Pro Football History.com Blog
December 11th, 2025
By Stephen Juza
With just a few weeks to go, the NFL MVP award is a competition between two quarterbacks remaining: Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye. As these quarterbacks continue leading their teams’ to the number one seed in their conference, other contenders last week have been fading from contention behind injuries, unexpected losses, and a general downturn in play. While we look at our updated MVP ranking for Week 14, consider looking at the melbet download apk to look at various games throughout the week.
Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams, Quarterback
Stafford continues to lead the way off the back of his best season of his seventeen year career. Stafford and the Rams got back to their winning ways this week with a 45-17 win over divisional rival Arizona Cardinals. Stafford threw another three touchdowns in victory, bringing his league leading total to 35 on the season. With four games to go, Stafford has a good chance of surpassing his career-high of 41.
But it’s not just touchdowns where he’s having one of his best seasons of his career. He’s also been more protective with the football in 2025. Last season was his career-low in interceptions for a full season (8), but through twelve games he’s only thrown four this season.
The Rams will need Stafford to continue his high level of play for the remainder of the season. The Seattle Seahawks are hot on the Rams’ tail for both the division lead and the first overall seed in the playoffs. The Rams have the tie-breaker currently based on their prior win in Week 11. The two rivals will face off in Week 16 for what could determine the first seed in the playoffs.
Drake Maye - New England Patriots, Quarterback
We continue to have Maye behind Stafford in the race for the MVP, it is still well within reach with a strong finish to his second NFL season. While Stafford may have the best personal story for the award, it will be hard for voters to deny the New England Patriots having the best team story for the award. This time last season, the Patriots were listless and one of the worst teams in the league. Less than a year later, the team has life and a bright future ahead of them. While new head coach Mike Vrabel will have a lot to do with that, it’s hard to deny the night-and-day impact of Maye’s improvement.
While improvement would be expected between someone’s first and second season, Maye is leading the league in completion percentage, second in passing yards, and has thrown eight more touchdowns than all of last season. And he has managed this while cutting down his interceptions. The Patriots will continue to leave some skeptical of how good they actually are this season because of their schedule, but the worst-to-first story in the AFC East is a compelling one for voters.
The Field
As the season draws closer to an end, the field of contenders has dramatically thinned. Perennial candidate Patrick Mahomes suffered one of his toughest losses of his career this week at home against Houston, all but eliminating him and the Chiefs from the playoffs for the first time in his career. Daniel Jones, once one of the most surprising stories of the 2025 NFL season, unfortunately tore his Achilles’ tendon this week, leading to a heartbreaking end to his season. And while reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Bills had a much-needed victory this week over the Bengals, his candidacy likely will only be boosted by a strong finish to the season with victories over the Patriots and the Eagles with four games to go. A strong finish like that could potentially move the team into yet another AFC East title, and with a little help, the first overall seed.
November 25th, 2025
By Stephen Juza
With Week 12 behind us, we have a new #1 seed in the NFC after the Los Angeles Rams won their ninth game of the year. There was quite a bit of movement in the NFC, with the top three playoff spots changing teams from Week 11. With the short week ahead for many teams, let’s look through the NFC standings.
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#1 - Los Angeles Rams (+2)
One week after taking over first place in the NFC West, the Rams have continued to move up in the NFC with a 34-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The victory has put the Rams at 9-2, good for the best record in the NFC. The Rams defense harassed Baker Mayfield into his worst game of the season, a 9-19 showing with one touchdown and two interceptions before exiting the game with a shoulder injury. The victory sent the Bucs to their fourth loss in five weeks, who are now only a half game up for the lead in the NFC SOUTH. The Rams will go on the road this week to face the Carolina Panthers.
#2 Philadelphia Eagles (-1)
The Philadelphia Eagles are reeling after a stunning loss to the Dallas Cowboys. After leading 21-0 in the second quarter, the Eagles gave up 24 unanswered points to lose to the Cowboys on a walkoff field goal by Brandon Aubrey. The Eagles lost after leading by at least 21 points for the first time since 1999, and the division loss makes it sting even more. The Eagles have a tough rebound game ahead when they host the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears on Friday.
