Kansas City sits at the center of an AFC that’s reshaping by the week. KC’s offense gains propulsion with Rasheed Rice and Xavier Worthy back in the mix, giving Patrick Mahomes more weapons and a deeper WR room to protect against injuries. Tyreek Hill’s Miami injury saga sparks trade-talk but cap and locker-room realities render a reunion unlikely. Across the conference, Chargers’ injuries, Broncos’ relentless pass rush, and Dolphins’ receiver trouble tighten the playoff map, with KC lined up to control its destiny.

Chiefs offense shows real evolution as Xavier Worthy returns and Rasheed Rice plus Taekwon Thornton spread the field, giving Patrick Mahomes time and more options beyond the Tyreek Hill era. The line’s improved cohesion allows deeper progressions and a more varied attack, while the run game remains a work in progress as Pacheco and Kareem Hunt mix carries. A Monday night test against Jacksonville will reveal if the surge is sustainable.

Kansas City’s offense got a jolt with Xavier Worthy back, unlocking a more dynamic attack that also featured Rasheed Rice and Bashard Smith, while JuJu Smith-Schuster held important short-to-mid routes. Patrick Mahomes delivered a four-TD, 270-plus yard performance, showing quicker decisions, better pocket trust, and improved progression reads. The line protected him well, Jawan Taylor had a clean game, and the defense pestered Lamar Jackson, with Bolton and Chanel delivering key stops as Spagnuolo dialed up pressure. KC converted on fourth downs and cruised to a 37-20 win that restores momentum heading into a favorable schedule.

Worthys return didn’t just add a target—it reshaped the defense’s approach, opening more opportunities for Thornton, Rice, and the rest of the pass catchers. The run game was efficient rather than dominant, but the offense clicked in a way that bodes well for fantasy: Mahomes is fresh, Worthy is back at full speed, and the combination of depth and play-calling gave KC multiple ways to move the ball.