The NFL MVP race is nearing its end, and there are really only two legitimate candidates who can still win the award. With how much parity has been present in the NFL this year, it's actually a bit of a surprise that there aren't more definitive MVP candidates.
There is just one more regular season game left, so the playoff picture will be settled when this week is over. As we have done, we've power ranked the top MVP candidates, and the list is shrinking, to be honest.
Let's dive into our MVP rankings now that Week 18 is nearly upon us.
NFL MVP Power Rankings, Week 18: Matthew Stafford still at the top?
4. Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
You might laugh, but Bo Nix is a huge reason why the Denver Broncos are 13-3 and on the cusp of earning the top seed for the AFC playoffs. Nix has been outstanding this year in late-game situations, and he's turned into one of the more clutch quarterbacks in the league.
For whatever reason, though, there still seem to be quite a few doubters out there, but Nix and the offense have had to carry things for the Denver Broncos since the bye, as the defense has taken a noticeable step back in recent weeks.
Bo Nix has seven game-winning drives and five fourth quarter comebacks, so he's emerged as the most clutch QB in the NFL this year. He also leads the league in pass attempts but has the lowest sack rate in the league.
Nix is throwing the ball a ton and simply doesn't 'lose' games for his team. It's abundantly clear that Nix has been a driving force in the Denver Broncos breaking out even more this year, and the team is on the cusp of that top AFC seed, which guarantees the squad the first-round bye and homefield advantage in the postseason.
Bo Nix is fourth in our MVP power rankings.
3. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence has been heating up in recent weeks. He won't win the MVP this year, but he should get some votes. The 12-4 Jaguars are on the cusp of winning the AFC South, and there is still an outside chance that they earn the no. 1 seed for the AFC playoffs. With how well Lawrence has played over the last month and a half, the 2026 season could truly be where it all comes together for the QB.
2. Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Drake Maye has been very good this year and is someone who is going to finish no worse than second place in the MVP voting. Maye could still win the award, as he's had an insane seson for the New England Patriots and has consistently been a top-4 QB all year.
Maye played a lot better in his rookie season than people think, and we're seeing that continue and develop into 2025. The Patriots are probably still a year early in terms of making a playoff run, as the roster talent overall isn't all that special, but Maye has been the main reason why the Patriots are 13-3 thus far.
1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
I still think we have to take a big picture look at the season for Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford and the Rams have faced one of the toughest opposing defensive schedules in the NFL, but the New England Patriots and Drake Maye have faced one of the easiest, and this has been a thing with New England all year.
Sure, the Pats are taking care of business, but their schedule has been flat-out easy. The Pats still do have a chance to earn the top seed in the AFC, and that could be the one thing that puts Maye over the edge, but Stafford has been consistently better all year and is the main reason why the LA Rams are in a position to still make a deep run into the playoffs.