Arrowhead Pride
The Kansas City Chiefs claimed a 31-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon, improving to 4–3 on the season. The Chiefs dominated every phase of the game — and the offense continued to look extremely potent.
The game’s biggest storyline was the return of wide receiver Rashee Rice after serving a six-game suspension. It was also his first game since September 29, 2024, when he tore his ACL in a Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
In his first game back, Kansas City got him involved in the game plan — while also easing him back into action and ensuring he was fully prepared to play. He finished the game with seven receptions on 10 targets for 42 receiving yards and two touchdowns — both scored in the red zone. He played 33 snaps and exited for good early in the fourth quarter, when most of the Chiefs’ starters also left the game.
It was clear that Kansas City wanted to get Rice into the end zone, but the team also managed his snaps carefully to ease him back into rhythm. With several pre-loaded plays designed to get Rice the ball, parts of this game felt like a preseason matchup that intended to get him touches — while also featuring him as the primary red-zone target.
The performance was a great building block for the rest of the season and showed a glimpse of what the Chiefs’ offense could look like in the coming weeks.
The Chiefs wasted no time getting Rice into the end zone, using their signature jet-sweep flip pass to perfection.
Here, Kansas City motions Rice away from the double–tight end set on the right side of the offense — but before the ball is snapped, he comes back across the formation. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes quickly flips him the ball, and Rice doesn’t waste any time reading his blocks and getting upfield.
Good blocking from tackle Jawaan Taylor and center Creed Humphrey opens up the running lane, where Rice shows off his elite yards-after-catch ability by running through a face mask and darting into the end zone for his first touchdown of the season.
While this play is highly scheme-based, the Chiefs do an excellent job of mixing and matching which players they use in jet motion — and now Rice will be in that mix.
For his second touchdown of the game, Rice showed off his ability as a pass catcher.
One-on-one from the 5-yard line on this rep, Rice is single-covered by the Raiders. Kansas City uses a late motion by running back Kareem Hunt as “eye candy” to shift the safeties and pull attention away from Rice. At the snap, the wideout uses sharp footwork to freeze the defender before quickly breaking upfield.
Mahomes recognizes the separation right away, throwing a pinpoint pass that only Rice can catch. He locates the ball and hauls it in for six points.
Both of Rice’s scores came on...
