NFL MVP Race Update: Stagnation Hits Top Candidate List

All football fans know that the 2025 season is one of the most wide-open years in recent memory. It is mid-December, and it feels like every team is in the race for the playoffs, and anybody can jump out to grab the NFL MVP award.

In terms of that top honor an individual player can get, we’re likely just a week or two away from the race finally consolidating into something concrete.

The MVP hunt has yet to see a heavy favorite this season, but it has had consistency for quite a while at this point.

Los Angeles and Foxborough house the two longtime front-runners, whom we’ll discuss in a moment, while the reigning award-winner in Buffalo has quietly hung around the group for some weeks as well.

Beyond those three, fans have seen a few wildcard candidates float in and out of the race.

Here, we’ll talk about the top five as things stand right now. After all, time is flying by; somehow, Week 15 is set to kick off tonight.

1. The Front Runner: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

The Odds: -180 (via FanDuel)

At 37 years old, former Lions legend and current Rams star Matthew Stafford remains in control of the MVP race after sticking near the top of the rankings for most of the 2025 NFL regular season.

The old man is enjoying the best statistical year of his career, and as a result, Los Angeles is at the top of the NFC.

https://twitter.com/NFLonPrime/status/1998468191480107200

His odds took a hit after an upset loss in Charlotte to the Panthers, as he also threw two interceptions on the day, but a Sunday demolition of the Arizona Cardinals has thrown him right back into being the prohibitive favorite.

Stafford has a big week against his former team coming this week, but if he can keep the Lions way this Sunday, and the Seahawks on Thursday night, he may just lock the MVP award up.

2. The Close Second: Drake Maye, New England Patriots

The Odds: +210 (via FanDuel)

Just barely trailing Stafford is a man 14 years younger in Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

The former Tar Heel and North Carolina native has blossomed in his sophomore season to the tune of 25 total touchdowns and just six interceptions. Not to mention, he has the Pats nearly atop the AFC at 11-2.

If he gets over Stafford in this race, it will likely stem from New England’s success, but that doesn’t mean we should discount what Maye has done.

He’s been phenomenal this season, and after a Week 14 bye, that track record will be put to the test against the Bills and Ravens.

3. The Emerging Candidate: Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

The Odds: +1200 (via FanDuel)

While Stafford and Maye have held the two top spots for a while, a new candidate has emerged into what many would say is third place. That would be Packers quarterback and the former Aaron Rodgers understudy, Jordan Love.

The gunslinger is in his third year starting, and his interception numbers have plummeted from seasons past.

His 22-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio is impressive, and his performance has propelled the Packers to four consecutive wins. They’ve beaten three straight division opponents within that hot streak.

To win the MVP, Love likely needs Stafford and Maye to slip up, and he’ll need big wins over the Broncos, Bears, and Ravens before finishing things up in Minnesota.

4. The Incumbent: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

The Odds: +1400 (via FanDuel)

It is rarely a good idea to bet against an incumbent, and that is what 2024 MVP winner Josh Allen is this season.

The narrative around the Bills this season has been one of slight regression, but I implore you to look at the standings: Buffalo is 9-4, and could climb back into first place by the end of the regular season.

The #Patriots watching the Bills survive the Bengals. The AFC East through 14 weeks:

1. Patriots – 11-2
2. Bills – 9-4
3. Dolphins – 6-7
4. Jets – 3-10

The Patriots can still win the division with a win over Buffalo next week. pic.twitter.com/AZ0p5SEGTB

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) December 7, 2025

They have the first-place Patriots this week, then the lowly Browns, slumping Eagles, and nearly league-worst Jets.

If they win out and take back the division, MVP voters will look at Allen’s elite overall production through rose-colored glasses as they cast their ballots.