Matthew Stafford edged Drake Maye in an incredibly tight NFL MVP vote last night. The 37-year-old Rams quarterback claimed his first MVP award by just one vote. Myles Garrett dominated defensively with a historic 23-sack season.
🔥 Quick Facts
- MVP Vote: Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes to Maye’s 23.
- Stafford’s Season: Led the league with 4,707 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions.
- Garrett Record: Set NFL single-season record with 23 sacks, breaking the previous mark of 22.5.
- Closest Race: The MVP contest was the tightest since 2003, highlighting Maye’s stellar rookie campaign.
A One-Vote Thriller that Crowned Stafford
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The 2026 NFL Honors delivered drama when Stafford edged Maye by a single voter’s preference. Stafford’s 24 votes narrowly defeated Maye’s 23 votes, marking the narrowest MVP decision in over two decades. The Rams’ quarterback led the league in both passing yards and touchdown passes. Maye brought something rare to the race: elite sophomore momentum and accuracy after transforming the Patriots from league doormat to contender.
The tight vote underscored two different championship narratives. Stafford’s veteran excellence powered Los Angeles to sustained success. Maye’s rookie-to-sophomore leap shocked the NFL and gave New England hope. Buffalo’s Josh Allen garnered the remaining votes, showing the competitive quality of 2025’s quarterback play.
Stafford’s Historic Offensive Season
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Stafford compiled one of the most statistically dominant seasons a quarterback has posted. His 4,707 passing yards led the entire league, with 46 touchdown passes also topping the NFL. Most impressively, he managed just 8 interceptions, demonstrating remarkable efficiency in ball control. The 37-year-old became the oldest quarterback to win MVP in his first attempt.
QBR rating of 71.0 ranked fourth league-wide, showing consistent excellence across clutch moments. Stafford proved that veteran quarterbacking with elite supporting talent remains a formula for dominance. His Rams offense moved the ball with precision, and his MVP acceptance opened questions about his potential return next season.
Drake Maye’s Second-Year Explosion
Drake Maye compiled 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions in only his second season. The Patriots quarterback led the entire league in completion percentage at 72.0%, showcasing surgical accuracy. His yards per attempt of 8.9 ranked high, and he transformed New England from a 4-13 team in his rookie year into a playoff contender.
| Stat | Stafford | Maye |
| Passing Yards | 4,707 (1st) | 4,394 (4th) |
| Touchdowns | 46 (1st) | 31 (3rd) |
| Interceptions | 8 (tied 17th) | 8 (tied) |
| Completion % | 66.8% | 72.0% (led league) |
“Matthew Stafford’s exceptional play and leadership have been instrumental in the Rams’ success this season. He earned this honor through consistent excellence and elite-level quarterback play.”
— According to NFL Honors statement
Myles Garrett’s Record-Breaking Defense
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns won Defensive Player of the Year unanimously, his second such award. The edge rusher shattered the all-time single-season sack record with 23 takedowns, surpassing Michael Strahan’s 2001 mark of 22.5 and T.J. Watt’s 2021 record. Beyond sacks, Garrett led the entire league with 33 tackles for loss, representing his career high.
Garrett’s 39 quarterback hits rounded out a historic defensive season rarely seen in modern NFL play. The 30-year-old defensive end dominated nearly every measurable on defense, making him a unanimous choice. His 2023 DPOY award proved this latest win was no fluke but rather sustained excellence at the game’s highest level.
What Does This Historic Night Mean for Super Bowl LX?
These NFL awards set the stage for a fascinating Super Bowl LX matchup looming this weekend. Stafford’s Rams enter as a veteran, well-balanced team. Maye’s Patriots carry momentum and precision quarterback play from an unlikely source. The defensive elite represented by Garrett raises questions about which defense dominates on football’s biggest stage.
Will Stafford’s veteran composure and league-leading efficiency prove decisive? Can Maye continue his upset magic against a legendary offense? The awards ceremony crowned excellence, but Super Bowl victory remains the ultimate prize for 2025 season standouts.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.