#3 - Chicago Bears (-1)
Coming off a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bears continued their hold on the NFC North. The team won 31-28 after Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a late scratch for the matchup. Bears fans would have rather had an opportunity to beat their old Packers’ foe, but will take the victory over backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. The Chicago Bears move down to third in the conference based on the tie breaker with the Eagles over the better win percentage in conference games, but they will have an opportunity to overtake them when they play each other on Friday.
#4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The final division leader is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6-5. We previously remarked on the Buccaneers relatively easier path to the playoffs, but they have given up that lead with their third consecutive loss - this one at the hands of the #1 Rams. The Bucs' slide has given up their divisional lead and now sit only half a game above the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs will look to right the pirate ship next week against the Arizona Cardinals.
#5 - Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks continued to lead the NFC Wildcard chase with a 30-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans, who remain in the hunt for the first pick overall in April’s draft. The Seahawks played a clean game, giving up zero turnovers while wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba had yet another stellar game. Smith-Njigba had 167 yards receiving and two touchdowns, and his big day put him on pace for the first ever 2,000 yard receiving season in NFL history. The Seahawks will host the Minnesota Vikings this week, who may be without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy after he entered the concussion protocol on Monday.
#6 - Green Bay Packers
The Packers held steady at the sixth seed in the NFC after a complete victory against their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The 23-6 victory was led by running back Emanuel Wilson’s first career start. Wilson carried the ball 28 times for two touchdowns. The defense forced three turnovers (two interceptions and one fumble) while sacking McCarthy five times. The Packers have a tough road test ahead on Thanksgiving Day, travelling to Detroit to take on the Lions.
#7 - San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers continued to hold the last wildcard after a 20-9 victory at home against the Carolina Panthers. It was a turnover-prone game, as the teams combined for five interceptions and one lost fumble. The best source of offense for the 49ers was former Panther Christian McCaffrey, who had 142 yards of offense and one touchdown. The 49ers will go on the road to face the Cleveland Browns next week.
November 25th, 2025
By Stephen Juza
After twelve games, we have a new #1 seed in the AFC. With a 26-20 victory over the Bengals, the New England Patriots have passed over the Denver Broncos for the top seed in the AFC and owners of the best record in the league. With one new playoff team in the picture after the Steelers dropped out of first place in the AFC, let’s look at the latest standings after Week 12.
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#1 New England Patriots (+1)
The Patriots take over the #1 seed in the AFC after a road victory against the Bengals. They clinched their ninth straight victory for the first time since 2015. The Patriots overcame an early 10-0 deficit with a big 17-point second quarter, but their victory wasn’t clinched until the defense forced a turnover on downs with 18 seconds remaining in the game. The Patriots will host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
#2 Denver Broncos (-1)
The Broncos dropped down to the #2 seed on their bye week after the Patriots victory. However, the Broncos have two fairly easy road games coming up against the Washington Commanders (3-8) and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) coming up the next two weeks, so they will have a great opportunity to retake home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Colts continue their brief slide with a 23-20 Overtime loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Leading 20-9 entering the fourth quarter, the Colts gave up 14 unanswered points to the Chiefs offense. The defense did a good job of keeping the Chiefs out of the end zone, but in the end they couldn’t overcome five field goals from Harrison Butker. Despite the lead, the Colts abandoned the run, leading to the offense not picking up a single first down in the fourth quarter as their lead unraveled. The Colts will face AFC South rival, the Houston Texans, this upcoming week.
#4 Baltimore Ravens (+6)
Appearing on the Playoff Board for the first time this season, the Baltimore Ravens are rolling right now. After a 23-10 victory against the New York Jets, the Ravens have now won five straight games. After looking dead in the water after falling to 1-5, the Ravens have rallied to restore their season. The Ravens will look for their sixth straight victory when they host the Bengals on Thanksgiving Day.
#5 Los Angeles Chargers (+1)
After a bad loss to the Jaguars last week, the Chargers had a bye week to rest and recover. They have remained in the wild card picture in the off week, and will play host to the Las Vegas Raiders this upcoming week. The Chargers beat the Raiders on the road 20-9 in Week 2, and a win this week will be very important to maintain pace with the other wild card teams, who all sit at 7-4.
