Writers vote Mahomes best quarterback

Patrick Mahomes has dazzled NFL audiences with no-look passes, left-handed throws and stellar performances in just his first full season as a starter.

The dynamic Mahomes has the Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) leading the AFC.

Mahomes squeaked past Drew Brees as the NFL’s top quarterback in 2018 in voting released Friday by a panel of 10 football writers for The Associated Press. Mahomes received six first-place votes, three seconds and one third. Brees got the other four first-place votes.

“When Mahomes got off to a ridiculously good start, many wondered if he could keep up that pace. The answer has been a resounding yes, and the Chiefs gunslinger has shown no sign of slowing,” said New York-based Dennis Waszak Jr.

Mahomes has 45 touchdown passes and a chance to become just the third player to reach 50 in a season (Peyton Manning, 55 TD; Tom Brady, 50).

“Mahomes has that star quality teams crave,” said New York-based Barry Wilner, who put Mahomes third behind Brees and Philip Rivers. “He also has the talent they desperately need to succeed.”

Brees, at age 39, broke Manning ’s record for career yards passing and surpassed Brett Favre’s mark for most completions. He’s on pace to break his own record for highest completion percentage in a season, and he has the New Orleans Saints (12-2) on the verge of securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

“He’s taken his game to another level this year, posting some of the best marks of a brilliant career,” San Francisco-based Josh Dubow said.

Rivers was third in voting. The 38-year-old has the L.A. Chargers (11-3) back in the playoffs.

Rounding out the top 10 are: Andrew Luck, Colts; Brady, Patriots; Russell Wilson, Seahawks; Aaron Rodgers, Packers; Jared Goff, Rams; Deshaun Watson, Texans; and Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers.