | -10 | 319 | | Rushing TDs | 0 | 2 |
Stafford has the edge in touchdowns and ball security. But Maye?
He’s more accurate, has thrown for more yards, and adds a whole new dimension with his legs. His rushing production - 319 yards and 2 scores - isn’t just a bonus.
It’s a weapon.
Advanced Metrics: Maye’s Value Is Off the Charts
When you dig into the advanced numbers, the case for Maye only gets stronger.
| Metric | Stafford | Maye |
|---|
| Total EPA | 47.88 | 112.16 | | EPA/Play | 0.108 | 0.221 |
| Success Rate | 49.4% | 50.3% | | Explosive Passes (20+ yards) | 45 | 49 |
| Explosive Play Rate | 10.2% | 9.7% |
Maye’s EPA (Expected Points Added) numbers are jaw-dropping. He’s more than doubling Stafford in total EPA, which essentially measures how much a player contributes to scoring. His per-play efficiency is elite, and he’s generating explosive plays at nearly the same clip.
Under Pressure: Maye Is Thriving
Quarterbacks are defined by how they respond under pressure. Here’s how these two stack up:
| Metric | Stafford | Maye |
|---|
| Pressure Rate | 27.1% | 30.8% | | Completion % Under Pressure | 43.7% | 59.3% |
| Yards Under Pressure | 543 | 1,082 | | TDs Under Pressure | 4 | 10 |
| INTs Under Pressure | 0 | 2 | | EPA/Play Under Pressure | -0.530 | 0.005 |
Maye isn’t just surviving pressure - he’s thriving in it. Over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns under duress?
That’s rare air, especially for a young quarterback. Stafford’s ball security remains pristine (zero picks under pressure), but his negative EPA shows the offense stalls more often when things break down.
Situational Football: Maye Extends Drives, Stafford Finishes Them
| Metric | Stafford | Maye |
|---|
| 3rd Down Completion % | 50.5% | 65.7% | | 3rd Down Conversion % | 50.0% | 54.1% |
| Red Zone Completion % | 65.4% | 61.7% | | Red Zone Passing TDs | 26 | 14 |
| Deep Ball Completion % | 44.6% | 50.0% | | Deep Ball TDs | 5 | 6 |
This is where the contrast really shows. Stafford is a red zone assassin - 26 touchdowns inside the 20 is absurd.
But Maye owns third down, keeping drives alive with pinpoint accuracy and smart decision-making. He’s also more efficient on deep balls, adding another layer to his threat profile.
Mobility: Maye Changes the Game
| Metric | Stafford | Maye |
|---|
| Scrambles | 3 | 49 | | Scramble Yards | 11 | 321 |
| Rushing First Downs | 0 | 28 | | Yards Per Carry | -0.4 | 3.9 |
Stafford is a classic pocket passer - and a great one. But Maye’s legs are a true extension of the offense.
He’s moved the chains 28 times on the ground, creating first downs and momentum out of broken plays. That’s the kind of value that doesn’t always show up in box scores but wins games.
The MVP Arguments
Why Stafford Deserves MVP Consideration:
- NFL-best 32 passing touchdowns
- Only 4 interceptions
- Record-setting streak of 28 TDs without a pick
- Dominant in the red zone
- Veteran leadership and elite efficiency
Why Maye Has the Stronger Case:
- Best record in football (11-2)
- EPA and efficiency metrics that lead the league
- 71.5% completion rate
- Over 3,700 total yards (passing + rushing)
- 10 TDs under pressure
- Elite third-down and deep-ball production
- Game-changing mobility
Final Word: Two MVPs, One Clear Edge
Matthew Stafford is putting together one of the best pure passing seasons of his career - and that’s saying something. He’s been efficient, poised, and prolific.
But MVP isn’t just about stats. It’s about impact.
And right now, Drake Maye is impacting more phases of the game than anyone else.
He’s lifting a franchise, extending plays, beating pressure, and winning games in ways that go beyond the numbers. Through 13 weeks, Maye isn’t just in the MVP race - he’s setting the pace.