#6 Jacksonville Jaguars (+1)
The Jaguars moved up in the standings after a tight 27-24 overtime victory against the Arizona Cardinals. The Jaguars were able to overcome a sloppy game filled with numerous turnovers to win their third game in the last four weeks. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence three three interactions and lost a fumble while throwing three touchdown passes to lead the scoring for the Jaguars. The Jaguars will go on the road Thanksgiving weekend to take on the Tennessee Titans, owners of the worst record in the league.
#7 Buffalo Bills (-2)
After their second loss in three weeks, the Bills are close to missing the playoffs all together if they do not right the ship soon. The Bills lost 23-19 against the Houston Texans this week, with Josh Allen failing to throw for a touchdown pass for only the second time this season. The offensive line failed the offense this week, with the Cardinals sacking Allen eight times on the day. The Bills will go on the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.
November 25th, 2025
By Stephen Juza
After Week 12, the NFL MVP award has been turning into a two-man race between Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye. As these quarterbacks continue leading their teams’ to the number one seed in their conference, other contenders last week dropped down rankings because of unfortunate losses. While the MVP field narrows this week, there are contenders on the fringe that could make a run with a stellar end to the season.
Being an MVP requires lots of work in the classroom for these NFL players, studying film of their opponents, reviewing the new gameplan for the week, and lots of hard work in the offseason. They can’t phone it in, or say “Coach, I want someone to do my assignment for me”. They’ve got to put in the work day after day, week after week.
Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams, Quarterback
Stafford has continued to solidify his chance for his first ever MVP. With a very efficient 34-7 victory over Tampa Bay, Stafford threw for three more touchdowns to extend his touchdown lead over the rest of the league (30 touchdowns) with only two interceptions on the season. Only one other player in the league has more than 1,500 yards passing with fewer interceptions, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. With each passing week, Stafford puts up better stats.
This last week was his fifth straight game with multiple touchdown passes without an interception, and during that run he’s been careful to not take sacks either. It’s been since September since he’s been sacked three or more times in a game. Stafford has always lit up the stat sheet, but with the Rams leading the NFC, he’s turned this into his award to lose with six games to go in the season.
Drake Maye - New England Patriots, Quarterback
While Stafford is the wily old vet, his competition for the MVP is a second-year player out of North Carolina. Drake Maye has led the New England Patriots to a stunning turnaround from the 2024 season, with the team leading the entire NFL with a 10-2 record after coming in last in the AFC East just a season ago. While Stafford is leading the league in passing touchdowns, Maye leads the league in passing yards (3,130).
Maye has been remarkably consistent all season long. At least a touchdown in every game (except one). He protects the football with zero games with more interceptions than touchdowns. And his season low for passing yards is 203, while his season high was this week with 294 yards. Hardly a subpar game this season, and if his steady hand continues to lead the Patriots to the #1 seed, his MVP candidacy is hard to look away from.
The Field
With Stafford and Maye emerging as the likely candidates, other players may only get consideration with a dramatic finish to the season in the form of a major win streak. We had Colts running back Jonathan Taylor on the list last week, and he followed that up with his second worst game of the season when he only ran for 58 yards. Reigning MVP Josh Allen has fallen farther down our list after their second loss in three weeks, which now has them on the cusp of missing the playoffs. And one name that can’t be ignored is two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes, whose Kansas City Chiefs are sitting outside the playoffs looking in right now, but if they were able to close out the 2025 season with a playoff berth, it will likely be on his arm making big plays through the stretch.
This late in the season, it’s very likely that one of these five players will be hoisting the MVP trophy in February.
November 25th, 2025
When you consider the greatest quarterbacks ever, you’re looking at statistics at the same time as leadership, legacy and the ability to perform under the most intense pressure. Football history is rich with legends who defined their eras and selecting the top five demands you weigh championships, innovation and impact. As of 2025, for instance, Patrick Mahomes has already thrown for 34,701 career passing yards, underlining just how much he’s recast the position. This list brings together five signal-callers who radically influenced the game: some rewrote the record books, others inspired whole generations. You can appreciate greatness in different forms and these five represent the best of what the quarterback position can be.
