SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The votes are in, and the margin is razor-thin. In one of the closest races in league history, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford captured his first NFL MVP award Thursday night, edging out New England Patriots sensation Drake Maye by a mere five points. But while Stafford collects hardware, Maye has his eyes on a different prize: taking down the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 this Sunday.
Voters faced a brutal choice: sheer volume or ruthless efficiency. They chose the former. Stafford, in his 17th season, commanded the “Old Guard” vote with a league-leading 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. He secured 366 total points and 24 first-place votes.
Maye, the architect of New England’s stunning 14-3 resurgence, fell agonizingly short with 361 points and 23 first-place votes. Despite a superior passer rating (113.5) and a cleaner 14-3 record, the Patriots’ signal-caller couldn’t overcome Stafford’s aerial dominance.
| Category | Matthew Stafford (LAR) | Drake Maye (NE) |
|---|---|---|
| First-Place Votes | 24 | 23 |
| Passing TDs | 46 | 31 |
| Passer Rating | 109.2 | 113.5 |
| Record | 12-5 | 14-3 |
“My name’s on the trophy, but you guys mean the world to me. I’ll see you guys next year. Hopefully, I’m not at this event, and we’re getting ready for another game.” — Matthew Stafford, 2025 NFL MVP
“I turned a corner landing on the flight. I really had no doubt in being 100 percent for the game. It’s the Super Bowl… Do whatever you have to do to get it right.” — Drake Maye, on his shoulder injury ahead of Sunday
Stafford didn’t just accumulate stats; he dragged the Rams to the NFC Wild Card with a relentless aerial assault. His 28 consecutive touchdowns without an interception set a new NFL standard, breaking Tom Brady’s 15-year-old record. Voters clearly valued that historic streak over Maye’s dual-threat efficiency.
Maye’s case suffered from a “lighter” AFC East schedule, but his impact in Foxborough is undeniable. He transformed a rebuilding squad into the AFC’s top seed and now stands one win away from New England’s seventh Lombardi Trophy. While Stafford watches from home, Maye prepares to face a ferocious Seahawks defense in Santa Clara.
Stafford’s win cements his Hall of Fame resume, joining Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, and Roman Gabriel as Rams royalty. But the immediate focus shifts to Levi’s Stadium. Maye enters Sunday’s clash with a chip on his shoulder—literally and figuratively. After being snubbed for MVP, a Super Bowl ring would be the ultimate rebuttal. The Patriots face the Seahawks at 6:30 PM ET on Sunday.
