NFL MVP debate: Matthew Stafford vs. Drake Maye, final verdict from CBS Sports

Embrace debate, they say. OK, here goes.

A year after the Josh Allen-Lamar Jackson MVP discourse raged on into the postseason before delivering Allen the MVP in the closest vote in more than two decades, we are in a similar spot with Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye neck-and-neck.

Tensions are high across every community, from experts to casual fans, as stats are flung around the spectrum, from simple to advanced, with ill intent and reckless abandon, typical of how information is shared these days. The discourse ranges from "Drake Maye didn't play anyone," to "Drake Maye actually played better defenses than Stafford." Or, "oldheads want to give Stafford a lifetime achievement award," and he was "padding stats."

There's a lot of BS being flung around. Consider this piece a final verdict from our NFL staff at CBS Sports -- providing clarity on two amazing seasons from deserving MVP candidates, busting a few myths -- and myths about myths going around, too!