The one Chiefs player that could flip Week 8 on its head

The Chiefs have long been known for their dynamic offensive identity, and that remains true heading into Week 8 against Washington on Monday night.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce continue to set the standard for rhythm and efficiency in the passing game, but the return of Rashee Rice could be what takes this offense from sharp, to damn near unstoppable.

After serving his six-game suspension to open the year, Rice made his 2025 debut last week and miss a beat -- catching seven of nine targets for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

As he ramps back into form, his presence could completely tilt the game in Kansas City’s favor against a Washington secondary that simply can’t stop anyone right now.

Through seven games, the Commanders’ pass defense has been a weekly liability. Opposing quarterbacks have thrown at will, averaging 230 yards per game through the air, eighth-worst in football. The coverage busts, lack of communication, and inconsistent tackling have turned even average passing attacks into big-play threats.

Now, they have to face Mahomes and Rice -- a dangerous quarterback-receiver duos when they’re in sync.

At 6-foot-1 over 200 pounds, Rice offers the complete profile of a true No. 1 receiver. He’s strong through contact, quick in and out of his breaks, and attacks the football with confidence. He’s also a legitimate three-level threat -- someone who can take the top off the defense with vertical speed, win intermediate routes on timing throws, and turn short catches into chunk gains with his power after the catch.

For Washington, 2025 has not gone to plan through seven weeks. Regardless of the nagging hiccups for Jayden Daniels with his knee and hamstring, or season-ending injuries to seemingly every edge defender they had, the Commanders’ secondary group has remained the point of focus.

Marshon Lattimore, acquired from New Orleans at last year’s trade deadline, has looked like a complete shell of his former self. Once one of the league’s most competitive and technically sound corners, he’s struggled mightily in 2025, losing more one-on-one reps than he wins and getting beat deep far too often. He's looked unplayable at times.

Opposite him, the picture isn’t much brighter. Second-year corner Mikey Sainristil, despite an excellent year one, is still trying to find his footing -- the staff hasn’t determined if he’s better suited outside or in the slot -- and rookie Trey Amos, a second-round pick out of Ole Miss, has remained there best perimeter stalwart, but has also taken his lumps learning on the fly.

Bottom line, it's a recipe for disaster against Rice and the Kansas City aerial attack who thrives on exploiting mismatches and defensive confusion.

For Rice, expect Andy Reid to get creative with the former SMU products alignments, moving him inside and out to isolate him against weaker coverage players. With Washington’s secondary already giving up explosive plays at an alarming rate, Mahomes will have opportunities to test them deep early and often -- and Rice’s ability to separate late in the route or win contested catches downfield makes him the perfect target to capitalize.

Beyond his deep threat ability, Rice’s timing and chemistry with Mahomes add another layer to the ballgame. His ability to find soft spots in zone coverage and adjust his routes on the fly allows the Chiefs’ offense to stay on schedule. And when the Commanders inevitably commit extra resources to slow Kelce, or the ground game, it’ll leave Rice in one-on-one situations he’s built to dominate.

If Week 7 was the warm-up, Week 8 could be the statement game for Rice. The Commanders haven’t shown they can slow down passing attacks with far less talent than Kansas City’s, and if Rice continues to build momentum, it could be the night he re-establishes himself as a dynamic weapon to prepare for as the season progresses.

Expect Mahomes to look his way early, and if the Commanders can’t find an answer, Rice could flip this game on its head before halftime.