Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bruised 'Cheetah' chasing history with Justin Jefferson

By Ryan Sharp | Last updated 12/14/22

The Miami Dolphins endured frustration the past two games, especially on offense, but Tyreek Hill has managed to set himself apart from those woes.

In each of the past two games, the "Cheetah" has touchdown catches of more than 50 yards. He also added a 57-yard TD on a fumble recovery. On Sunday, Hill broke the Dolphins franchise record for receiving yards in a season.

Breakin’ records. @cheetah x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/uUC5HIsTh0
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 12, 2022

Hill is chasing history, too.

He was recently surpassed by Justin Jefferson for the league lead in receiving yards, but both are in contention to set the NFL season record for receiving yards (1,964), set by Detroit's Calvin Johnson in 2012.

Jefferson has 1,500 yards this season while Hill has 1,460.

Hill talked about potentially breaking the record on Shannon Sharpe's podcast on Monday.

.@Cheetah on possibly breaking Calvin Johnson’s single season receiving yards record and his goal in Miami:

“To be who I am and everything happens for a reason. My God wouldn’t steer me in the wrong direction.” pic.twitter.com/0UzU6fntPP
— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) December 12, 2022

With four games remaining, it's possible that both could surpass Johnson’s mark and become the first receivers to surpass 2,000 yards.

Hill needs 126 yards per game to break the record. With an average of 14.6 yards per reception, that comes out to approximately nine catches per game.

It will be tough for Hill to catch Johnson, especially with Saturday’s game in Buffalo expected to be affected by snow and wind. He would also need a few off games from Jefferson to claim the top spot.

Adding to the difficulty, Hill suffered an ankle injury Sunday night, but he is expected to play against Buffalo.

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel says WR Tyreek Hill ankle injury seems more in bumps and bruises that he can work through. Sounds like he’ll be good for Saturday vs. Bills. And LT Terron Armstead had a “successful game experience without a setback” per McDaniel.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 12, 2022

Hill is not just chasing an NFL record. He's also in the conversation to become the first non-quarterback to win MVP since running back Adrian Peterson in 2012.

According to OddsChecker, Hill is +11,000 to win MVP. Jefferson is +10,000. Philadelphia's Jalen Hurt and Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes are the favorites, per Oddschecker.

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