Kansas City Chiefs

Hill's breakout game comes at perfect time for Chiefs

Published Nov. 28, 2016 9:48 a.m. ET

foxsports

DENVER -- Tyreek Hill just got his name mentioned in the same sentence with Gale Sayers.

The Kansas City Chiefs speedy receiver/returner scored on a run, a pass reception and a kick return Sunday night to become the first player to pull off that hat trick in a game since the former Bears great in 1965, according to NFL Research.

"I just go out there and play," Hill said after his electric performance helped Kansas City to a 30-27 overtime win over Denver. "Whatever the coaches want me to do, I am here. If the ball comes to me, I am going to make the play. I am full of speed."

He might have scored a few more times had the Broncos (7-4) not made shoestring tackles on the blazing game-changer. Or had they not stopped kicking his direction altogether.

View from the sidelines: NFL cheerleaders 2016.

"Beyond fast," Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston said of the rookie speedster from West Alabama.

On most nights, Houston's three sacks -- one of which led to a safety -- might have made him the game's MVP for the Chiefs (8-3). Hill rewrote that script.

"His speed?" Houston said. "You can't explain it."

Working double time with receiver Jeremy Maclin sidelined by a groin injury, Hill made his first impact early in the second quarter after Houston stripped the ball from Trevor Siemian and a Denver offensive lineman fell on it for a safety. Hill took the ensuing free kick and sped 86 yards untouched for the score. It was so easy for him that he even high-fived fellow speedster De'Anthony Thomas at the 5 yard line.

Near the end of the third quarter, Hill took a handoff, stepped out of a tackle by Von Miller and scored from 3 yards out.

But he saved his best moment for the closing seconds. Hill hauled in a 3-yard TD catch from Alex Smith with 12 seconds remaining -- falling into the end zone, even, cradling the ball in his lap. At first, officials ruled that Hill was short of the goal line, but a review changed the call to a TD. The Chiefs tied the game at 24 when Smith hit Demetrius Harris for the 2-point conversion.

All that led to Cairo Santos clanking a 34-yard field goal off the left goal post for the game-winner with two seconds remaining in OT.

Really, though, this was Hill's night.

"No doubt it's a coming out party -- on Sunday Night Football and it's definitely fun because the whole country is watching," Hill said. "So, yes, it's a coming out party."

Just another in a recent procession of big plays Hill, who has 45 catches for 428 yards and five scores this season.

"Obviously, he's a big part of what we're doing -- not just on offense but on special teams and you saw that today," quarterback Alex Smith said. "With Mac out, it's an opportunity for other guys to step up. He's got more on his plate and he's handled it very, very well."