Parks Ranger
'Tis the season for a Christmas night showdown come Sunday, featuring two bitter rivals fighting for their playoff lives at the Arrowhead, where the Kansas City Chiefs will host the reigning Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. The league's best pass defense, known as the "No Fly Zone," will have their hands full, having to contain emerging superstar rookie wide receiver Tyreek Hill. But Denver's task has become that much more difficult, as they will be without starting safety and emotional leader T.J. Ward, opening the door for rookie Will Parks to make his name on the primetime stage.
Luckily for the Broncos, All-Pro cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. are healthy along with veteran free safety Darian Stewart. Parks, a sixth-round pick out of Arizona, has already shown positive flashes. Parks made the Broncos' lone interception that proved to be a game ender against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week three. He also returned a blocked extra point 84 yards for a game winning two point score against the New Orleans Saints in week 10.
As for his assignment, Hill is an athlete with world-class speed. He ran a 4.24 40-yard dash at the combine, faster than sure hall of fame wideout Randy Moss whose time was 4.25. Hill joins Chicago Bears hall of fame legend, running back Gale Sayers as the only player in NFL history to score on a run, reception, and kick return in a single game. The feat was accomplished against the Broncos in the Mile High City this past November.
It will be the ultimate test for Parks, whose chance to showcase his talents turns up at the most opportune of times. The Broncos' rookie will have to prove himself as a triple-threat in his own right, filling in for Ward, shutting down Hill, and ultimately saving Denver's season.
