Why Matthew Stafford Is An MVP Candidate

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SoFi Stadium And The Oculus. Photo Credit: Kirk Morrison | ESPN LA And Rams Analyst

The odds are already out ahead of the 2021 NFL season, with sportsbooks across the United States offering plenty of football markets. The BetRivers Sportsbook is a good example, check it out on Gamble-Illinois, where you will find a detailed review of the brand plus information on how to create an account and claim a fantastic promotion.

While many fans choose to have a wager on who they believe is going to win the Super Bowl, there are plenty of other NFL betting markets to enjoy. One of which is the National Football League Most Valuable Player Award. The MVP award is given to the player who a panel of judges believe has had the biggest impact on the NFL season. The Associated Press, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Pro Football Writers of America, and United Press International are just some of the entities to have been involved in the decision-making over the years.

In 2020, the MVP award was handed to Aaron Rodgers, for the third time in his career. The Green Bay Packers quarterback won the award for the first time since 2014, having originally been named MVP in 2011. Some of the other great names to pick up the award include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Earl Campbell.

Fast forward to 2021 and many people are already discussing their MVP candidates but one man who must be included in the conversation is Matthew Stafford. In terms of the odds, Patrick Mahomes was always going to be installed as the favorite but the Kansas City quarterback is going to receive plenty of competition, including Stafford. 

Having played for the Detroit Lions since 2009, Stafford has now made the move to the Los Angeles Rams. Despite never having been a part of a 10-win team since 2014, Stafford is behind only four other men in the betting for 2021 MVP, with Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Russell Wilson currently leading the way in the odds.

During the 2020 season, Stafford completed 64.2% of his passes for 4,084 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He had a passer rating of 96.3 and was sacked 38 times.

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However, having made the move to the Rams, Stafford will be protected by one of 2020’s better pass blocking o-lines. In addition, he will have the support of one of the league’s most efficient rushing attacks and be complemented by the likes of Cam Akers, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp.

If the Rams can produce another top-5 defensive performance again in 2021, that will see Stafford closer to the red zone more frequently than he has been during his time in Detroit. Let us not forget that Stafford led the NFL in game-winning drives in 2014, 2016, and 2017. 

There is no doubt Stafford asked for a trade away from Detroit to give him the opportunity to get to the Super Bowl. The LA Rams are a team who certainly have the capability of going all the way in 2021 and Stafford will have played a very important role in getting them there if they are successful. 

Stafford was rarely viewed as an MVP candidate during his time in Detroit but that is about to change.