Tom Brady: The ultimate winner
Tom Brady’s career represents the pinnacle of sustained excellence. He amassed more than 89,000 passing yards and threw 649 touchdown passes, setting all-time records for productivity. He won an unparalleled seven Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl MVP five times, showing up when it mattered most. His longevity is staggering, playing at a high level into his forties, guiding two franchises to championships. Brady’s work ethic, competitive drive and cold-blooded winning mentality make him the benchmark for what a winner looks like in the NFL.
Joe Montana: The comeback king
Joe Montana earned his nickname “Joe Cool” precisely because of his calm under pressure and his mastery of late-game comebacks. He led his team to four Super Bowl victories and collected three Super Bowl MVP awards, delivering his best in crunch time. His accuracy, poise and ability to dissect defenses under duress remain legendary. Particularly for the global fanbase, those seeking to bet online on Spanish platforms and analyze historic performances, Montana’s moments of clutch brilliance still come up in models assessing quarterback impact in big games. His legacy is defined by ice-cold nerves and surgical execution.
Patrick Mahomes: The modern marvel
Patrick Mahomes has changed how quarterbacks play in the 21st century; since becoming his team’s starter, he has thrown for over 32,000 yards and more than 245 touchdowns and already captured three Super Bowl titles. He has won multiple NFL MVP awards, with his performances on the big stage reflecting his rare talent. His improvisational style (sidearm throws, no-look passes and spontaneous scrambles) looks effortless, even when chaos rules. At just thirty, he combines elite arm talent, vision and poise in a way that makes you feel the sport is developing at his speed.
Peyton Manning: The field general
Peyton Manning redefined what a quarterback could be through his intellect and anticipation. He earned five regular-season MVP awards (the most in league history) as a result of his mastery of pre-snap reads and his ability to change plays at the line. He won two Super Bowls, once with his original team and later with a new franchise and consistently put up massive passing numbers year after year. His preparation was legendary: dialing audibles like a chess master and studying defensive tendencies like a strategist. Manning’s cerebral approach set a standard for precision and command.
Johnny Unitas: The pioneer
Johnny Unitas played in an era when passing was less dominant, yet he changed the game forever. Over eighteen seasons, he threw more than 40,000 yards and nearly 300 touchdown passes, representing extraordinary numbers for his time. He won three league MVP awards and directed countless two-minute drives with a calm confidence that inspired teammates. His grit, leadership and mastery of timing turned him into a legend and his style paved the way for the modern quarterback. Without Unitas, the concept of pressure-filled, late-game drive execution might look very different today.
Why this list matters
You might wonder why these five, particularly when so many other great quarterbacks exist. The answer lies in how they define different facets of greatness, ranging from pure winning to innovation, from cerebral mastery to raw leadership. Looking at their careers helps you understand how quarterback play developed: how pressure situations, era context and individual traits converge to create legends. Yes, this list is a ranking, but it proposes a framework for appreciating how the position grew, how talent matured and how some individuals reimagined what a quarterback could do.
Certainly, other names often come up in debates about the greatest ever. Aaron Rodgers dazzled with accuracy and efficiency, winning multiple MVPs; Dan Marino ripped off huge passing numbers in his era, even though he never won a Super Bowl; John Elway turned in heroic fourth-quarter drives and Steve Young offered a rare blend of mobility and precision. Don't forget - Brett Favre played with a ferocious passion and gunslinger flair. Depending on what you value, between arm strength, intelligence, championships or risk-taking, any of those might deserve a spot on your personal top-five list.
Final thoughts
When you think about what it means to be a truly great quarterback, it’s ultimately about impact, leadership and the ability to define an era. Tom Brady exemplifies the highest peaks of winning. Joe Montana offers unmatched calm under fire. Patrick Mahomes is a bridge to the sport’s future, constantly innovating. Peyton Manning proves how brilliant a signal-caller can be when his mind is as sharp as his arm. Johnny Unitas laid the groundwork for all that followed. Today, these five transformed the game and their legacies continue to influence every quarterback who picks up the ball.