The MVP race just got messy. Week 11 delivered chaos, and the hierarchy shifted again. Drake Maye still holds the top spot with a massive win streak. Josh Allen exploded back into contention. Matthew Stafford keeps stacking wins. And Jonathan Taylor remains the only running back to crash a quarterback-only party.

With half of November down in the books, every snap carries MVP weight, along with a season hanging in the balance. Here’s the EssentiallySports Week 12 MVP ladder, a fresh look at the top 5 candidates for NFL supremacy, and a few others fighting for relevance just beyond.

5. Patrick Mahomes: Slipping, but still in the running

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has remained in the 5th spot for another week on our ladder. The signature Patrick Mahomes magic flickered in Denver, but it never fully ignited. Mahomes managed just one touchdown against the Denver Broncos’ relentless defense in Week 11, and a drive-killing pick reminded everyone that even the 3x Super Bowl champ can be rattled. Against a Denver front that came hunting throughout the contest, Week 11 became the fourth game where the O-line has allowed three sacks on Mahomes.

Still third in QBR (72.7) despite the Chiefs’ 5-5 record, Mahomes faces a fascinating subplot heading into the Week 12 Colts matchup. He’s never beaten Indianapolis. He’s 0-2 against them in his NFL journey. For a player who has conquered almost every challenge in his career, this statistical oddity looms large as Kansas City battles to stay relevant in a three-horse AFC West race.

4. Jonathan Taylor: Rested up and ready to go

Sometimes the best thing an MVP candidate can do is rest. Jonathan Taylor didn’t slip during the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 11 bye; he simply sharpened his weapons for the battles ahead. He still leads the league in rushing yards (1,139) and rushing touchdowns (15), and he didn’t even play this week. His 244-yard, three-touchdown explosion in Berlin still echoes across the league.

The stage is set for his return: a Week 12 showdown against Kansas City. If Taylor wants to climb higher on this ladder, there’s no better platform than dismantling the Chiefs’ defense in prime time. The question isn’t whether he can produce another historic performance; it’s whether voters will finally give a running back the recognition he deserves.

3. Josh Allen: Back in business

One spectacular game, and suddenly the conversation shifts again. Josh Allen didn’t just bounce back from his Miami nightmare; he delivered a statement performance that screamed MVP once again. Six total touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: three through the air, three on the ground. Allen has now become the only quarterback in NFL history to pull off this feat twice in his career. (Otto Graham did it just once in 1954).

But this wasn’t just about numbers. Allen overcame two early turnovers to write a masterclass in resilience. One highlight? With Tampa Bay’s defense closing in on a 3rd-and-3, Allen danced in the pocket before launching a 43-yard missile to Tyrell Shavers. This throw marked Allen’s first touchdown pass of 40+ air yards since his 2022 campaign. The Buffalo Bills are 7-3, and their quarterback just reminded the league that he’s still the ultimate problem solver.

2. Matthew Stafford: Another week, another win

The 8-2 Los Angeles Rams’ 37-year-old quarterback continues to author his late-career renaissance. Matthew Stafford still leads the league in touchdown passes (27), and his season tally of just two picks speaks to surgical precision. His Week 11 performance against Seattle wasn’t flashy (15-of-28 for 130 yards and two TDs), but it was effective enough to secure a 21-19 victory.

This is what vintage Stafford looks like: steady, smart, and situationally brilliant. Los Angeles doesn’t need him to throw for 400 yards every week. They need him to protect the ball, move the chains, and deliver in crucial moments. And that’s exactly what he’s doing. Alongside a solid defense, Stafford has become the reason why the Rams remain the cream of the NFC West and legitimate contenders in a stacked conference.

1. Drake Maye: Leading by example

At 9-2 with an eight-game winning streak, Drake Maye has transformed the New England Patriots’ entire trajectory. The 23-year-old sophomore now leads the league in passing yards (2,836) and ranks second in QBR (73.2). His Week 11 performance against the New York Jets showed he still has the poise that made him the betting favorite for MVP. His receivers just need to not miss catches at this point.

What separates Maye isn’t just statistical excellence. It’s how he manufactures wins. Seven of New England’s nine victories featured fourth-quarter comebacks by Maye. Only one touchdown in his last game, but it doesn’t matter. The Patriots keep winning, and Drake Maye keeps finding ways to make it happen. That’s the signature of an MVP: turning good moments into great ones, and great ones into victories.

On the cusp, but struggling

Sam Darnold’s fall from fourth last week to the fringe of this week was swift and merciless. Four interceptions and zero touchdowns against the Rams’ secondary exposed vulnerabilities that had been lurking beneath the Seattle Seahawks’ 7-3 record. He tossed the ball a season-high 44 times, but to no avail. The win streak is broken, and now he needs to work on throws to get back on the path to quiet dominance.

Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions couldn’t hold off the Philadelphia Eagles in a crucial NFC showdown, but head coach Dan Campbell’s aggressive play-calling had something to do with that. Still, Goff is going up against a depleted New York Giants next. With a Week 12 win and a few more good games beyond, he could still shoot up the rankings.

Lamar Jackson looked a little lost in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns’ defense. Hanging by a thread, it almost felt like the Baltimore Ravens would let this one slip away. But the Browns’ quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, got injured. In his place, Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL start showed inexperience on the gridiron, and a late-game surge secured the Ravens’ victory. Jackson could still show his dual threat in the coming weeks, but he has his work cut out for him if he wants to climb up to the top 5 now.

The MVP race is tighter now, and it’s never been more unpredictable. Drake Maye leads, but his grip isn’t exactly ironclad anymore. Josh Allen’s resurgence changes everything. Matthew Stafford’s consistency threatens to outlast flashier competitors. Jonathan Taylor’s dominance forces a long-overdue conversation about position bias. December is rolling in fast, and every throw, every yard, every win rewrites the narrative. The only guarantee? This race is solidifying, but it’s far from over.