2025-26 NFL MVP Odds and Predictions Following Week 18

The NFL Most Valuable Player will be either Matthew Stafford or Drake Maye.

Stafford and Maye separated themselves from the pack over a month ago. They are the only two quarterbacks with a shot to win the award according to the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Stafford put up all the statistics that a quarterback dreams of producing in a regular season, but the Los Angeles Rams did not secure a division title.

Maye led the New England Patriots to the AFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff bracket.

Matthew Stafford (-180)

AP Photo

Matthew Stafford finished the regular season as the NFL's leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

The Los Angeles Rams quarterback threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. He was only intercepted on eight occasions and led the Rams to a 12-win season.

Stafford has all the numbers you'd love to see out of a MVP-caliber quarterback.

However, there is one knock on his resume. He did not win the NFC West. The Rams are the No. 5 seed in the NFC and visit the Carolina Panthers in the wild-card round.

On stats alone, Stafford holds the edge over Maye, but his team didn't accomplish what the Patriots did in the AFC East.

Drake Maye (+160)

AP Photo

Drake Maye brought the Patriots back to the top of the AFC East.

The second-year quarterback finished fourth in passing yards, third in passing touchdowns and only threw eight interceptions during New England's 14-win regular season.

Maye's stats are not drastically far off in comparison to Stafford, which is why you can build a strong MVP case around him.

Maye performed at a high level all season and brought the Patriots back to the top of a division they dominated during the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era.

He is a combination of strong statistical quarterback and feel-good story. Leading New England to a division title and the No. 2 seed may be enough to sway voters in his direction.

Prediction

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Stafford owns the clear edge in statistics.

But the Rams quarterback was also expected to put up gaudy numbers in an offense with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Maye entered the 2025 campaign with lower expectations than Stafford. He exceeded the preseason thoughts around himself and the Patriots and then some.

Winning a division title has to be rewarded along with stats. That's what Maye holds on his resume.

Maye won two more games than Stafford and landed the AFC East crown. That should be enough for voters to pick him instead of flat out using passing numbers to determine the award.

Prediction: 1. Drake Maye, 2. Matthew Stafford