After Impressive Debut, Clyde Edwards-Helaire Is Now Favored to Win NFL OROY

• Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is now favored to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year at odds of +175
• Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, the previous chalk, is now second at +300
• Edwards-Helaire rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown in KC’s season-opening 34-20 win over the Houston Texans

Clyde Edwards-Helaire stepped out with the big boys for the first time on Thursday. The Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back not only proved he belonged, he flat-out dominated.

Edwards-Helaire rambled for 138 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs crushed the Houston Texans, 34-20. In the process, he also raced to the front of the class in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds.

The Chiefs runner is now offered at odds of +175. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow, the top player chosen in the 2020 NFL Draft, dropped to second in the NFL OROY odds at +300.

2020 NFL OROY Odds

Odds as of Sept. 11th.

Prior to Thursday’s game, Burrow was the chalk at an average of +264. Edwards-Helaire was second at +290.

Fresh Prince of Edwards-Helaire

Football people projected that the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs got themselves a steal when they grabbed Edwards-Helaire from LSU with the last pick of the first round in the 2020 draft.

Here’s a look at the first touchdown run of Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s NFL career. A 27-yard run. #LSU
pic.twitter.com/CveLaqFwkX

— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) September 11, 2020

He’s a dynamic runner who can also catch passes out of the backfield, something he wasn’t called upon to do once in Thursday’s opener. When Damien Williams, the Chiefs’ top rusher last season, opted out of the season, Edwards-Helaire moved atop the depth chart.

During his debut, Edwards-Helaire displayed the ability to utilize his speed and footwork to leave defenders clutching air as he burst past them. He also showed that, when the situation demanded it, he possesses the physical tools to power through would-be tacklers.

Trending in the Right Direction

Edwards-Helaire became only the tenth running back in the history of the NFL to gain at least 100 yards on the ground and score a rushing TD in his first career game. The last running back to accomplish this was Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, the 2018 NFL OROY.

In fact, the last three runners to do so all either won OROY or led the league in rushing.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the youngest player in NFL history with 130+ rush yards and a rush TD in an NFL debut (21 years, 152 days). pic.twitter.com/fCQhl8WSN3

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 11, 2020

“CEH” is also just the third runner since 1950 to carry the ball 25 times and go for a minimum of 138 yards rushing. The previous, Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams, was the 2005 NFL OROY.

Edwards-Helaire played 66% of KC’s offensive snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, he forced seven missed tackles on running plays. That’s tied for the best ever from a rookie RB in Week 1 of the NFL season.

A Rookie Sensation

Kansas City looks to have adjusted its offensive scheme in order to take advantage of Edwards-Helaire’s unique talents.

The Chiefs ran the ball 34 times during Thursday’s win. Last season, while winning the Super Bowl, KC never ran the ball 30 times in any regular-season or postseason game.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire couldn’t stop breaking tackles last night 👀 @Clydro_22 @Chiefs pic.twitter.com/4yUCewoher

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 11, 2020

The last time they did so was during the 2018 NFL Divisional Round playoffs against the Colts. In regular-season play, it had been 20 games since it happened.

While Burrow is at the helm of the rebuilding Bengals, Edwards-Helaire plays for one of the league’s best offenses. If he continues to play a starring role, the NFL OROY race will be a runaway for him.

Pick: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (+175)