Especially after Monday's decisive win over the 49ers, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is considered one of the top contenders for this year's MVP award.
But one of the league's prominent defensive coordinators thinks his upcoming opposing quarterback is also worth considering.
Giants DC Wink Martindale said in his press conference on Thursday that Rams QB Matthew Stafford should be part of the MVP conversation.
“I think Stafford is playing at a Hall of Fame level and every team, we've talked about it here, every team has done well and they've mastered offensively. I think that Matthew – I mean, he makes throws that make you just sit there and say, 'Wow,'” Martindale said. “From all different arm angles, no looks, all the things you've heard about, you see him doing it and they're playing at a very high level.
Martindale added that Rams head coach Sean McVay has committed to the run game, which has made the offense a “two-headed monster” when it comes to beating people through the ground or through the air.
“So they put you in a bind of what you want to try and how you want to do it, but Stafford plays unreal,” Martindale said. “I mean, he's a great football player, but I think that him and Lamar [Jackson] should be considered for MVP candidate. This is the year he's in and they've scored over 30 points a game since you talked about it [since their bye].”
The Rams are 5-1 since their break in Week 10 and have now put themselves in position to make the postseason as the No. 6 seed in the NFC. While he missed one game this year with a thumb injury, Stafford has completed 62 percent of his throws for 3,648 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
We'll see how Stafford can increase those numbers on Sunday against New York.