Stephen A Smith declares Matthew Stafford’s MVP race is completely over, makes stunning declaration on First Take

Stephen A Smith has declared the 2025 NFL MVP race is effectively over, and he’s crowned Matthew Stafford the clear winner heading into the final two weeks. The Los Angeles Rams quarterback continues to dominate the conversation on First Take after lighting up the statistical categories this season.

Stafford’s Dominant 2025 Season Sets Him Apart

At 37 years old, Matthew Stafford continues to defy age expectations with a career year. Leading the entire league in both passing yards and touchdowns, the veteran Rams quarterback has elevated the Los Angeles offense to historic levels. His 71.8 QBR rating ranks among the league’s elite, showcasing efficiency alongside volume.

The Los Angeles Rams remain one of the league’s best teams heading into Week 17, and Stafford’s fundamental role in that success cannot be understated. His ability to execute in clutch moments and deliver on downfield throws has been instrumental to the team’s continued playoff positioning.

Stephen A Smith’s Case for Stafford to Win MVP

ESPN’s First Take host hasn’t minced words about his preference. Smith has repeatedly pointed to Stafford’s statistical dominance as the deciding factor in what he believes is a settled debate. The commentator emphasized that at the position of quarterback, where volume and efficiency matter most, Stafford’s numbers are undeniable.

What makes Smith’s endorsement significant is his willingness to declare the race “over” with two games remaining. This suggests the statistical gap between Stafford and the challengers is substantial enough that a collapse would be required for the narrative to shift dramatically.

Statistic	Matthew Stafford	Drake Maye	Josh Allen
Passing Yards	4,179	3,891	3,754
Touchdowns	40	29	28
Interceptions	5	6	7
Current MVP Odds	-215	+180	+2,500

The Remaining Competition: Can Drake Maye or Allen Mount a Comeback?

Drake Maye and the New England Patriots have gained ground in recent weeks with impressive offensive performances. The rookie quarterback has shown the kind of composure and accuracy that has NBA drafting comparisons swirling. However, Maye faces the inherent disadvantage of being a first-year player in what remains a seasoned voter mentality for MVP awards.

Josh Allen has quietly climbed the odds board after strong weeks, but the Buffalo Bills quarterback would need an extraordinary final two games to overcome Stafford’s statistical lead. Allen‘s two-way contributions (running and passing) add value, but traditional MVP voting still prioritizes passing efficiency and volume.

“Attention, Attention Ladies & Gentlemen: this NFL MVP race is over. It belongs to @RamsNFL QB Matthew Stafford. The man is sensational.”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN First Take

What the Final Two Weeks Mean for the MVP Race

While Smith has effectively called the race decided, the NFL MVP is voted on by a combination of media members, coaches, and fans. Stafford‘s final two games could cement his legacy as an MVP winner or leave room for late-season momentum shifts. The Los Angeles Rams face critical games that will also determine their playoff seeding and first-round positioning.

For Stafford, this represents a chance to win his first MVP award at age 37, further strengthening his Hall of Fame case. For Maye and Allen, the remaining opportunities provide small windows to keep their names in the conversation, but the climbing odds suggest most observers agree with Smith’s assessment that the race has reached its conclusion.

The Late-Season Surge Factor

Sports history shows that late-season performances can occasionally shift MVP conversations. However, the statistical deficits facing Maye and Allen are substantial enough that truly MVP-caliber final performances would be required to overcome Stafford’s advantages in both volume and efficiency categories.

Will the Final Two Games Confirm or Deny Stephen A Smith’s Declaration?

The prediction that Stephen A Smith has made is bold but statistically grounded. With Matthew Stafford leading in the two most important quarterback statistics—yards and touchdowns—and maintaining a manageable five interceptions, the case for him appears nearly insurmountable. The real question isn’t whether Stafford has done enough, but whether final-week performances could create a dramatic reversal in the voting patterns.

For fans and analysts following the 2025 NFL MVP race, the next two weeks provide a final narrative chapter before the award is officially announced. Whether the voting body agrees with First Take’s declaration will determine if Stephen A Smith’s prediction proves prescient or premature as the season reaches its conclusion.

Sources

• ESPN First Take – Stephen A. Smith’s recent MVP commentary and declarations
• NFL.com – Official 2025 season statistics and player performance data
• Sports Media Outlets – Updated odds comparisons and MVP race analysis through Week 16