Jalen Hurts’ NFL OROY Odds Improve to +2500 After Wentz Struggles in Week 1 – Could the Rookie See the Field?
- Jalen Hurts’ odds of winning the 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year have shortened significantly after the Eagles Week 1 loss
- Carson Wentz was sacked eight times and threw two key interceptions during the second half meltdown
- Does Hurts have any legitimate shot at seeing the field for the Eagles this year? See his OROY odds below
Jalen Hurts has not even stepped on the field in an NFL game yet, but his odds to win the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year award are already improving.
Carson Wentz struggled mightily on Sunday, and now the Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback’s NFL OROY odds are +2500.
Prior to the Eagles’ season-opening 27-17 loss to the Washington Football Team, Hurts’ odds were +6625.
Jalen Hurts NFL OROY Odds Movement
| Player | Odds Before Week 1 | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Hurts | +6625 | +2500 |
Poor Week 1 Performance for Wentz
So how exactly did Hurts’ odds shorten so much when all he had done so far is hold a clipboard in his nascent career? Well, much of it has to do with starting quarterback Carson Wentz’s performance in Week 1.
Wentz completed just 24 of 42 passes for 270 yards. While he threw two touchdowns passes, he was also intercepted twice and sacked eight times behind a patchwork line.
The @WashingtonNFL defense had themselves a strong opening day. 💪 pic.twitter.com/jUVdOIiGhz
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 13, 2020
The Eagles, who were 5.5-point favorites, also squandered a 17-0 lead they built with seven minutes remaining in the second quarter. While the defense is partially to blame for Washington scoring the game’s final 27 points, Wentz also played a big role.
Holding the 17-point lead and with a first down at their 28-yard line with 1:44 left in the first half, the Eagles opted not to play it safe. Wentz was then intercepted by Fabian Moreau at the Philadelphia 45.
That set up a Washington touchdown with 43 seconds remaining.
Another Wentz interception on the Eagles’ first possession of the second half led to another Washington touchdown, cutting the lead to 17-14. The momentum had clearly shifted at that point and the Eagles never got it back.
Depleted Offense in Philadelphia
In fairness, it is hard to put all the blame on Wentz for the upset loss.
Standout tight end Zach Ertz dropped a pivotal fourth-down pass in the second half. Furthermore, the Eagles’ offense was depleted by injuries.
😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/9FZ6gqyekK
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) September 13, 2020
Running back Miles Sanders did not play because of a strained hamstring and was sorely missed. Boston Scott took over as the primary back and had nine carries for 35 yards and two receptions for 19 yards.
During warmups, the Eagles learned that standout right tackle Lane Johnson was unable to play as he continues to recover from ankle surgery.
That caused rookie Jack Driscoll to move from right guard and right tackle. Nate Herbig, who made the team as an undrafted free agent last year, started at right guard.
HBK #PHIvsWAS@budlight | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/SD61AdaOkL
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 13, 2020
Compounding matters, Driscoll sustained an undisclosed injury in the second half. Jordan Mailata, also making his NFL debut, was forced into action at right tackle – hence the eight sacks.
Wentz is Entrenched for Better or Worse
A case could be made that the Eagles could benefit from having a more mobile quarterback such as Hurts running their offense behind a patchwork line.
Hurts, who was selected in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft, has the pedigree of being the Heisman Trophy runner-up last season at Oklahoma.
However, it difficult to imagine the Eagles being ready to switch to Hurts from Wentz after one game.
For one, Wentz was not playing a full complement of players on offense. Secondly, the Eagles have made a significant commitment to the player they drafted second overall in 2016.
Carson Wentz under pressure:
➤ 20 dropbacks (most)
➤ Sacked 8 times (most) pic.twitter.com/IS27gxdEVQ— PFF (@PFF) September 14, 2020
The Eagles signed Wentz to a four-year, $128-million contract extension in 2019 and he led them to the playoffs last season. Furthermore, he has $35 million guaranteed on that deal.
It also helps Wentz’s case that he has a big believer in coach Doug Pederson, a former NFL quarterback.
So, even though the oddsmakers feel change might be afoot in Philadelphia, betting on Hurts to win OROY does not seem like a wise investment.
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
