Drake Maye Comes Up Short In Latest MVP Poll Despite Ravens Comeback

The New England Patriots clinched a spot in the postseason with their 28-24 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. In the process, second-year quarterback Drake Maye further solidified himself as one of the top MVP candidates in the league.

Maye completed 31 of his 44 pass attempts for 380 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 25 yards on 10 carries. Maye committed a pair of turnovers along the way (one interception, one fumble), but when his team needed him to step up in the fourth quarter, he delivered two huge drives that ended with touchdowns.

With two games left in the regular season, it seems like Maye is in a neck-and-neck race with Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford for the MVP Award. In a poll conducted by NFL.com of various front office executives across the league, Stafford is still ahead of Maye, even when accounting for his big outing vs. Baltimore.

“Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was the runner-up with five votes,” Tom Pelissero wrote. “Still just 23 years old and in his second NFL season, Maye leads the NFL with a 70.9% completion percentage — topping Tom Brady’s franchise-record 68.9% in 2007 — and would be the youngest player ever to lead the NFL in that category.

“Along with the arrival of head coach Mike Vrabel, Maye’s growth is a big reason the Patriots have made the biggest jump in total wins from last season (4-13 in 2024 to 12-3 with two games to go this season).”

Stafford is enjoying the best season of his career (341/519, 4,179 YDS, 40 TD, 5 INT), as he’s leading the league in several major categories, such as passing yards and passing touchdowns. Maye’s numbers are right there with him, though (321/453, 3.947 YDS, 25 TD, 8 INT, 95 CAR, 387 YDS, 4 TD), which is why this race is coming down to the wire.

It is worth noting that the Rams suffered a crucial loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, so Stafford’s grip atop this race could be loosening. At the end of the day, though, Maye is more focused on winning football games with his team rather than winning individual awards, and he will look to do just that when the Pats return to action in Week 17.