Is There Value on Baker Mayfield for OROY as he Heads into Cincinnati Week 12?

Updated: November 18, 2025

• Bovada sees the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as a two-horse race between Saquon Barkley and Baker Mayfield
• Mayfield leads all rookie QBs in passing yardage (1,984) 
• Barkley leads all rookie RBs in rushing yardage (728)

Baker Mayfield is thriving under the new leadership of the Cleveland Browns.

Since head coach Hue Jackson was handed his walking papers, Mayfield has enjoyed two of the best games of his NFL career under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.

Baker Mayfield's last two games: 46-of-62, 513 yards, 5 TDs and an INT. He's only been sacked twice.

— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) November 11, 2018

It was enough to move 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick Mayfield strongly into the conversation for the NFL's offensive rookie of the year.

Evaluating Other Rookie Contenders

Nick Chubb has turned heads since his increased workload. He posted standout rushing performances, including a 92-yard TD run against the Falcons. His skills add a powerful dimension to the Browns' rushing game.

Phillip Lindsay has been a revelation for the Broncos. He provides consistent production as an undrafted rookie. His quick footwork and ability to find gaps in defenses stand out.

Calvin Ridley, emerging as a key target for the Falcons, showed strong chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan. His knack for finding the end zone is a valuable asset to Atlanta's passing attack.

Odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

*See Bovada's NFL futures section for other contenders. 

Barkley, the odds-on favorite since the preseason, is still in the driver's seat, but Mayfield looms larger in his rear-view mirror with each passing week.

Comparison of Mayfield's and Barkley's Team Impacts

Mayfield's influence on the Browns extends beyond his passing stats. His leadership has sparked a change in team spirit and energy.

Since he took on a starting role, the Browns saw a boost in offensive production. They broke a 19-game winless streak.

By contrast, Barkley's effect on the Giants is more versatile. He contributes as both a runner and a receiver. The Giants' offensive strategy is reshaped by his skills. They rely heavily on his explosive plays to stay competitive.

Is Baker Concocting a Winning Recipe?

Mayfield is growing stronger and more confident as the season progresses and it shows in his numbers and his swagger.

He's thrown nearly twice as many touchdown passes (13) as interceptions (seven), tossing for nine TDs in his past four games.

“When I woke up this morning, I was feeling pretty dangerous” – @bakermayfield

(via @Browns)pic.twitter.com/f0oXV6pP01

— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) November 11, 2018

In his most recent start, the Browns QB threw for a career-best three TDs in a 28-16 win over Atlanta. Mayfield leads all rookie passers in yardage (1,984), TD passes, completions (176), yards per game (248.0) and passer rating (85.7).

Can He Surpass Barkley?

Barkley tops all rookie rushers with 728 yards and seven TDs, and is coming off the best game of his NFL career, a 142-yard performance against Tampa Bay, along with three TDs -two on the ground and one through the air.

That's just it – Barkley is more than a runner.

.@saquon found the end zone three times in Week 11! #GiantsPride #HaveADay#TBvsNYG pic.twitter.com/wXuxegTJ7J

— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2018

He has 64 receptions for 540 yards and three TDs.

Barkley is on pace to become just the third rookie rusher in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Barkley could even challenge Eric Dickerson's NFL rookie record of 2,212 yards from scrimmage.

Breakdown of Recent Performances

In Week 11, Mayfield led the Browns to victory against the Falcons. He threw a career-high three touchdowns. His accuracy and poise in the pocket were impressive.

Meanwhile, Barkley delivered a standout performance against Tampa Bay. He totaled 142 yards and three touchdowns. His ability to break tackles and gain yardage after contact was evident.

This game highlighted his all-around talent and solidified his role as a dual-threat.

It's Saquon's To Lose

As much as Mayfield is trending upward, Barkley isn't fading in the least. The Giants revamped their offensive scheme to accentuate his unique skill set.

The first of many! @saquon is the Week 11 NFC Offensive Player of the Week. #GiantsPride

— New York Giants (@Giants) November 21, 2018

Recent history is also on Barkley's side. Two of the last three and three of the last five NFL OROY were running backs. Just one of those five winners was a quarterback – Dak Prescott of Dallas in 2016, after he led the Cowboys to the postseason.

If this were the 1978 Triple Crown, Barkley would be Affirmed and Mayfield Alydar. Yes, he will be a close second . . . but he'll still be second best.

The post Is There Value on Baker Mayfield for OROY as he Heads into Cincinnati Week 12? appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

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