The Seattle Seahawks emerged victorious against the Washington Commanders with a commanding 38-14 win on Sunday night, highlighted by the impressive performance of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
In his third year, Smith-Njigba showcased his talents by being targeted nine times and making eight receptions for a total of 129 yards. Despite an outstanding previous season where he led the Seahawks with 100 catches, 1,130 receiving yards, and six touchdowns, he often found himself overshadowed by veteran players like Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. With both veterans no longer on the roster, Smith-Njigba has stepped into the spotlight as a leading receiver for the Seahawks.
On Sunday, Smith-Njigba”s performance drew significant attention from NFL analysts. The staff at Bleacher Report recognized him as one of the standout players of Week 9. They praised his consistent ability to gain over 100 receiving yards in six of the eight games played this season, emphasizing that his name is now part of the conversation among the league”s elite wide receivers. Analysts noted, “When you think about the NFL”s top receivers, Smith-Njigba is seldom mentioned among the cream of the crop. This year, he”s inserted his name in the conversation.”
Smith-Njigba has evolved from being primarily a slot receiver to taking on a more versatile role, often lining up on the perimeter, especially after the addition of Cooper Kupp to the team this past offseason. His ability to break free from defenders was evident during the game, as he reached triple-digit receiving yards by halftime.
With a dominant 28-0 lead by the second quarter, the Seahawks took a conservative approach in the passing game. However, Smith-Njigba continued to make significant contributions, enhancing his profile on the prime-time stage of Sunday Night Football.
For context, DK Metcalf, who is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, holds the single-season record for receiving yards for the Seahawks, set at 1,303 in 2020. As Smith-Njigba continues to shine, he may soon challenge such records and further solidify his status as one of the league”s brightest young stars.
As the Seahawks look to build on this momentum, Smith-Njigba”s performance could prove pivotal for their season moving forward.
