Overtime

The 2025–26 NFL season has been nothing short of one for the ages. Established powerhouses such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, teams once viewed as near-certainties to contend deep into January, instead found themselves sliding down the standings. At the same time, franchises widely believed to be years away from meaningful success emerged as legitimate contenders, competing for the number one seed in their respective conferences. However, no turnaround throughout the league was more striking or unexpected than that of the 2025 New England Patriots.

With the Brady–Belichick dynasty now a distant memory, optimism surrounding the Patriots entering the season was scarce. A first-year head coach in former Tennessee Titans leader Mike Vrabel, combined with a second-year quarterback still finding his footing in the league, gave little reason for fans or pundits to expect a dramatic shift in fortunes. Yet New England proceeded to shatter those expectations, compiling a 13–4 record highlighted by a nine-game winning streak and an extraordinary 8–0 mark on the road, a stark shift from their 4-win season the year prior under coach Jerod Mayo. That remarkable campaign was enough to secure the number two seed in the AFC, signaling that the Patriots’ return to relevance had arrived far sooner than anyone anticipated.

Success on this scale rarely occurs without elite quarterback play, and the Patriots’ unexpected rise has placed Drake Maye squarely in the middle of the NFL’s MVP conversation. While New England benefited from the league’s weakest strength of schedule (.391) compared to the Rams’ far more demanding path (.526), Maye consistently capitalised on the opportunities in front of him. Against common opponents, namely the Panthers and Falcons, the Patriots went a perfect 6–0, while Los Angeles finished 4–2, an early indication that Maye’s impact extended beyond simply benefiting from circumstance.

From an individual performance standpoint, Maye’s season was defined by efficiency, precision, and control. He completed 72 percent of his passes and averaged 7.78 yards per attempt, both comfortably ahead of Stafford, while also leading in advanced efficiency metrics such as EPA per play (0.305) and success rate (54.2 percent). Where Maye truly separated himself, however, was in accuracy. He posted a remarkable 10.3 CPOE, paired with a 79.0 percent on-target throw rate and one of the league’s lowest bad-throw percentages at 13.8 percent. Those numbers speak not only to consistency, but to a quarterback elevating the offense around him rather than relying on it. Despite operating behind a weaker offensive line and facing higher pressure rates, Maye still finished the season with more total yards than Stafford, while matching him with just eight interceptions.

That is not to diminish the season Matthew Stafford delivered. At 37, Stafford orchestrated one of the league’s most explosive offenses, leading the NFL in total touchdowns and guiding the Rams to a 12–5 record against significantly tougher competition. He benefited from elite pass-catchers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, a receiving duo capable of turning routine completions into game-breaking plays. Los Angeles finished ahead of New England in total receiving yards, yards after the catch, and yards per reception, while also providing Stafford with superior pass protection, as reflected in a higher pass-block win rate and lower pressure percentage. Stafford’s ability to maximise that supporting cast deserves genuine recognition and places him firmly among the league’s most deserving MVP candidates.

Yet when value is examined through the lens of responsibility and elevation, Maye’s case remains stronger. The Patriots lacked the same level of top-end offensive talent, but still finished with a higher catch percentage and a lower drop rate, numbers that align directly with Maye’s accuracy and ball placement. His production was not driven by explosive weaponry or pristine pockets, but by sustained efficiency, decision-making, and an ability to keep the offense on schedule. In a season filled with surprises, Matthew Stafford proved he still belongs among the league’s elite and likely solidified himself as a hall-of-famer. Drake Maye, however, proved something more difficult for a second-year quarterback, that he was the most valuable in football in 2025.