Matthew Stafford had yet another three-turnover performance on Monday night, and it likely cost him the MVP. However, Stafford missing out on MVP honors might be the best-case scenario for him and the Los Angeles Rams in postseason play.
Winning MVP has rarely translated to playoff success in the last decade. As evidenced by the following chart, you might reach the Super Bowl, but you aren’t guaranteed a Super Bowl title:
| Year | Winner | Playoff Result |
| 2015 | Cam Newton | Lost Super Bowl (24-10 to Broncos) |
| 2016 | Matt Ryan | Lost Super Bowl (34-28 to Patriots) |
| 2017 | Tom Brady | Lost Super Bowl (41-33 to Eagles) |
| 2018 | Patrick Mahomes | Lost AFC Championship (37-31 to Patriots) |
| 2019 | Lamar Jackson | Lost AFC Divisional (28-12 to Titans) |
| 2020 | Aaron Rodgers | Lost NFC Championship (31-26 to Buccaneers) |
| 2021 | Aaron Rodgers | Lost NFC Divisional (13-10 to 49ers) |
| 2022 | Patrick Mahomes | Won Super Bowl (38-35 over Eagles) |
| 2023 | Lamar Jackson | Lost AFC Championship (17-10 to Chiefs) |
| 2024 | Josh Allen | Lost AFC Championship (32-29 to Chiefs) |
Well, okay, I should’ve said that you aren’t guaranteed a Super Bowl title, UNLESS you’re Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs star is the lone MVP winner of the last decade to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. That’s it.
Prior to Mahomes becoming the first player to win MVP honors and a ring in the same season, Rams legend Kurt Warner was the last to achieve that feat.
Stafford picked the worst time to have his first three-interception game since 2022 in the MNF loss to Atlanta. It’s fair to wonder if the pressure of being perfect to claim the honor had finally gotten to Stafford, though I’m sure he’d never admit it.
The kiss of death regarding his MVP chances likely came in that three-turnover performance to the Panthers in Week 13. Following that game, it felt as though the national media had placed Stafford under a microscope like never before. Players are typically good at avoiding the noise — except if they’re DeKaylin Metcalf — but even the most seasoned guys fall victim to it.
No matter the reason, Stafford should be fortunate if he does miss out on MVP. It would be disappointing for Rams fans if he weren’t rewarded for his efforts this season in some form, yet winning those honors is not all that it’s cut out to be.
So enjoy the MVP curse Drake Maye, as you’re now the odds-on favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook!
