2018 NFL MVP Odds: Patrick Mahomes Remains Favorite Over Drew Brees

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, remains the favorite over New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, to win the NFL MVP award with just one week remaining in the 2018 season.

The two quarterbacks have been the main candidates for the award this year with Mahomes being the frontrunner from the start of the season, before Brees became the favorite in November, after some impressive performances for New Orleans.

However, Mahomes became the favorite once again earlier this month and oddsmakers believe the award is all, but his as according to the latest from Bovada, his odds of winning are now at -230. Brees, meanwhile, still has a chance, but has +145 odds compared to his -210 odds from last month.

Both players are deserving of the award but many feel Mahomes edges Brees as the winner.

For one, the 23-year-old, notably playing in his first full season as a starter, has the most touchdown passes (48) this season with the next best being Andrew Luck's 36. That tally is already the third all-time total touchdowns scored in a season behind the likes of Peyton Manning (55) and Tom Brady (50). He will likely pass the latter soon.

Mahomes also leads the league in passing yards with 4,915 and has a slight lead over Brees (81.2) with a quarterback rating of 81.5. The Chiefs certainly believe he's the deserving winner as they compiled a video staking his claim.

Mahomes was shown the video by his mother and while he appreciated it, he's only focused on the Oakland Raiders, where a win for Kansas this weekend would see them become AFC West champions.

"My mom’s in town, so she for sure showed me as quick as she could," Mahomes said during his Wednesday press conference. "It’s awesome. Those guys did a great job with the video. I thought it was really cool. But for me, it’s all about these next few games, play-by-play this next game against the Raiders and then hopefully get to keep it rolling."

"... It’s special for anyone to get that award or even be mentioned in that award, but at the same time it’s a team game. It’s about the team and everybody around you, and you can’t do it by yourself. I’m grateful that I’m on a great team that I can go out there every single week and try to win as many football games as possible," he added.

Brees, meanwhile at 39, has helped the Saints seal the No. 1 seed with a 13-2 record. He also leads the NFL in passer rating with 115.7, produced seven game winning drives compared to Mahomes' two, has 32 touchdown passes and has thrown for 3,992 yards with just five interceptions. It just might not be enough.

Below are the full odds from Bovada:

• Patrick Mahomes -230
• Drew Brees +145
• Philip Rivers +2500
• Andrew Luck +5000
• Russell Wilson +5000

Voting will take place in the period between the end of the season and before the playoffs begin. The winner will be announced a day before the Super Bowl which takes place Feb. 3 next year.