MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tyreek Hill had a quiet night in the Miami Dolphins blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Hill, the NFL’s leading receiver in 2023, had just three receptions for 24 yards in a 31-10 loss. It was the fewest yards he’s had since catching three passes for 23 yards against the New York Jets in the final game of the 2022 regular season. He didn’t have a game with fewer than 40 yards receiving in 2023.
Hill dominated national headlines all week after being pulled from his sports car by police officers during a traffic stop on his way to the stadium for the Dolphins’ season opener.
A verbal dispute Sunday between Hill and Miami-Dade police officers escalated quickly just hours before the Dolphins kicked off their season. Hill rolled up the window of his McLaren sports car after an officer told him to put it down, and it led to Hill being pulled out of the vehicle by his arm and head and forced face-first onto the ground. Officers handcuffed Hill and one put a knee in the middle of his back.
Hill was eventually released after receiving citations for careless driving and failing to wear his seat belt — the total fine is $309. Hours later, he caught an 80-yard touchdown pass that sparked the Dolphins’ comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Police Department Director Stephanie Daniels put Officer Danny Torres on administrative duty, and an internal affairs investigation is underway. The department released the identity of Torres, a 27-year veteran of the department, on Tuesday.
Hill has since said he could have handled some parts of the initial interaction differently.
“I could have let down my window in that instant,” Hill said Wednesday. “But the thing about me is, I don’t want attention. I don’t want to be cameras-out, phones-on-you in that moment. But at the end of the day, I’m human. I’ve got to follow rules. I’ve got to do what everyone else would do.
“Now, does that give them the right to literally beat the dog out of me? Absolutely not,” Hill continued. “But at the end of the day, I wish I could go back and do things a bit differently.”
Hill smiled and waved at cameras as he arrived ahead of Thursday’s game.
The eight-time Pro Bowl selection had a 10-yard reception and a 12-yard carry in the first half.
In a highly anticipated matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was expected to make a significant impact on the game. However, despite his reputation as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL, Hill had a limited impact in the Dolphins’ blowout loss to the Bills.
Hill, who was acquired by the Dolphins in a blockbuster trade with the Kansas City Chiefs during the offseason, was expected to provide a spark to Miami’s offense with his speed and playmaking ability. However, in Sunday’s game against the Bills, Hill was largely held in check by Buffalo’s defense.
Throughout the game, Hill struggled to get open against the Bills’ secondary and was unable to make any big plays down the field. Despite being targeted several times by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Hill was only able to haul in a few short passes for minimal gains.
One of the key factors contributing to Hill’s limited impact in the game was the pressure that Buffalo’s defense was able to generate on Tagovailoa. The Bills’ pass rush consistently disrupted Miami’s offensive rhythm and prevented Tagovailoa from having enough time to find Hill down the field.
Additionally, the Dolphins’ overall offensive struggles also played a role in Hill’s lack of production. Miami’s offensive line had difficulty protecting Tagovailoa, which limited the opportunities for Hill to make plays in the passing game.
Despite his limited impact in Sunday’s game, it is important to note that Tyreek Hill is still one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL and has the ability to change the course of a game with one big play. Moving forward, the Dolphins will need to find ways to better utilize Hill’s skill set and get him more involved in their offensive game plan in order to maximize his impact on future games.