NFL MVP Race Heats Up: Midseason Favorites and Surging Stars

We’re officially past the midway point of the NFL season, and the MVP race is as wide open as it’s been in years. Every week seems to bring a new front-runner, with a few surprising names creeping into the mix after standout performances. Let’s take a look at who’s leading the charge right now.

JT’s Berlin Masterclass

Jonathan Taylor made international headlines this week after torching the Falcons defense in Berlin with one of the most dominant performances of the season. His mix of patience, burst, and balance reminded everyone why he was once considered the best back in football. Taylor’s resurgence has been the heart of his team’s success, not just filling the stat sheet but controlling the tempo of games. In a league where running backs rarely enter the MVP conversation, JT is forcing his way into it.

Drake Maye and the Patriots’ Stunning Dominance

Nobody, and I mean nobody, expected the Patriots to look this sharp with a second-year quarterback. Drake Maye has completely reshaped the identity of this team. Poised, confident, and unbothered by pressure, he’s turned New England’s offense from a liability into a strength. With the Pats riding one of the most balanced and consistent stretches in the league, his MVP case keeps getting stronger. If the wins keep coming, it will be hard to leave his name out of the conversation.

Stafford and the Rams Are Rolling

Matthew Stafford has been on fire, and the Rams are riding his hot streak. He’s carving up defenses, commanding the offense with precision, and proving that when he’s healthy, he’s still one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. Stafford’s connection with his receivers has been electric, and the Rams’ midseason surge has them looking more like the 2021 Super Bowl squad than a rebuilding project. If they keep climbing, Stafford’s name deserves serious MVP consideration.

Where Are the Big Names?

It feels odd to discuss the MVP race without Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen leading the way. Mahomes has still looked sharp, but a few inconsistent outings and surprising losses have slowed his usual dominance. Allen continues to post huge numbers, but Buffalo’s inconsistent offense and some high-risk throws have held him back. Neither is out of the race, but for now, new contenders are taking over the spotlight.

Final Thoughts

The MVP race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With players like Jonathan Taylor rewriting the script, a second year sensation in Drake Maye leading a resurgent Patriots team, and Matthew Stafford turning back the clock, there’s no clear favorite  and that’s what makes it so fun.

As the second half of the season unfolds, it’s not just about stats — it’s about who can carry their team when it matters most. And right now, a few unexpected names are doing just that. Some other game recaps below

WTF in Jags/Texans

In one of the largest comebacks the league has ever seen, the Texans fought back from a 19 point deficit. A game that should help the Jags inch closer to a wild card spot, split right through their fingers. 26 unanswered points for the Texans including a last second pick 6 to seal the game left Jags spread better in a world that didn't seem possible entering the final 15 minutes. 

Seahawks Defense goes Nuclear

In an important divisional game for the surging Cardinals, they couldn't have come out more flat. With 8 minutes left in the second quarter the Seahawks were spotting a 35-0 lead, set by 2 defensive touchdowns by Demarcus Lawerence. Only a fumble inside their own 10 gave the Cardinals an opportunity to get points on the board in the first half. Darnold took care of business and had a 43 yard TD pass to JSN and a 67 yard bomb to Cooper Kupp set the tone on the offensive side of the ball. 

Jaxon Dart and the Collapse of the Giants

Jaxon Dart yet again had another all time game for the Giants freshman. 242 pass yards with 66 rush yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, looked like the Giants were setting up for another road win. Yet, the rough play and lack of awareness on when to protect himself caused him to leave the game with a concussion. Russell Wilson came in and proved why he should just retire and go spend time with his family. It gave the chance for Williams and the bears to storm back and win 24-20 and sit with a recognizable 6-3 record. 

Rocket Picks

Last week’s TNF game was one of the worst primetime games in recent memory. With only 17 total points and two touchdowns, predicting the only two touchdown scorers would have been a miracle, and both Bowers and Harvey missed out.

This week, hopefully we get back on track with more markets available. Let’s keep it simple and roll with some hot hands. Combine these two picks for a 3.7x multiplier or add more Rockets to really watch your payout take off.

Drake London: More than 0.5 Rush + Rec TD - London kept his touchdown hot streak alive in Berlin last week. Expect him to find the endzone again as the go-to guy in the passing game.

Rome Odunze: More than 0.5 Rush + Rec TD - Odunze bounced back last week and looks poised to score in a divisional matchup against the Vikings with a high total.