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The Los Angeles Rams' season is over, but the team's franchise quarterback is up for the league's most prestigious statistical honor: NFL MVP.
Matthew Stafford is one of the top finalists for the award, alongside New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. And while Stafford won't be playing in the Super Bowl against Maye, he still led the league in passing touchdowns and passing yards this year in his 17th season.
There will be a lot of discussions between now and when the MVP award is announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 5. Some will point to Stafford's baseline stats as a basis for winning, while others will say Maye won his division and led his team to a 14-3 record despite no true stars on offense. Whatever the case is, the votes have already been cast. All we need to do is talk and wait.
ESPN's top analysts cast their votes and broke down who should win the award between Stafford and Maye. Of the 11 panelists, only three picked the Rams quarterback:
The ESPN article cites various statistical measures where Maye eclipses Stafford, including QBR. ESPN notes that QBR will "neutralize the biggest knock against Maye — the Patriots' soft schedule — because QBR and its derivatives adjust for quality of opponent." Additionally, Maye' plus-9% completion percentage over expected is the best single-season number by any quarterback since NFL Next Gen Stats began recording in 2016.
Stafford has the edge over Maye in a few other stats, though, like passing yards, touchdowns and sack avoidance. Stafford's 3.7% sack rate was third best, while Maye's 7.8% was 21st in the league.
Whatever happens at NFL Honors, Stafford moved up several league all-time leaderboards in his 17th season. He also could come back for an 18th year if he and the Rams both want that reunion. An MVP award would be a feather in Stafford's cap for a Hall of Fame jacket, but that's also a long ways away from being decided.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL MVP picks: Majority of ESPN analysts take Maye over Stafford
Continue reading...
Matthew Stafford is one of the top finalists for the award, alongside New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. And while Stafford won't be playing in the Super Bowl against Maye, he still led the league in passing touchdowns and passing yards this year in his 17th season.
There will be a lot of discussions between now and when the MVP award is announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 5. Some will point to Stafford's baseline stats as a basis for winning, while others will say Maye won his division and led his team to a 14-3 record despite no true stars on offense. Whatever the case is, the votes have already been cast. All we need to do is talk and wait.
ESPN's top analysts cast their votes and broke down who should win the award between Stafford and Maye. Of the 11 panelists, only three picked the Rams quarterback:
- Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: Stafford
- Dan Graziano, national NFL reporter: Maye
- Liz Loza, fantasy football analyst: Maye
- Eric Moody, fantasy football analyst: Maye
- Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst: Stafford
- Marcus Spears, NFL analyst: Maye
- Ben Solak, NFL analyst: Maye
- Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst: Maye
- Lindsey Thiry, national NFL reporter: Stafford
- Seth Walder, analytics writer: Maye
- Field Yates, NFL analyst: Maye
The ESPN article cites various statistical measures where Maye eclipses Stafford, including QBR. ESPN notes that QBR will "neutralize the biggest knock against Maye — the Patriots' soft schedule — because QBR and its derivatives adjust for quality of opponent." Additionally, Maye' plus-9% completion percentage over expected is the best single-season number by any quarterback since NFL Next Gen Stats began recording in 2016.
Stafford has the edge over Maye in a few other stats, though, like passing yards, touchdowns and sack avoidance. Stafford's 3.7% sack rate was third best, while Maye's 7.8% was 21st in the league.
Whatever happens at NFL Honors, Stafford moved up several league all-time leaderboards in his 17th season. He also could come back for an 18th year if he and the Rams both want that reunion. An MVP award would be a feather in Stafford's cap for a Hall of Fame jacket, but that's also a long ways away from being decided.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL MVP picks: Majority of ESPN analysts take Maye over Stafford
Continue reading...
