How Matthew Stafford’s Shootout Loss Affects MVP Race With Drake Maye

Matthew Stafford did just about everything he could to close the MVP conversation on Thursday night, but a heartbreaking loss may keep the door open for Drake Maye.

Stafford recorded 457 yards and three touchdowns for the Los Angeles Rams in a “Thursday Night Football” thriller against the Seattle Seahawks. A win would have clinched a playoff berth and given the Rams control over the NFC West and the conference’s No. 1 seed.

Instead, the Rams fell to a wild-card spot after a stunning 38-37 loss at Seattle.

Down 30-14 in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks scored two touchdowns with two-point conversions, including one highly controversial try in which a tipped pass was ruled a backward pass and live ball recovered by Seattle in the end zone. Viewers thought Stafford may have stamped his MVP case when leading an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in overtime, but the Seahawks answered and ended the game on another successful two-point attempt.

The outcome may have saved Maye’s MVP chances. Stafford remains a -220 favorite over the New England Patriots star (+420) on FanDuel Sportsbook on Friday morning after moving ahead to -250 before Week 16.

Stafford now has 4,179 passing yards, 40 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, and the 37-year-old narrowly wields a higher quarterback rating (112.1) than Maye (109.1). On the other hand, New England’s star has a more efficient 70.9 completion percentage and 8.7 yards per pass attempt.

Josh Allen also played himself into the MVP picture by leading the Buffalo Bills to a comeback win over New England. He’s right behind Maye at +440 odds to win MVP on FanDuel.

Maye likely needs a strong showing in a Sunday night triumph over the Baltimore Ravens to stay firmly in the MVP chase.