With four weeks left in the NFL regular season, the MVP race has narrowed into what looks like a two-man sprint to the finish. Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye have emerged as the frontrunners, each leading high-performing teams while delivering consistently strong performances. But Week 14 reminded us that this race isn’t over just yet-Josh Allen and Jordan Love both made serious noise, and they’re not going quietly into the night.
Let’s break down where things stand heading into the final month of the season, who’s climbing, who’s sliding, and who still has a shot to shake things up.
Honorable Mentions: Myles Garrett, Jonathan Taylor, Dak Prescott
Before we dive into the top five, it’s worth tipping the cap to a few names who’ve made MVP-level impacts-even if they’re on the outside looking in right now.
Myles Garrett hit the 20-sack mark this past week, an elite milestone that speaks volumes about his dominance off the edge. He’s been a game-wrecker all season long, anchoring one of the league’s most ferocious defenses.
Jonathan Taylor, on the other hand, continues to slide. The Colts’ offense has sputtered, and Taylor hasn’t been able to carry them out of the mud. His MVP candidacy is fading fast as Indianapolis’ playoff hopes hang by a thread.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys saw their winning streak snapped on Thursday Night Football. It was a tough outing for a team that had been rolling, and while Dak’s had stretches of MVP-caliber play, this loss dings his momentum at a crucial point in the season.
No. 5 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
Smith-Njigba’s rookie campaign has cooled off just a bit since his scorching start, but don’t let that overshadow how impressive he’s been. He still leads the NFL in receiving yards by a wide margin, serving as the engine for one of the league’s most efficient and explosive passing attacks.
This past Sunday, he added 92 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-9 blowout win over the Falcons-reminding everyone why he’s still in the conversation. While he’s slightly off the 2,000-yard pace that would’ve made him a serious MVP contender, he’s still on track for over 1,800 yards. If he can average 134 yards per game over the final four weeks, the single-season receiving record is within reach.
Receivers don’t often get real MVP traction, but Smith-Njigba’s unique blend of route-running precision, after-the-catch burst, and volume production has made him the focal point of a high-powered offense. That’s rare-and it earns him a spot in the top five.
No. 4 - Jordan Love, QB, Packers
It’s been an up-and-down season in Green Bay, but Jordan Love is finding his groove at the right time. In Week 14, he threw three touchdowns in a statement win over the Bears that vaulted the Packers into first place in the NFC North.
Love’s season-long numbers are quietly excellent. He’s tied for fifth in the league with 22 passing touchdowns against just four interceptions-a stellar ratio for a first-year starter. More impressively, he’s tied for the league lead in EPA (Expected Points Added) per dropback at +0.22, a stat that underscores just how efficient he’s been when the ball is in his hands.
He’s not quite in the same tier as the top two just yet, but he’s got a big opportunity looming. A road matchup against a top-tier Denver defense this Sunday could be a defining moment. If Love shines on that stage, the MVP buzz around him could get a lot louder.
No. 3 - Josh Allen, QB, Bills
Josh Allen reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dangerous players in football when the weather turns cold. In a wild 39-34 win over the Bengals, Allen totaled four touchdowns-three through the air and one on the ground-showcasing the full arsenal of his dual-threat skill set.
The Bills are now 9-4, and Allen has another massive opportunity on deck. He’ll face the Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday, a chance to avenge an earlier-season loss and reassert Buffalo’s dominance in the AFC East.
When Allen is locked in, few quarterbacks can match his combination of arm strength, mobility, and improvisational brilliance. He’s been a bit inconsistent this season, but if he can string together a few more performances like Week 14, he could surge back into serious MVP contention.
No. 2 - Drake Maye, QB, Patriots
Drake Maye was on a bye in Week 14, but his MVP case is still very much alive. His Week 13 performance-a Monday night clinic against the Giants-was one of his best yet and helped keep him neck-and-neck with Stafford atop the leaderboard.
Maye’s defining moment of the season came back in Week 5, when he led a fourth-quarter comeback win in Buffalo. Now, he gets a chance to sweep the Bills and put a stranglehold on the AFC East. That’s the kind of narrative-defining opportunity that can swing MVP votes.
The second-year quarterback out of North Carolina has been poised beyond his years, showing command of the offense and the ability to deliver in big moments. Sunday’s matchup is a litmus test-not just for Maye’s MVP candidacy, but for New England’s legitimacy as a top-tier AFC contender.
No. 1 - Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
Stafford took full advantage of Maye’s bye week, reclaiming the top spot with a dominant showing against the Cardinals. He threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-10 rout, and the game was never in doubt.
The Rams bounced back in a big way after a frustrating loss to Carolina, and Stafford looked in total control from the first snap. He’s been surgical in recent weeks, and with the Rams surging, his MVP case is gaining steam.
Next up? A marquee showdown with the Detroit Lions-a team that’s been vulnerable through the air, despite tightening things up in a bounce-back win over Dallas. If Stafford delivers another big performance and leads the Rams to a win, he could start to put real distance between himself and the rest of the field.
Final Thoughts
The MVP race is far from over. Stafford and Maye are leading the pack, but Allen and Love are lurking, and Smith-Njigba has an outside shot to make history. With four weeks to go, every snap matters-and the stage is set for someone to make a late-season push that rewrites the narrative.
Buckle up. December football is here, and the MVP race is just heating up.