4 pivots Chiefs must make to secure No. 1 seed in AFC

2. Emphasize Rashee Rice

No position group has been a bigger cause for concern in Chiefs Kingdom than the wide receiving corps in 2023. Coming into the season, the coaching staff and front office laid heavy bets on the evolution of second-year man Skyy Moore and 2022 trade acquisition Kadarius Toney. It's fair to say team brass is likely discouraged by the returns in Year Two. To add insult to injury, their highest-paid player at the position—Marquez Valdes-Scantling—is apparently in the witness-protection program. He has just 14 catches for 249 receiving yards and one touchdown through nine games.

Fortunately for Kansas City, rookie receiver Rashee Rice is ahead of schedule and has been one of a precious few bright spots in the receiving corps. He's posted 378 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 32 receptions. Apart from Travis Kelce, he's been as reliable a pass catcher as the offense has had this year. His snap counts have been on a steady incline for the past month and that trend must continue for this offense to find its groove. He played the highest percentage of snaps in the international matchup with the Dolphins (68%). A steady diet of 70% of the offensive snaps will be important for him down the stretch.