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Cheetah to Break Receiving Yards Record
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Cheetah's Chase for Receiving Yards Record

Nick Holz Published on: Oct 19, 2023 10:16 PM ET

As the NFL season unfurls with the usual drama and action, one wide receiver is setting the stage on fire, potentially etching his name into the annals of gridiron history. Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill is a man on a mission: hitting the illustrious 2,000-yard mark.

Let's take a look at where Hill's season ranks historically and how you can profit on the league's most explosive player.

Tyreek 2k: Is Megatron's Record In Jeopardy?

Tyreek Hill has begun the season on a torrid pace. He must've paid the NFL script writers well.

Six games into the season, "Cheetah" sits at 814 receiving yards. With 163 receiving yards on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Hill became the first player in NFL history with 150+ receiving yards in 4 of his team's first 6 games to start the year.

Hill has lit up the football world with an incredible 19.4 yards per reception and an astonishing 135.7 yards per game this season. Unbelievably, Hill has racked up 401 receiving yards on ONLY targets 20+ yards downfield. As the preeminent threat of the Dolphins offensive onslaught, the West Alabama alum is on pace to shatter the receiving yardage record, set by Calvin Johnson with 1,964 yards in 2012. Should he continue to devastate opposing secondaries at this cadence, Hill would finish with over 2,300 receiving yards.

Though his 814 receiving yards through 6 contests are the most in the Super Bowl era, they trail Don Hutson for the most through a players' first 6 games in NFL history.

Historical Comparisons

Let's journey back in time and revisit the pinnacle season's of the games' most celebrated wide receivers to see how Hill matches up.

Don Hutson

"The Alabama Antelope" was the NFL's first real receiving threat way back in the 1930s and 40s. In an era where "ends" lined up in 3-point stances, the legendary Green Bay Packer hauled in 74 receptions for 1211 yards and 17 touchdowns (in 11 games!) during his famed 1942 season. Somehow, Hutson had 819 receiving yards in his first 6 games that year, making Hill's yardage total seem pedestrian.

Hutson was the dominate receiver of his day, and is undoubtedly one of the greatest in NFL history. His career achievements read like a Tolkien novel. Not only was he the first 1,000 yard receiver in the league, Hutson also led the NFL in receiving yards 7 times, and receiving touchdowns in 9 of his 11 seasons. Oh, and he played defense pretty well too, leading the league in interceptions in 1940. 

Calvin Johnson

Hill chases the record of a unicorn. A mythical creature sent from the heavens to dominate the gridiron, Calvin Johnson is one of the greatest athletic forces in sports history. In addition to once beating out the great Sean McVay to Georgia's Mr.Football title, he burnt defenders to a crisp in a 2012 season that few will ever forget.

Megatron took over the NFL world in 2012, often being double or triple teamed all over the field. Even with the attention of every defender dedicated to stopping him, Johnson produced 122 receptions for 1964 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Perhaps the most unstoppable force in the history of the NFL, the Detroit Lions wideout put up 122.8 receiving yards a game that year. A record that Hill would obliterate if the season ended today.

Cooper Kupp

The closest modern comparison to Hill's 2023 start is Cooper Kupp's 2021 masterpiece.

Kupp became just the 4th player since 1970 to win the receiving triple crown, with 145 catches for 1947 yards and 16 touchdowns in 17 games. The Eastern Washington product finished the year with a record 2,425 receiving yards in the regular and postseason combined.

Kupp scooped up the Offensive Player of the Year award and put a bow on an unbelievable season with a Super Bowl victory. He became just the 2nd wideout in NFL history to be named the big games' MVP after scoring 2 touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Remarkably, Kupp's average of 114.5 receiving yards per game would trail Tyreek's by over 20 yards a contest if the season ended today.

How to Bet on Tyreek Hill

Hill currently sits at an enticing -125 to lead the NFL in total receiving yards this season. This prop provides bettors with a ton of value in case his yardage pace slows as the season progresses.

Cheetah leads Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown by 142 yards already. Despite the fact that Brown himself can make history on Sunday. With another big game in Week 7, Brown can become the first receiver since the aforementioned Megatron with 4 consecutive games of 125+ yards. Even that may not be enough to catch Hill.

There are a few more compelling options for bettors to benefit from Hill's pursuit of history. You can bet directly on Hill to break Calvin Johnson's receiving yardage record at +200 odds. Should he stay healthy, 1,964 yards is within sight.

That being said, there may be even more value on betting Hill to win the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. Should he get anywhere near the record, he's a shoo-in to win the award. Oddsmakers have taken notice, as Cheetah is now a +135 favorite to take home the trophy. Remember, Hill also leads the league in receiving touchdowns, and if he continues at this pace he'll clean up at the NFL awards.

At this point, only an injury or complete breakdown of Miami's offense could stop Hill from leading the league this season. Heck, if you feel like Tyreek and Mike McDaniel's magical offense can take this team deep into the playoffs, the Dolphins are currently +900 to win the Super Bowl.

 

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