Why the Kansas City Chiefs will win the AFC in 2017
By Austin Owen
No. 1. The Tyreek Hill factor
Of course we are going to discuss Tyreek Hill. In fact, ever since he burst on to the scene last fall, we have not stopped talking about him. But what can Tyreek do that puts the Chiefs above the rest of the AFC? Here are a few things:
The return game
Back in the early 2000s, one of the greatest weapons of that historic offense was a man named Dante Hall. I weep for you, dear reader, if you do not know of the sheer joy that was watching Dante Hall play football. The Human joystick, the X-Factor—these were a few of the nicknames given to the electric Hall, who could completely change the direction of the game on one kick of the ball.
Tyreek Hill is that same guy. You can not plan for someone with his speed and elusiveness in the return game. Though, you surely could plan better than Marquette King. Now, Head Coach Andy Reid has said already that Hill will be taken off of kick returns. He will be focusing on improving as a wideout, as well as returning punts. That doesn’t mean, however, that late in the game, in a key situation, Reid won’t stick him back there to return a kickoff. A weapon like this in the return game can wreck even Bill Belichick’s game plan.
His ability as a wideout
This may well be the biggest key to the Chiefs success this year. Hill has all the physical tools to be as good, if not better, than DeSean Jackson. “Wait, DeSean Jackson is one of the most electric receivers in the game. Tyreek isn’t at that level is he?” Lets delve into this one a bit, I believe Tyreek is closer than you think.
This was the moment that I realized Tyreek Hill is more than just a really fast guy. Look at his concentration as he slips behind the defensive back, walks the sideline like a tightrope, and flies past him into the end zone. Look at the hands. I mean, come on!
The concentration and ball skills on this play are light years ahead of a guy who is playing in only his sixth career game. If Hill continues to improve on his hands and vision as a wideout, he will be an enormous weapon, especially in the red zfone. Now, about that speed…
https://twitter.com/AustinO1150/status/888445631815192578
There is so much to love about this play. First, the DB is playing nearly 15 yards off of Hill, respecting his speed. Hill is running full blast on the snap. The DB takes two slow steps back, and it’s too late. Hill is in front of him before the DB can even start to pick up speed. The strong safety tries to shade over and slow him down, but Hill spins him around like a top. That kind of speed is so hard to defend. It forces you into double coverage, but even that wont do the trick sometimes. Hill has the ability as a wideout to ruin a defense’s day. You get caught sleeping one time and he will burn you.
Out of the backfield
Another huge way Hill can change a game: movement out of the backfield. Whether it be on jet sweeps, a plain old counter play, or just as a decoy, Hill garners a lot of attention when lining up behind Alex Smith. Exhibit #1:
Here we have a simple counter play. Hill gets a nice block from Kelce and covers 70 yards in no time. As good as Hill is on returns and as a wideout, he is special out of the backfield. As long as Reid finds ways to utilize him, Tyreek Hill will have great success in 2017.