NFL MVP Cases: Top Week 17 Plays From 5 Leading Candidates As Race Heats Up

With the NFL regular season winding down, the intrigue surrounding the race to crown the 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player is hitting a fever pitch.

The Week 17 slate was doubly important for all the top MVP candidates because of the playoff implications but also as one of the final chances to leave a lasting impression on voters.

Drake Maye, Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen and Caleb Williams took the field and found varying levels of success, which could impact their odds. Matthew Stafford, this year's likely frontrunner, may raise some eyebrows heading into Week 18, however, after an off night in a spotlight game on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons.

As the playoff field officially takes shape, let's take a look at the Week 17 performances of the five leading MVP candidates in what could be the last regular-season week with each in play:

Unfortunately for Stafford, one of his more underwhelming games of the season came in a shocking 27-24 road loss to the Falcons in primetime. He nearly led a 21-point comeback after a scoreless first half but fell short en route to finishing the game 22-of-38 for 269 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions—including one that was returned for a touchdown.

Stafford had five picks coming into Monday night, and nearly matched that output against the 7-9 Falcons. Still, the 17-year pro, after logging his second Pro Bowl in the past three seasons, may be poised to take home his first MVP barring a late surge by another candidate (Maye anyone?).

Don't let the sizzle reel of dominance against the league's worst team take away from the fact that Maye's sophomore season has been sensational.

On Sunday against the Jets in a 42-10 road win, Maye absolutely obliterated New York,