In July, Tyreek Hill guaranteed he would have 2,000 receiving yards this season. How likely is he to make that guarantee a reality?
Tyreek Hill Looking For 2,000 Receiving Yards in A Season
Given that he had 1,710 yards last season, making good on his somewhat bold statement seems like a no-brainer. Though guarantees cannot be predicted or confirmed until they occur (See Joe Namath), the only thing that can be evaluated is Hill’s small body of work this season.
Over three games so far, Hill has 412 yards. That averages to 137.33 per game. If Hill were to continue to match this average for each of the 14 remaining regular season games, he’d actually go over 2,300 receiving yards. Numbers can be deceiving. Hill had a 215-yard, 11-reception game against the Chargers. He was targeted 15 times and two of his 11 receptions went for touchdowns. Against, New England, however, Hill saw his targets drop to nine, making good on five of those targets for only 40 yards, but did have a touchdown. And, obviously, the Dolphins will not be scoring 70 points every single week.
Why Tyreek Hill Will Make Good on His Guarantee
Again, Hill had 1,710 yards last season, so the 2,000 mark is realistically within reach. Hill can go off for big games, including for over 200 yards like he did in the Dolphins win over the Chargers. If history is any indicator of what Hill has the potential to do in the remaining 14 games of the season, his 40-yard performance against the Patriots is higher than two of his 2022 game totals. Hill had 33 yards receiving against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 of the 2022 regular season. Hill had his lowest yard total in Week 18 against the New York Jets where he only had 23 yards. It is important to point out that in that Week 18 game, Skylar Thompson was the starter and Miami may have decided not to try to throw the ball Hill’s way, especially if he was in double coverage.
Why Tyreek Hill Will Not Make Good on His Guarantee
It is a long season, and though one of the toughest players in the league, Hill has already been seen having to take a play or two off, usually limping to the sideline. After each catch, Dolphins fans hold their breath hoping Hill gets up. Injuries aside, Hill being able to deliver on his promise, is also out of his control. In the game against the Patriots, New England took him out as a passing option. The Dolphins had to adjust by going to the run game, mainly to Raheem Mostert. In other words, the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa went from airing the ball out in game one to having to keep the ball on the ground in game two. If the goal is to win the Super Bowl, then Hill has to understand his guarantee means nothing unless the Dolphins are hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come February.
Tyreek Hill has guaranteed that he will be the first NFL receiver to ever record 2,000 receiving yards in a season. While off to a good start, some of the variables that could prevent Hill from eclipsing the 2,000-yard mark are out of his control; whether the Dolphins have to go to the run game to win. After having 1,710 yards last season, Hill does not seem far off from his guarantee. However, even though he’s on pace to reach that goal in 2023, it’s only three games. While he could keep this insane pace, his guarantee does not and should not usurp the Miami Dolphins objective of winning the Super Bowl.
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The post Tyreek Hill’s Pursuit Of Near-Impossible Receiving Record appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.