By Nick Catlin

Half way through the NFL season, two high-profile players have stood above all other competition for MVP- Kansas City’s rising-star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and dual-threat running back Los Angeles Rams running backTodd Gurley. Another potential contender and dark horse pick nearly 40-year-old News Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Columnist Nick Catlin digs deeper on the pack vying for NFL MVP:

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs QB

Week 8 vs. Denver: 24-34, 303 yards and 4 Touchdowns, 1 interception

Through eight games, Mahomes has led the Chiefs to an 7-1 record, with the No.1 seed going into their week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes currently has 26 passing touchdowns (28 total) with 2645 total yards and 6 interceptions. Three primetime games played this season influences the hype surrounding the 23-year-old. However, Mahomes has thrown 6 interceptions in his last four games after not throwing any through his first five career starts. Half way through the year, he is on pace for 52 passing touchdowns and 5,052 yards.

Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams RB

Week 8 vs. Green Bay: 195 total yards and 1 Touchdown

The 8-0 Rams are undefeated halfway through the season and are widely considered the best team in football. Gurley has 15 touchdowns with 1151 total yards halfway through the regular season. He missed out on the MVP last year despite gaining over 2100 total yards and scoring 19 touchdowns. Running bacs k have struggled to win the MVP since its origin in 1957. Only 17 running backs have won the MVP, compared to the 41 times a quarterback has won the award. Gurley is on pace for 30 total touchdowns with 2302 total yards, which would undoubtably win him MVP, but will be difficult to continue to keep up over the second half of the year as they play at the NFC South division-leading New Orleans Saints.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB

Week 8 vs. Minnesota: 18-23, 120 passing yards and 1 touchdown, 1 interception

After his worst performance of the season so far, Brees is on the outskirts looking in on the MVP race. But, over the course of the season, he has proven to be in the conversation with not only team play but his individual play as well. Through seven games played, the Saints are 6-1 and are competing with the Rams for the No.1 seed in the playoffs. While only throwing 2 touchdowns per game isn’t comparable to Mahomes now, Brees only has thrown one interception to his six interceptions. he and Gurley will have a head-to-head matchup that will not only be important for MVP race, but for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Edited by Garrett Jones | gcjh23@mail.missouri.edu