Rashee Rice is emerging as a 3rd down go-to guy

Rice's continued emergence in the Chiefs offense is showing up on the most crucial down, and is crucial moving forward.

If I were to write a list of the issues that have plagued the Chiefs’ offense this season, it would be a long (and decidedly un-fun) list. But of all the issues we’ve seen, one of the problems that has troubled them the most has been a lack of someone to rely on in 3rd down situations who is not named Travis Kelce.

Juju Smith-Schuster wasn’t a gamebreaker for the Chiefs last season but still had a great deal of value. And much of that value came in two very specific forms; 3rd downs and forcing teams to gameplan for someone besides the Chiefs’ star tight end. In tough spots, Patrick Mahomes knew he could count on Juju to find the opening against zone defense, create just enough separation underneath, or make a tough catch (or run after the catch) to help grab a first down and keep drives alive.

Even just being able to do this a few times per game made Juju a wildly important player last year beyond what his numbers showed. The assumption was that Skyy Moore or Kadarius Toney would be able to replace his role, and that… has not worked out. That’s the bad news. The good news is that Rashee Rice has emerged as that guy, and it helped (quietly) swing the Chiefs’ win against an overmatched Patriots team.

In a game that was a relatively comfortable win for the NFL (despite one WR’s best efforts to make it otherwise), Rice came through in several key moments that, had he not been there to make the play, could have altered the course of the game. And hopefully by delivering in those situations he’ll continue to get his role increased in the offense, especially on 3rd down.

Let’s talk about making plays on the most crucial down in football, Rashee Rice, and how the rookie’s ability to be a “go-to” guy in those moments could be a crucial step for the offense being good enough for a playoff run.