The NFL MVP Race Week 6 has taken a fascinating turn, with several star quarterbacks separating themselves from the pack as the season nears its midpoint. With one-third of the schedule now complete, the battle for the league’s most prestigious individual award is heating up. From Baker Mayfield’s resurgence to Patrick Mahomes’ familiar dominance, here’s a look at the top five MVP candidates six weeks into the season.
1. Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the modern fairytales in the NFL, Baker Mayfield has gone from being passed off from franchise to franchise to leading the MVP race as the season reaches its midpoint. The numbers are all there—12 total touchdowns, just one interception, and nearly 1,700 yards of offense.
But the real story lies in how he’s done it: four fourth-quarter game-winning drives and a level of composure that has transformed the Buccaneers into legitimate contenders despite injuries all around him. Baker Mayfield, your MVP six weeks into the season.
2. Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
Who would have thought? Just three weeks ago, Patrick Mahomes had a passer rating in the 80s with only three passing touchdowns. Since then, he’s caught fire—posting 10 total touchdowns and just one turnover over his last three games.
Now boasting 15 total touchdowns and 1,736 total yards, Mahomes once again leads the league in both categories. He may not be the MVP yet, but his steady climb back to elite form proves one thing: you can never count him out.
3. Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
The reigning MVP is now at a stage in his career where the regular season still matters, but the true test is in January. That hasn’t stopped Josh Allen from producing elite numbers again—over 1,500 total yards and 14 touchdowns through six weeks.
Back-to-back losses to the Patriots and Falcons, where he committed multiple turnovers, have cooled his case slightly. Still, with the Bills in contention for the AFC’s top seed, Allen remains firmly in the hunt for his second straight MVP.
4. Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams
After a noisy offseason filled with contract talks and health concerns, few expected Matthew Stafford to look this sharp. At 37 years old, he’s delivering vintage form—12 passing touchdowns and nearly 1,700 yards, leading all quarterbacks in passing yards this season.
Stafford’s resurgence has powered the Rams to a 4-2 start, proving once again that when he’s healthy and confident, there are few better pure passers in football.
5. Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys
When Micah Parsons departed the Cowboys amid another Jerry Jones soap opera, most wrote off Dallas. Their defense has been one of the league’s worst, but Dak Prescott has refused to let the team crumble.
Through six games, Prescott has produced 14 total touchdowns, over 1,600 yards, and holds a 104.6 passer rating. The Cowboys’ 2–3–1 record keeps him from climbing higher, but his individual brilliance is undeniable. Like Joe Burrow last year, Dak is carrying his team as far as he possibly can.
Conclusion
As Week 6 wraps up, Baker Mayfield’s redemption arc currently leads the NFL MVP race, while Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, and Dak Prescott remain close behind. With plenty of football still to be played, the MVP battle is intensifying — and this year’s race could go right down to the wire.
Main Photo: [Jonathan Dyer] – Imagn Images
