Patrick Mahomes has dazzled NFL audiences with no-look passes, left-handed throws and stellar performances in his first full season as a starter. The dynamic Mahomes has the Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) leading the AFC, and he is earning top honors. 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. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who recently had his Hall of Fame worthiness questioned by New Orleans defensive lineman Cameron Jordan, was voted 10th. The rankings: 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Drew Brees, Saints 3. Philip Rivers, Chargers 4. Andrew Luck, Colts 5. Tom Brady, Patriots 6. Russell Wilson, Seahawks 7. Aaron Rodgers, Packers 8. Jared Goff, Rams 9. Deshaun Watson, Texans 10. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers “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,� New York-based Dennis Waszak Jr. said. Mahomes has 45 touchdown passes and a chance to become the third player to reach 50. Peyton Manning set the single-season record with 55 TDs in 2013. Tom Brady had 50 in ‘07. “The poster boy for wild creativity in the wide-open offensive environment that pervades the NFL, 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, is having a sensational season. He already broke Manning’s record for career yards passing and surpassed Brett Favre’s mark for most completions. He is 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. The Steelers play at New Orleans on Sunday. “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, 38, is having perhaps his finest season and has the Los Angeles Chargers (11-3) back in the playoffs with a chance to surpass the Chiefs for the top spot. “One of his generation’s most underappreciated players has finally begun to get the praise deserved for the Bolts’ 11-wins-and-counting surge,� Minnesota-based Dave Campbell said. Andrew Luck missed the 2017 season but has returned to help the Indianapolis Colts get back into the playoff chase. “He’s back and so are the Colts. Wonder if Josh McDaniels has any regrets about reneging on that gig now,� said Denver-based Arnie Stapleton. Brady finished fifth in the poll after placing first in September. Roethlisberger, whose Steelers are 8-5-1, has thrown for 4,462 yards, 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season. Only 13 quarterbacks received votes. Matt Ryan was named on six ballots, Baker Mayfield was on three and Carson Wentz, who finished third in NFL MVP voting last season, made one list.