Matthew Stafford’s march towards his first NFL Most Worthwhile Participant award went from one of many league’s feel-good tales of 2025 to a big longshot over 4 surprising quarters in Atlanta on Monday evening.
With solely two regular-season video games remaining — each in opposition to groups out of playoff competition with coaches on the recent seat — Stafford entered Week 17 because the consensus MVP favourite forward of New England counterpart Drake Maye. That included at BetMGM, the place Stafford was the -210 favourite forward of Maye at +165.
The Falcons’ protection entered Monday evening with solely 12 interceptions by means of the crew’s 6-9 begin. However Atlanta picked Stafford off 3 times en path to a shocking 27-24 upset on nationwide tv.
Compounding issues was the prime-time meltdown got here a day after Maye accomplished 90.5% of his passes whereas throwing 5 touchdowns in a medical destruction of the New York Jets. Regardless of being pulled within the third quarter, Maye turned the fourth Patriots quarterback to cross for a minimum of 5 touchdowns in a recreation, becoming a member of Tom Brady, Steve Grogan and Babe Parilli.
Mixed with Buffalo’s loss to Philadelphia, New England clinched the AFC East title.
The sequence of occasions flipped Maye to the prohibitive -700 favourite at BetMGM, whereas Stafford’s odds sunk to +425.
DraftKings nonetheless has the race considerably nearer with Maye the -330 favourite forward of Stafford at +250.
Stafford’s first three-pick recreation of the season got here at a really inopportune time for each his MVP possibilities and for the Rams. Sitting in prime place to say the No. 1 seed within the NFC simply two weeks in the past, Los Angeles is now locked right into a wild-card spot following consecutive losses.
That Maye is on the helm of a division champion whereas Stafford’s Rams have limped to the end line may show to be the differentiating consider an in depth statistical comparability.
Stafford has thrown for 4,448 yards and 42 touchdowns in opposition to eight interceptions whereas finishing 65.2% of his passes.
Maye has thrown for 4,203 yards and 30 touchdowns in opposition to eight interceptions whereas finishing 71.7% of his passes.
Stafford’s MVP possibilities could possibly be additional hindered relying on what strategy coach Sean McVay decides to absorb Week 18. The Rams can do no higher than the No. 5 seed. If San Francisco beats Seattle on Saturday evening, Los Angeles can be locked into the No. 6 seed and may have little to play for on Sunday in opposition to the 3-13 Arizona Cardinals.
In the meantime, the Patriots nonetheless have a shot on the No. 1 seed and home-field benefit by means of the AFC playoffs on the road at dwelling in opposition to Miami. New England enters Week 18 with equivalent 13-3 information with Denver. The Broncos play host to the Los Angeles Chargers, who plan to relaxation beginning quarterback Justin Herbert in favor of backup Trey Lance.
For his half, Stafford stated he plans to play in opposition to the Cardinals.
“I like taking part in the sport,” he stated. “So, yeah, I will be able to go.”
–Area Degree Media
