MIAMI GARDENS,Thurston Carte Fla. — The idea that Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons could win this season's MVP award is gaining traction.

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill doesn't seem to care.

Parsons and Hill will face off Dec. 24 at Hard Rock Stadium, but already, the two are engaged in serious trash talk on social media.

After Hill put up 215 receiving yards in the opener against the Chargers, he declared himself not only The Cheetah, but also a lion.

Fashioning himself as the king of the jungle, Parsons took exception, referring to Hill as nothing more than a "baby lion."

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That put the ball back in Hill's court. And on his podcast, Hill swatted it back.

"Micah Parsons, when we play you December 25th (sic) on Christmas Day, I have a present for you, my boy," Hill said. "I know you seen my little clip where I was blocking the D-end. I’m big like that, so you better watch your back. You better watch your back because I'm going to blindside you."

Seeking to set the record straight, Hill closed by adding, "Imma show you (in) that game who the real lion is. Because like I say, I'm The Cheetah and I'm The Lion. I'm the real hybrid on the field, baby.”

Parsons wasn't about to take that without comment. Friday morning, he posted a GIF with the words "Did you kill a cheetah?!" embedded.

Parsons also wrote, "Ima make my baby girl a cheetah blanket for Christmas."

Isn't it heartwarming to see two NFL players in the Christmas spirit? And it's only September!

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.