Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill continues his journey towards a potentially historic 2,000 receiving yard season as he surpassed 1,000 yards on the season during the Dolphins 31-17 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Hill became the first player to do so this season and the 4th in league history to record 1,000 receiving yards through his team’s first eight games when he hauled in a 42-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
“It feels great. God is great. I’ve been calling my shot since I came in this league,” Hill said, according to ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. “A lot of people doubted me, saying I couldn’t do this and do that, but it’s all about believing in yourself.”
Hill was efficient in beating the press coverages that the Patriots employed throughout the game.
“I think with how [Patriots] coach [Bill] Belichick plays his guys, it is a little different because it’s not necessarily [the cornerback] I’m looking at, it’s more so the guys on the top end who have to cover someone like Tyreek,” Tagovailoa said.
“When Tyreek’s pressed, I think everyone in here would probably agree it’s not a good idea to not have someone over the top of him. So, the way Coach Belichick played it, I think, was to try to take that off of Tyreek. But with a lot of our back-turned actions … it makes it tough for the safety because he also has a run fit responsibility — but he also has to help with [Tyreek]. So outside leverage with J.C., [Mapu is] inside leverage and if you don’t get a hit on Tyreek, the timing of it makes it tough.”
Currently, Hill is on pace for 2,155 receiving yard this season which would set an NFL record and also make Hill the first 2,000-yard receiver in league history.
With the victory, the Dolphin moved to 6-2 on the season and now will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Frankfurt, Germany in Week 9 as part of the NFL’s International Series. Hill will face his former team for the first time since they traded him to Miami last offseason.
“I’m ready, man. It’s just another game. I’m just excited to play against my old brothers,” Hill said of the impending matchup. “It’s just like if you’re in high school and you move to a different city, it’s still ball. At the end of the day, my job is to go out there and do what I’ve been doing all year, and that’s have fun, help lead this team and create opportunities for whoever. I’m still going to be the same old Cheetah, baby.”
