Down 17 points to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs needed a spark to pull out their improbable 20-17 win.
They got one in the form of Tyreek Hill, the fifth-round wideout who dialed up 10 catches for 89 yards, the most grabs by any Chiefs player in a game all season.
"He's continued to improve," coach Andy Reid said of Hill on Monday, per the team's official website. "We're asking him to do a ton of things and he just handles it. I've told you before: I think he's a smart kid, shows up and does all the things that we're asking him to do."
The Chiefs struggled on offense against Carolina -- certainly missing the services of starting pass-catcher Jeremy Maclin -- but Hill did his best to fill the void with six grabs of 10-plus yards, including a 27-yard reception to end the third quarter.
Also a fascinating return man, Hill has spiced up a roster short on electrifying weapons. Operating as a downfield threat, the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder now has 18 receptions over the last three weeks and sits third among all rookies -- behind Michael Thomas and Sterling Shepard -- with 32 catches on the year. It's clear to see that he's gained the trust of quarterback Alex Smith.
"Whenever my number is called, I just go out there and try to get open every play," Hill added. "If the ball comes to me, I'm going to catch it and do my thing."
Drawing summertime comparisons to legendary return-man Devin Hester, it's Hill's blazing 4.25 speed that makes him impossible to overlook.
"He is freaky fast. He can giddy up and go, which doesn't hurt," said Reid, who harbors no plans to slow the development of Kansas City's most exciting young player.
