Rashee Rice's 2025 season debut and 4 more things to watch for during Chiefs' Week 7 matchup vs. Raiders

The 3-3 Kansas City Chiefs will host the 2-4 Las Vegas Raiders in a Week 7 matchup at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

Kansas City has won three of its last four games, and appears to be rounding back into elite form after a slow start. The Raiders broke a four-game losing streak last week when they defeated the Tennessee Titans 20-10. Let's dive in to five things to watch for during this game.

WR Rashee Rice's workload

Rice will finally return to the field in a regular season game for the first time since Week 4 of 2024. He looked great during training camp and preseason, and has been in the facility with his teammates over the past couple of weeks.

Will the Chiefs' coaching staff ease Rice in, or have him involved early and often right off the bat? If how they handled Xavier Worthy's return a few weeks ago is any indication, it will be the latter. Rice is in shape and knows the offense well. His mantra is "Everybody Gotta Eat," but this week it needs to be Rice who feasts.

Picking off Raiders QB Geno Smith

K.C.'s defense has been ok at forcing interceptions with four on the season, but could be better. It has a golden opportunity to inflate those numbers against the Raiders this week, as Smith leads the NFL in interceptions thrown with 10.

Six of those have come during his last three games. Smith may also be without his top two targets, tight end Brock Bowers and WR Jakobi Meyers, in this game. If the Chiefs can force Smith into mistakes, things could get out of hand for Las Vegas early.

Raiders LB Devin White vs. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce

White decided to start a little beef with both Kelce and Patrick Mahomes this week. That's usually not a great decision. White should be pitted against Kelce in coverage quite a bit in this game. Kelce is coming off one of his better games of the season, recording six catches for 78 yards last week.

White is a very solid player, so it was already going to be a great matchup. The question now becomes whether or not it will be personal. Kelce and Mahomes have certainly taken note of White's comments, and may be out to get him.

Chiefs OTs Jawaan Taylor, Jaylon Moore vs. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby

Crosby is one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL, and the heart and soul of Las Vegas' defense. He will try to rattle Mahomes on Sunday, but will have to get through Taylor or Moore to do so. Crosby usually lines up on the left, so will probably go up against Taylor more, but will surely go over to the right and test Moore at times.

When he isn't committing penalties, Taylor has been one of the best pass blocking OTs in the league. Moore, who appears to be in line to fill in for Josh Simmons once again, played admirably last week despite being informed last minute that he was starting. If Taylor and Moore can keep Crosby in check, K.C.'s offense should have a big day.

Keeping momentum in the rushing attack

The Chiefs haven't set the world on fire with their rushing attack, but have been efficient recently, racking up 270 yards and four touchdowns during their last two games combined on the ground. One way they have found success is running the ball when Mahomes is lined up under center.

That has translated to more of a power/gap-based running game, which suits K.C.'s offensive line better. It also makes play-action passing more effective, which we've seen from the Chiefs' offense as of late. Isiah Pacheco has come close to breaking off some big runs, and Kareem Hunt has been great during short-yardage situations.