![\"NFL:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27900984.jpg\")
Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nMatthew Stafford’s march toward his first NFL Most Valuable Player award went from one of the league’s feel-good stories of 2025 to a significant longshot over four shocking quarters in Atlanta on Monday night.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n With only two regular-season games remaining — both against teams out of playoff contention with coaches on the hot seat — Stafford entered Week 17 as the consensus MVP favorite ahead of New England counterpart Drake Maye. That included at BetMGM, where Stafford was the -210 favorite ahead of Maye at +165.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Falcons’ defense entered Monday night with only 12 interceptions through the team’s 6-9 start. But Atlanta picked Stafford off three times en route to a stunning 27-24 upset on national television.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Compounding matters was the prime-time meltdown came a day after Maye completed 90.5% of his passes while throwing five touchdowns in a clinical destruction of the New York Jets. Despite being pulled in the third quarter, Maye became the fourth Patriots quarterback to pass for at least five touchdowns in a game, joining Tom Brady, Steve Grogan and Babe Parilli.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Combined with Buffalo’s loss to Philadelphia, New England clinched the AFC East title.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The series of events flipped Maye to the prohibitive -700 favorite at BetMGM, while Stafford’s odds sunk to +425.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n DraftKings still has the race somewhat closer with Maye the -330 favorite ahead of Stafford at +250.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Stafford’s first three-pick game of the season came at a very inopportune time for both his MVP chances and for the Rams. Sitting in prime position to claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC just two weeks ago, Los Angeles is now locked into a wild-card spot following consecutive losses.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n That Maye is at the helm of a division champion while Stafford’s Rams have limped to the finish line might prove to be the differentiating factor in a close statistical comparison.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Stafford has thrown for 4,448 yards and 42 touchdowns against eight interceptions while completing 65.2% of his passes.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Maye has thrown for 4,203 yards and 30 touchdowns against eight interceptions while completing 71.7% of his passes.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Stafford’s MVP chances could be further hindered depending on what approach coach Sean McVay decides to take in Week 18. The Rams can do no better than the No. 5 seed. If San Francisco beats Seattle on Saturday night, Los Angeles will be locked into the No. 6 seed and will have little to play for on Sunday against the 3-13 Arizona Cardinals.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Meanwhile, the Patriots still have a shot at the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs on the line at home against Miami. New England enters Week 18 with identical 13-3 records with Denver. The Broncos play host to the Los Angeles Chargers, who plan to rest starting quarterback Justin Herbert in favor of backup Trey Lance.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n For his part, Stafford said he plans to play against the Cardinals.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “I love playing the game,” he said. “So, yeah, I’ll be ready to go.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n