NFL MVP race heats up: Stafford’s +150 odds lead Drake Maye, here’s who’s next

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By: Daniel Harris

Matthew Stafford has taken command of the 2025 NFL MVP race with +150 odds as the season enters its final weeks. The 37-year-old Rams quarterback leads all passers with 27 touchdown passes and just 2 interceptions. Drake Maye trails at +190 as the second-most likely winner. The race has tightened with multiple candidates still very much in contention.

🔥 Quick Facts:

  • Stafford’s odds improved from +300 to +150 after dominant Week 11 performances
  • Maye’s completion rate stands at 71.9% with impressive rookie consistency
  • Josh Allen resurrected his campaign with odds now at +475 after falling to +700
  • Jonathan Taylor sits at +750 as the only nonquarterback in top 5
  • Stafford could become oldest first-time winner since Brett Favre at age 40

Stafford’s Late-Career Surge Dominates the Race

Stafford’s resurgence is pure narrative gold for voters.

At age 37, he’s performing at an MVP level most thought impossible after his historic Super Bowl LVI championship run. He’s thrown for 2,557 yards through 11 games, averaging 268.4 yards per game. But here’s what matters more: his 27 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions represents historic efficiency.

The Rams quarterback moved swiftly from +300 odds to +150 following dominant wins where he put 280 yards and 4 touchdowns on the board against divisional opponents. His momentum feels unstoppable.

Drake Maye’s Rookie Magic Refuses to Fade

Drake Maye won’t go quietly into the night.

The New England Patriots quarterback burst onto MVP conversations from absolute long shots. He opened the season at +5000 odds, even dropped to +10000 at one point. Now he sits second at +190.

His rookie campaign has been historically impressive. Maye boasts 71.9% completion accuracy with 21 touchdown passes while continuing to lead his team to victories. He’s smashed multiple rookie records already. The Patriots’ surprise success keeps voters thinking about his impact.

The Crowded Middle Tier Changes Weekly

Player Team & Position Current Odds Key Stat
Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (QB) +475 Strong fourth-quarter performances
Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis Colts (RB) +750 Elite ground game consistency
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs (QB) +2200 Championship pedigree matters

Josh Allen’s resurgence shocked the betting world.

Just one week prior, he’d fallen to +700 odds after slower performances. But signature Bill moments—late-game heroics and clutch drives—pushed him back to +475. That’s still long compared to Stafford, though momentum matters more than raw odds at this stage.

Jonathan Taylor represents something rare: a running back still viable in MVP conversations. At +750, the Colts back proves elite ground games still get respect. Patrick Mahomes hangs around at +2200, relevant only because voters remember championships matter.

Why These Numbers Keep Shifting

The MVP race will move week by week until January.

This isn’t locked in. One bad game from Stafford changes the narrative. Meanwhile, Maye could string together three dominant weeks and suddenly vault to favorite status. Allen keeps proving he belongs. Voters don’t vote until February, giving everyone time to make their case.

What’s remarkable: the race remains wide open despite Stafford’s lead. No player has consensus support. One key injury could reshape everything. One incredible four-game stretch by any candidate resets the conversation entirely.

Will the Greatest Comeback Win Award Him One?

Can a 37-year-old quarterback really win his first MVP?

Stafford’s story is genuine Hollywood material. He spent 12 seasons in Detroit—often losing—before finally reaching championship glory. Now he’s performing at genuinely elite levels during what should be his decline.

Maye’s angle is cleaner: rookie sensation exceeding every expectation. His efficiency numbers are real. His team’s success is authentic. Voters might prefer rewarding a young star just beginning his journey.

But Stafford’s odds advantage signals Vegas sees the comeback narrative winning. What happens over the next six weeks will determine everything.

Sources

  • ESPN – NFL MVP odds and handicapping analysis through Week 11
  • Fox Sports – Matthew Stafford statistics and betting line updates
  • NY Times Athletic – Comprehensive MVP race coverage and candidate breakdown

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