Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and we’re starting to see real separation between contenders and pretenders — not just among teams, but among MVP hopefuls. After a week filled with upsets, quarterback duels, and standout performances, here are your top five NFL MVP candidates heading into Week 10.
NFL MVP Race Week 9
5. Jonathan Taylor
The NFL MVP award has long been quarterback-dominated, which means any non-QB candidate simply can’t afford an off day. Unfortunately for the Colts, Jonathan Taylor had his first real stumble of the season in their loss to the Steelers, averaging fewer than 3.5 yards per carry for the first time this year.
Even so, Taylor’s overall numbers remain outstanding. Much like Saquon Barkley a year ago, he’s been the driving force behind the AFC’s top seed. With a tougher schedule ahead, Indianapolis will need Taylor at a true MVP level to keep its momentum alive through the second half of the season.
4. Patrick Mahomes
The reigning favorite took a massive hit in Week 9, being outdueled by Josh Allen in another regular-season meeting between the two stars. Mahomes had his first career game with more incompletions than completions, snapping a historic streak and denting his season averages.
The bye week comes at the perfect time for both Mahomes and the Chiefs. Their schedule only gets tougher from here, and their margin for error has vanished. Still, if there’s one player capable of rallying from adversity and rewriting the narrative, it’s Mahomes.
3. Josh Allen
After a dominant performance against Mahomes and the Chiefs, in which he recorded as many total touchdowns as incompletions, Josh Allen is firmly back in the MVP race and has reclaimed his spot as a betting favorite to repeat.
The past two weeks have shown a return to form after early-season struggles with turnovers and sacks. Allen’s chemistry with James Cook has revitalized Buffalo’s offense, and if he continues to play at this level, the Bills will once again be a major postseason threat — and Allen will have every chance to go back-to-back.
2. Drake Maye
We’re past the point of calling Drake Maye’s run a hot streak as the Patriots’ sophomore is simply playing like a top-five quarterback in the NFL. What makes his emergence even more impressive is that he’s doing it with a roster still under construction and without the elite weapons most MVP candidates enjoy.
Maye delivered yet another multi-touchdown, 100+ passer rating performance in a narrow win over the Atlanta Falcons. If he leads New England to its first division title since the Tom Brady era, he won’t just be a great story — he’ll be a legitimate MVP front-runner.
1. Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has silenced every offseason doubt with one of the best starts of his career. Following a summer clouded by contract tension and injury concerns, he’s responded with elite production: top-five in passing yards, the league leader in touchdown passes, and just two interceptions through eight games.
Stafford has propelled the Rams to a 6–2 start, with both losses coming in overtime or on a last-second blocked field goal. In year 17, he’s proving that age is just a number. If he keeps up this pace and guides Los Angeles to another deep playoff run, an MVP trophy, and perhaps a Canton ticket, could all be waiting for him.
Main Image: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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