King Henry vs. Saquon: Each star running back's case to win OPOY

Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet

The NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award is shaping into a two-horse race between Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.

Both star running backs are in their first season with new teams and are stuffing the stat sheets and dominating highlight reels through nine weeks.

Henry is the current betting favorite at -140 (58.3% implied probability) with Barkley second on the oddsboard at +275 (26.7% implied probability). Justin Jefferson is a distant third at +750.

Now that Henry and Barkley are pulling away from the other contenders, let's dive into each player's case to win the OPOY award with half of the regular season remaining.

Derrick Henry (-140)

The Ravens took a chance in the offseason by signing an aging (NFL-wise) Henry as he entered his age-30 season. He was coming off somewhat of a down year on a bad Titans team, only recording 1,167 yards in 17 games, with his 4.2 yards per carry the lowest of his career.

But any risk has already paid off handsomely. In fact, Henry may be having the best season of his nine-year career.

He leads the league in carries (168), yards per carry (6.5), rushing yards (1,052), and touchdowns (13). He also tops the NFL in rushes of over 10, 20, and 30 yards. Henry's 116.9 yards per game have him on pace to come within 13 yards of 2,000, and if he could reach that milestone, it would all but guarantee him OPOY honors.

Lamar Jackson is, once again, playing at an MVP-worthy level and is the co-favorite to win the third MVP trophy of his career. The 6-3 Ravens look to be true Super Bowl contenders, and the addition of Henry has this Baltimore team feeling different from the ones of years past.

While team success is considered more heavily during MVP voting, earning the top seed in the AFC certainly won't hurt Henry's chances for OPOY. If Henry continues to dominate the NFL in key rushing stats and Jackson maintains his elite play, there's a good chance we'll see two teammates win MVP and OPOY since the 2001 St. Louis Rams (Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk).

Bettors will hope that's the case. Since the season started, Henry has received 32% of the handle wagered on the OPOY market - nearly three times the amount bet on Barkley - and 10% of the total bets.

Saquon Barkley (+275)

The word "valuable" is left out of "Offensive Player of the Year," but a player's value to their team must be considered when determining the most outstanding offensive player.

Barkley has been more valuable to the Eagles than any other skill position player is to his team. Barkley's explosive rushes have single-handedly carried the Eagles to wins when the passing game has struggled.

The Ravens have the league's best total offense, while the Eagles have the sixth-best. However, Baltimore has the MVP favorite at quarterback, leading to a passing game that's as effective as its rushing attack. The team is first in rushing yards per game and third in passing yards per game.

The Eagles don't have that luxury. Philadelphia averages the second-most rushing yards per game but ranks in the league's bottom half in passing yards per game.

Without Henry, the Ravens' offense would still dominate. Without Barkley, the Eagles' season would be in the gutter, Nick Sirianni would have already been fired, and Jalen Hurts' future would be questioned.

Henry's counting stats are greater than Barkley's, but the Eagles have only played eight games, while the Ravens have played nine. That margin will shrink following Henry's bye in Week 14. Henry averages slightly more rushing yards (116.9) than Barkley (115.6), but Barkley's featured more as a pass-catcher, doubling Henry's total receptions.

The two running backs' stats will be similar if they continue on this trajectory, and there's no sign of either slowing down. But Barkley means more to his team than Henry does. Voters should see that by the time the season concludes.