As the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for the upcoming 2025 season, there is no shortage of opponents on their schedule that will pose a serious challenge. But by far, the biggest obstacle between the Jaguars and their path to the playoffs is the team that's arguably the biggest dynasty in the NFL right now: the Kansas City Chiefs.
Not only will the Jaguars face the Chiefs, they'll be doing it during Monday Night Football, making this an even more vital game for Jacksonville to win. It will be a huge opportunity for the Jags to send a powerful message to the league: don't count us out yet.
After all, the AFC South is assumed to be the property of the Houston Texans. The Jaguars are massively underestimated, and the Texans have practically already anointed the AFC South champions, as if none of the other teams can stand in their way. While that is very likely true of the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts, there is every reason to believe that the Jaguars are real playoff contenders htis season.
And defeating the Chiefs in prime time? That would certainly set the league straight. Luckily for the Jaguars, there is some good news that might make their battle against Kansas City a little more manageable.
The Chiefs lose Rashee Rice
Wide receiver Rashee Rice has been in the middle of several legal battles, including allegedly punching a photographer in a Dallas nightclub. But the biggest issue stems from a car crash that took place in March of 2024.
Rice pled guilty this July to two third-degree felonies; while driving a Lamborghini Urus, he caused a high-speed multi-vehicle crash, and then fled the scene. Over one year later, Rice finally took responsibility, and pled guilty to one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and one count of racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He will have to serve 30 days in prison, at any time over a five-year probationary period, and must pay restitution to his victims.
But that is just the sentence from the legal system. The NFL had its own punishment to mete out, and he's now been suspended for the first six games of the season. That means he will return in Week 7, for the Chiefs' game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but he will not be playing against the Jaguars.
While Rice's absence isn't going to make or break anything, it's still a huge blow to the Chiefs' offense. He's a promising receiver, and this will put a lot more strain on the Kansas City receiving corps - especially Xavier Worthy.
And while no one wants to celebrate someone's misfortune, there's also no denying the reality that, in such an important game, the Jaguars will take whatever advantage they can get.