Kansas City faces Monday Night Football against Jacksonville with Xavier Worthy's status up in the air after a shoulder/ankle update. If Worthy sits, Bashard Smith and Rashid Rice must rise to the occasion, while Mahomes and Kelce anchor a retooled attack and the line must lean on balance and playmaking from the backs. Devin Lloyd’s coverage challenge against Kelce looms large for the Jaguars, and Spagnuolo’s defense must pressure Trevor Lawrence while avoiding turnovers to pull a win on the road.

Whether Worthy suits up or not, KC leans on Kelce, Rice, and an adjusted motion game to keep Jacksonville off balance. If Worthy plays, the Chiefs still need a sharper run game and a plan to keep the offense from becoming one-dimensional. Jacksonville counters with Lloyd’s speed and a rising pass rush, while KC looks to a deeper receiving corps and a sharper game plan to stay atop the AFC West.

Chiefs face a scorching need to flip momentum after two rough starts. The conversation centers on a fast, well-scripted opening drive, sharper execution, and a more dynamic, rotating target mix beyond Kelce. Involve Nico Remigio and Jason Brownlee earlier, lean on Bashard Smith’s speed, and reintroduce screens and outside-zone concepts to spark Mahomes and the offense. Tempo, trust in the line, and timely completions are the path to stability versus the Giants.

Macro fixes include more receiver rotation, more varied looks, and improved run blocking—Kingsley Suamataia and Joshua Simmons showing growth. If Mahomes can unleash decisive throws and the defense can hold, Kansas City tilts toward rhythm in a pivotal stretch. The focus: execute, diversify, and push tempo to reclaim control of the season.