NFL Week 13 Recap: Tyreek Hill on Pace for 2,000 Receiving Yards

Welcome to December football.

With six teams on their bye week (Bills, Bears, Raiders, Vikings, Giants, Ravens), there are only 11 games Sunday, with the marquee game kicking off at 4:25 p.m. ET between the 49ers (8–3) and Eagles (10–1) at Lincoln Financial Field.

If the Niners win, they move one step closer to their inevitable NFC West title, while closing on Philadelphia’s hold for the NFC’s top seed.

In the early window, the Dolphins again lit up one of the league’s worst teams, smoking the Commanders. However, the storyline is Tyreek Hill, who scored two touchdowns while totaling 157 receiving yards. At this juncture, Hill only needs 519 more yards to eclipse 2,000, making him the first player to ever break through the threshold.

On Sunday night, it’s the Chiefs visiting the Packers at venerable Lambeau Field. Green Bay (5–6) is trying to find its way into the NFC playoff picture, while the Chiefs would move into the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win.

(This story will be updated throughout the day.)

Sunday

Dolphins 45, Commanders 15

• What it means for Dolphins: Tyreek Hill has a genuine case to be the first receiver to win NFL MVP. In a year where no quarterback has run away with the award, Hill is authoring the best statistical season we’ve ever seen. Through 12 games, the four-time first-team All-Pro is on pace for the first 2,000-yard season by a receiver (Detroit’s Calvin Johnson owns the single-season mark of 1,964 yards in 2012). He notched 157 yards against the Commanders, meaning he only must average 103.8 yards in each game the rest of the way. It’s a good bet.
• What it means for Commanders: Ron Rivera might want to start looking at realty websites. It’s over. After firing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, the hope was an improved effort from his overwhelmed unit. Instead, Washington (4–9) allowed 31 points and 247 yards in the first half, showing no fight at all. It was Del Rio during the season. It’ll be Rivera after it. 

Chargers 6, Patriots 0

• What it means for Chargers: The 1919 Black Sox gave their fans less heartburn than the Chargers (5–7). It’s an ending parade of mistakes, ranging from a seemingly limitless amount of key drops, to running the wrong routes, to the coaching at large. Yes, Los Angeles beat New England. But it took a four-quarter effort against an offense that doesn’t belong in professional football. It’s a disgrace for a roster with this much talent.
• What it means for Patriots: What else is new? One step closer to drafting a quarterback with a top-three pick. The Patriots (2–10) benched Mac Jones for good and now can ride out five more performances from Bailey Zappe before landing either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Essentially, the pain for New England fans is significant, but if the Patriots make the right choice come April, it’s also temporary.

THURSDAY

Cowboys 41, Seahawks 35

• What it means for Seahawks: Seattle (6–6) is at a crisis point. The Seahawks have lost their past three games and their next two tilts come against the 49ers and Eagles. At some point, Seattle desperately needs its defense to step up. Over the past two games against San Francisco and Dallas, the Seahawks are allowing 33 points per game. The offense is helpless if the defense can’t get a few meaningful stops.
• What it means for Cowboys: Dallas (9–3) is a clear contender. Yes, the Cowboys have not beaten a litany of quality teams, but Seattle is a good opponent who couldn’t stop Dak Prescott. Speaking of Prescott, he’s now firmly in the MVP conversation having thrown a league-high 26 touchdowns against only six interceptions. If he continues anywhere near that pace, Dallas is a force in the NFC.