Early this season, the Kansas City Chiefs looked human. That was an unfamiliar label for a franchise that has defined dominance under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. Offensive misfires, dropped passes, and inconsistency plagued a team still searching for its identity after an up-and-down start to the 2025 season. In Week 7, though, all that changed. The Chiefs didn’t just win. They made a statement. Their 31-0 shutout over the Las Vegas Raiders was a reminder to the rest of the league that the road to the Super Bowl still runs through Kansas City.
And the catalyst behind that resurgence? The long-awaited return of wide receiver Rashee Rice.
Missing piece return
Rice returned to the lineup in Week 7 of the 2025 season after being sidelined for over a year due to a six-game suspension for off-field conduct and a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 of the 2024 season. In his season debut, Rice quickly re-established his connection with Mahomes. Rice led the team with 10 targets and caught seven passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns.
The return of Rice, along with a healthy Xavier Worthy, has provided a significant boost to the Chiefs' offense. This is after they had struggled at times during the first half of the season. Reid and Mahomes both acknowledged the energy and trust Rice brings to the offense. Fans expect his workload to continue increasing as he regains full game fitness.
After months of speculation about how the Chiefs would look without their second-year receiver, the answer came loud and clear in Las Vegas: unstoppable.
Here we'll try to look at and discuss how Rashee Rice is back, and so are the Kansas City Chiefs as the best team in the AFC.
A statement win that reasserts Kansas City’s dominance
Rice’s return in Week 7 was a massive factor in the Chiefs’ dominant shutout over the Raiders. It was a powerful indicator that Kansas City is once again the team to beat in the AFC. However, it wasn’t just Rice’s stat line that stood out. It was the rhythm. For the first time in months, the Chiefs’ passing game felt fluid.
Mahomes spread the ball confidently to Rice, Marquise ‘Hollywood' Brown, and Xavier Worthy. They all helped stretch the Raiders’ defense. With those three on the field, Kansas City looks sharper than at any point this season. They have certainly rediscovered the explosiveness that defined their championship years.
This version of the Chiefs looks balanced, versatile, and dangerous. That is exactly what fans have been waiting to see since their uneven start.
The defense makes the Chiefs complete again
Sure, the offense’s resurgence has captured headlines. However, the Chiefs’ defense might be the league’s most underrated storyline of 2025.
In Week 7, the defense suffocated the Raiders. They were hedl to just 95 total yards and three first downs. It was a staggering display of dominance. Chris Jones anchored the front line with relentless pressure, while Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie erased the Raiders’ receivers downfield.
That kind of performance, combined with a reloaded offense, makes Kansas City a complete team once again. The Chiefs no longer need to rely on Mahomes’ heroics to win. They can smother opponents on both sides of the ball. As a result, the AFC hierarchy looks familiar again, with the Chiefs sitting firmly at the top.
More offense in Week 8
The Chiefs offense was fantastic in Week 7, but fans likely haven’t seen their ceiling yet. Because the Raiders were so ineffective offensively, Kansas City pulled most of its starters late in the third quarter, including Rice. According to post-game stats, Rice only played 41 percent of offensive snaps, which means his production could have been much greater if the game were closer.
Among Kansas City’s wideouts, Xavier Worthy logged the most snaps (48 of 81, or 59 percent), followed by Rice, JuJu Smith-Schuster (36 percent), Hollywood Brown (33 percent), Tyquan Thornton (33 percent), Jalen Royals (20 percent), and Nikko Remigio (15 percent).
The Chiefs could ask for more from Rice and the rest of the starting offense in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders. Of course, that game could turn lopsided as well if Jayden Daniels remains sidelined. Either way, the Chiefs’ depth at receiver is finally paying off.
To put their progress in perspective: Kansas City reached the 30-point mark only six times in the past two seasons combined (including the postseason). Now, they’ve topped that in four straight games.
Why this offense looks different and dangerous again
Several key factors have fueled this offensive renaissance. First, the offensive line is performing at a level Mahomes hasn’t enjoyed in years. Even with rookie left tackle Josh Simmons missing time, pass protection has held steady. This gives Mahomes ample time to survey the field.
Second, the Chiefs finally have a full complement of weapons. Rice’s return, paired with Worthy’s health, means Mahomes can exploit every layer of the defense.
Third, the running game has quietly stabilized. Smith has been a consistent contributor, giving the offense balance and unpredictability. Yes, trade rumors continue to swirl around Kansas City potentially adding another running back. That said, Reid’s system appears to be working just fine.
Final thoughts
The narrative surrounding the Chiefs’ early-season struggles has flipped completely. What was once a disjointed offense now looks synchronized, dynamic, and confident. The defense continues to suffocate opponents, and the offense is operating with precision.
Kansas City’s Week 8 clash against Washington will test whether they can sustain this dominance. One thing is clear, though. The AFC’s power structure hasn’t changed as much as people thought. The Chiefs are still the measuring stick. With Rice back in rhythm, they look ready to remind everyone why.
