8. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos have now won the AFC West - Denver is now divisional champs for the first time since the 2015 season, and the team has also won 23 total games since the start of the Nix era in 2024. Winning sometimes follows people, and we’ve seen Nix come through more times than not for his Broncos’ team.
7. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy will have played on Sunday Night Football
Brock Purdy will have played on Sunday Night Football, and I bet he carves out a very strong performance. He’s an efficient passer and has been heating up at the right time. You almost wonder if the toe injury he was dealing with is now truly 100%.
6. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars barely got by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17, but in this league, a win is a win. The Jags now move to 12-4 on the season and are on the doorstep of the AFC South title.
5. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
It was a bad loss for the Buffalo Bills in Week 17, but the Bills are still 11-5 and have won a ton of games this year. With the loss, though, the AFC East belongs to the Patriots, so the BIlls are going to have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
4. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions had a rough Week 17 performance, but Goff himself has still been very, very good this year and isn’t close to the problem for the Lions. He’s well into his career and is who he is at this point.
3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Another QB who has dealt with poor defensive performances this year is Dak Prescott. Prescott would be a top MVP candidate if he was on a team that had a stable defense, and it’s really that simple. He’s an excellent player, period.
2. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are now AFC East champions thanks to the Buffalo Bills’ loss in Week 17, and Maye tossed five touchdown passes in their win over the New York Jets.
1. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford plays on Monday Night Football
Still the MVP of the NFL, Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams play the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. Stafford should have a multi-touchdown performance in this one.