Rashee Rice is a star in the making and a perfect fit for what this Chiefs offense has become.

As teams have opted to try and limit the big play from Patrick Mahomes, it has forced Andy Reid to call plays in a manner that moves the ball down the field methodically. Rice’s ability to make plays after the catch has been an underrated storyline given all the talk surrounding the Chiefs. Rice had a touchdown called back against the Ravens that displayed his knack for finding running lanes, as he showed off tremendous acceleration when he got the ball in his hands.

The 49ers defense may have more household names than any defense in football, but they still struggle with tackling at times if players can get past the first level — 50.3% of all receiving yards came after the catch against the 49ers in the regular season.

In the NFC Championship Game against the Lions, the two main inside receivers for Detroit feasted against San Francisco. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta accounted for 16 receptions on 24 targets, gaining a total of 184 yards.

The Chiefs have their own version of this duo in Travis Kelce and Rice. You can be assured the most attention schematically will be paid toward the player with the most receptions in NFL postseason history, so Rice should see favorable matchups without having to face off against the best coverage player for the 49ers in Charvarius Ward.

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Betting Picks & Predictions

Rice has seen fewer than six targets only once in a game since Thanksgiving. His responsibility in this offense continued to grow throughout the season and has culminated in a role the Chiefs offense desperately needed fulfilled.

I think both his main receiving props for this game are fairly lined at 6.5 receptions and 66.5 receiving yards. However, his ability after the catch combined with the attention Kelce will receive lead me to believe a big play is to be had. Had his touchdown in the AFC Championship not been taken off of the board because of a questionable holding call that didn’t affect the play, Rice would have had a reception longer than 21.5 yards in four consecutive games. Lastly, both St. Brown of the Lions and Jayden Reed of the Packers both cleared this number versus the 49ers defense from the slot in their playoff matchups.

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