The goodwill of his return may have lasted just one week. As Rashee Rice came back into the fold for the Kansas City Chiefs, their immediate productivity was sublime, as they scored 31 points in less than three full quarters against the Las Vegas Raiders. Immediately productive in his debut, the formerly suspended wide receiver had two touchdowns in the game, as the offense had its way against a divisional rival.
In a primetime Monday Night Football slot against the Washington Commanders, the team may have wanted to repeat that exceptional performance. However, through the first half, it was far from the result anyone could have expected. Tied at seven apiece, neither team had been able to take advantage offensively, with the struggles from Rice a microcosm of the issues with the Chiefs.
What Happened to Rashee Rice?
An LCL and hamstring injury caused the talented wide receiver to miss most of last season. And after serving a six-game suspension from the NFL to begin the year, he was finally unleashed in Week 7.
But against Washington in Week 8, his performance was far from explosive. As Kansas City turned the ball twice, Rice had a particularly rough time. Targeted twice, he caught both passes made towards him, but only for six yards.
On the lone Chiefs touchdown, though, he got the ball with a chance to score from the backfield. But he fell just shy of the end zone, gaining seven yards in the process, and setting up Kareem Hunt to get the score.
With the standings in the AFC tightening up by the week, it was essential for Kansas City to keep pace. A game against the Commanders without their starting quarterback was the perfect opportunity to try to close the gap on the competition.
However, the first half hadn’t gone even remotely according to plan. If the team wanted to find its way back into the encounter, then they needed a far better night from their designated WR1 in the second half.
That is exactly what they got as a rejuvenated offensive attack from the Chiefs paved the way for 21 unanswered second-half points. It gave them an ultimately comfortable victory, and Rice was a big piece of the puzzle.
After just six yards in the first half, he added seven more catches for 87 yards, while putting the final nail in the coffin with a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He finished with a final stat line of nine receptions on nine targets, 93 receiving yards, and a touchdown.
