Ja’Marr Chase’s NFL OROY Odds Improve to +333, Lance Struggles

By Chris Wassel in NFL Football
Published:

- 49ers quarterback Trey Lance’s odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year have slid back to +1000
- Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase becomes the new favorite to win NFL OROY
- A look at the odds for all the contenders can be found below with an analysis
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance’s odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year have lengthened back to +1000 after a poor start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Lance is the sixth choice for OROY, down from +550 before Sunday’s start.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones remains steady at +400 in the NFL OROY odds. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was second at +450 but has become the new favorite at +333.
2021 NFL OROY Odds
Player | Odds |
---|---|
Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals) | +333 |
Mac Jones (Patriots) | +400 |
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) | +500 |
Justin Fields (Bears) | +600 |
Najee Harris (Steelers) | +800 |
Trey Lance (49ers) | +1000 |
Kyle Pitts (Falcons) | +1300 |
DeVonta Smith (Eagles) | +1500 |
Rondale Moore (Cardinals) | +1700 |
Zach Wilson (Jets) | +2200 |
Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins) | +2500 |
Michael Carter (Jets) | +2800 |
Javonte Williams (Broncos) | +3300 |
Kadarius Toney (Giants) | +4000 |
Elijah Moore (Jets) | +5000 |
Rashawn Slater (Chargers) | +5000 |
Davis Mills (Texans) | +6600 |
Trey Sermon (49ers) | +7000 |
Tylan Wallace (Ravens) | +8000 |
Terrace Marshall (Panthers) | +11000 |
Rashod Bateman (Ravens) | +15000 |
Odds as of October 11th at FOX Bet
Lance Steps Back After Sunday
Lance had all the focus on him Sunday as the San Fransisco 49ers started the rookie against the undefeated Arizona Cardinals. What most saw against the Seattle Seahawks seemed to translate to Week 5 as well. Lance had some good moments, including several good gains running. The early interception set the tone that it was going to be a long day, however. The pick made Lance somewhat more into a running quarterback.
QBs with 15+ carries in a game since 2000:
Lamar Jackson
Cam Newton
Jalen Hurts
Mike Vick
…
Trey Lance(and Tim Tebow, but couldn't put him next to those other guys. you get it)
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 11, 2021
Before Sunday’s start, Lance had just that second half against Seattle for his only extended action. The third overall pick in this year’s draft completed 9-of-18 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 41 yards on seven carries.
Arizona’s defense was able to force Lance into some tricky situations as San Francisco failed to convert some key third and fourth downs by containing the young quarterback. The result was Lance completing just 15-of-29 attempts for 192 yards and that interception. He did rush 16 times for a total of 89 yards.
QB efficiency comparison for 49ers-Arizona
SF defense made Kyler Murray average despite good accuracy.
Trey Lance is exactly where we thought he’d be right now. The raw talent and promise are there but the efficiency isn’t (and neither was help from his teammates on offense) pic.twitter.com/EBSY77ir38
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 11, 2021
The bigger problem for San Francisco and maybe NFL fans was that they expected too much out of Trey Lance initially.
Ja’Marr Chase Rises Again
The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver was phenomenal against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. He was targeted 10 times during Week 5.
Chase has been one of Joe Burrow’s main targets but Sunday was the first time he saw double-digit targets and even a spot of double coverage at times. It mattered little as Chase flashed his speed on the way to six receptions in all.
However, it seemed only a matter of time before the Bengals’ rookie was going to hit the back of the end zone. Sure enough, the deep ball connected to Chase late in the second quarter.
Every Ja’Marr Chase preseason tweet should be deleted if not done so already. He’s going OFF.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 10, 2021
It is Chase’s speed that drives opposing cornerbacks nuts. The 159 yards combined with his fifth touchdown of the season has lifted the receiver to the top of the offensive rookie class.
Just imagine when Chase completely curbs those dropped passes. They have become less problematic as the targets have climbed.
Mac Jones Bounces Back in Second Half
The former OROY favorite did not have the greatest of first halves but more than atoned for it during the second half. Mac Jones led the comeback as New England snatched victory from the brink of defeat on Sunday.
Though the Patriots were down 22-9 during the second half to the Texans, Jones showed some resolve. He completed 23-of-30 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown with one interception. That touchdown tied the game at 22.
If this throw doesn't convince Josh McDaniels to let Mac Jones throw into the end zone, nothing will. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/3j1iWeiRAd
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) October 10, 2021
Now Jones has managed to throw around 70% accuracy and over 1,200 yards on the season. He does make some erratic throws but those are lessons to be learned.
Is Lance or Chase Still Worth Betting?
Lance may get another chance in Week 7 in a primetime matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Time will tell if Jimmy Garoppolo returns by then.
Now +1000 are not bad odds to take a shot at Lance but watch next week’s action too. Chase’s +333 could still shorten as the Bengals play Detroit in Week 6 and has a little value too.


Sports Writer
A journalist veteran for over two decades, Chris has taught the gamut of fantasy hockey sports online from injuries to news to prospects, and more. He has bet on several sports and written sports betting articles about the NBA, MLB, NCAA football, the NFL, and NHL for USA Today.