Chubb Favored To Win NFL’s Rushing Title But McCaffrey, Henry Not Far Behind

By BetOnline December 13, 2019

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Ezekiel Elliott is last year’s rushing champ but with him out of the picture for the lead in 2019, it means that we’ll complete the decade with no player winning this title in back-to-back seasons. Nick Chubb is currently the leader in the clubhouse with 1,281 rushing yards but Derrick Henry has 1,243 and Christian McCaffrey has 1,220. Three players are separated by 61 yards. We now have lines up for the NFL’s rushing leader prop, so let’s take a closer look at who will win.

NICK CHUBB, CLEVELAND BROWNS
RUSHING LEADER ODDS: +175

The Cleveland Browns’ running back has a slight yardage lead but when determining who is most likely to win the rushing title, the key will be to examine the remaining schedules.

The Browns’ three remaining opponents are the Arizona Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens will be trying to seal the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs, which would enable them to host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Chubb should get smothered in that game. However, Arizona and Cincinnati in the other two games give Chubb a great chance to rack up big stats. The Bengals have the worst run defense in the NFL (156.8 rushing yards per game allowed) while the Cardinals rank 24th (giving up 120.5 rushing yards per game). These are a couple of great matchups for Chubb.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, CAROLINA PANTHERS
RUSHING LEADER ODDS: +225

McCaffrey was an MVP candidate early on in the season but like the Carolina Panthers, he’s faded of late. He’s been held to 70 yards or less in four straight weeks.

Taking a look at his remaining schedule, it’s a mixed bag. He faces the Seattle Seahawks, then the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. The Seahawks are coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Rams and figure to be angry. Indianapolis has spiraled downward and with Houston and Tennessee meeting in Week 15, will probably be out of playoff contention when Week 16 arrives. The Colts might not be very motivated or inspired at that point in time. In Week 17, the Saints will very likely be playing for home-field advantage or a first-round playoff bye, or both, so that game will be tough sledding for McCaffrey. He has one really good game, one very tough game, and one game in which he might have good stats but more as a receiver than as a rusher.

Overall, though, with the Panthers struggling – especially quarterback Kyle Allen – it’s hard to expect big things from McCaffrey.

DERRICK HENRY, TENNESSEE TITANS
RUSHING LEADER ODDS: +225

Derrick Henry clearly got the short end of the stick with his remaining schedule. He has to play the Houston Texans twice in the middle of the AFC South Division race to the finish line, and he has to play the New Orleans Saints, who are pursuing home-field advantage and a first-round bye in the NFC. That is clearly the toughest finishing stretch of any player.

The other factor here is that Henry was hurt last week against the Oakland Raiders and didn’t finish the game. He’s going to play this week but he’s clearly at less than 100% as he’s dealing with a hamstring injury. That could be enough of a factor to keep him from the title.