Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s ‘Insane Catch’ Wasn’t Even the Biggest Seahawks News vs Rams
In the Seattle Seahawks’ 21-19 road loss, Smith-Njigba finished with nine catches for 105 yards and became the first player in the Super Bowl era to record at least 75 receiving yards in each of his first 10 games of a season, according to the Seahawks.
The performance also gave him his seventh 100-yard game of the year, tying Hall of Famer Steve Largent’s franchise record for a single season.
The signature highlight was a ridiculous one-handed grab down the left sideline, with Smith-Njigba extending his left arm to pluck a 28-yard loft from quarterback Sam Darnold and somehow dragging his feet in bounds. The NFL labeled it a “Can’t-Miss Play” as the replay blew up on social media.
After the game, head coach Mike Macdonald kept it simple when asked about the catch.
“He’s a phenomenal player and he got his feet down,” Macdonald said.
The Seahawks’ official account summed up the night with a graphic and the caption, “No stopping JSN,” calling him the “First Player in SB Era with at least 75 yards in each of his first 10 games of a season.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 75-Yard Streak Puts Him Alone in NFL History
Smith-Njigba has been on a heater all year, but the Rams game pushed his season into true NFL-history territory.
NFL insider Diana Russini noted that Smith-Njigba is the first player in NFL history to record 75+ receiving yards in 10 straight games to begin a season, not just in Seattle but across the league’s entire record book.
AP’s game story added another layer: JSN hit nine receptions for 105 yards, extended his 75-yard streak to 10, and tied Largent’s mark with his seventh 100-yard game of the season — and it’s only mid-November.
After the Rams game, he sits at 72 receptions for 1,146 yards and five touchdowns through 10 games this season, per his updated stat line.
At that pace, PFN calculated that Smith-Njigba would finish with a yardage total that would rank second all-time behind only Calvin Johnson’s single-season record of 1,964 yards set in 2012.
He has already been named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October, after a stretch that included 24 catches for 417 yards and three touchdowns in just three games, with at least eight catches, 100 yards and a score in each contest.
For a player who already logged a 100-catch, 1,130-yard Pro Bowl season in 2024, this has been another step up into bona fide superstar territory.
GettyJaxon Smith-Njigba finished with nine catches for 105 yards and became the first player in the Super Bowl era with at least 75 receiving yards in each of his first 10 games of a season.
What Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Record Streak Means for the Seahawks
The loss to Los Angeles was brutal for Seattle in the standings, but the JSN show underlined how central he has become to everything the Seahawks do on offense.
Darnold threw four interceptions in the defeat, and the Seahawks failed to reach the end zone until late in the fourth quarter. Through it all, Smith-Njigba kept the chains moving, piling up underneath catches, sideline outs and explosive plays like the one-handed grab that sparked Seattle’s final drive.
Macdonald’s postgame quote — “He’s a phenomenal player and he got his feet down” — sounded as much like a big-picture statement as it did a reaction to one snap.
With DK Metcalf now in Pittsburgh and Smith-Njigba entrenched as Seattle’s No. 1 receiver, the Seahawks have rebuilt their passing game around a route technician who wins at every level of the field.
The 10-game streak of 75+ yards shows defensive coordinators have not found an answer yet. Opponents can roll coverage his way, but the Seahawks keep scheming him into leverage, and he keeps winning at the catch point and after the catch.
If he stays healthy, the record pace keeps him in range of multiple milestones at once:
- Challenging Calvin Johnson’s 1,964-yard single-season record, which has stood since 2012.
- Breaking DK Metcalf’s Seahawks record of 1,303 receiving yards in a season, along with the team receptions mark he already shares with Tyler Lockett (100).
- Setting a high bar for consecutive 75-yard games to open a season that may be tough for future receivers to match.
For now, the bigger question for Seattle is whether they can clean up turnovers and red-zone struggles quickly enough to keep pace in the NFC West while their emerging superstar receiver plays at this level.
Stats, Schedule & Context for Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Monster Season
- Week 11 result: Seahawks lost 21-19 at the Rams after Jason Myers missed a 61-yard field goal at the buzzer.
- Smith-Njigba vs. Rams:9 receptions, 105 yards, one highlight-reel 28-yard one-handed catch.
- Season line through 10 games: 72 receptions, 1,146 yards, 5 touchdowns; 10 straight games with 75+ receiving yards; seven 100-yard games, tying Steve Largent’s franchise record.
- Team record: Seahawks now 7–3, with a previously franchise-record 10-game road winning streak snapped by the Rams.
- Next game: At the Tennessee Titans on November 23.
Even in a loss, the night belonged to JSN, a one-handed catch that will live on every highlight reel, and a 75-yard streak that just moved him into a space all his own in NFL history.
Why it’s not too early for Browns to bench Joe Flacco for Dillon Gabriel
The Cleveland Browns find themselves staring at an early-season identity crisis. After two straight losses to open the 2025 campaign, the team is searching for answers at quarterback. Joe Flacco, the veteran entrusted with leading the offense, has struggled mightily through the first two weeks. His Week 2 performance against the Baltimore Ravens not only magnified his limitations. It also raised a pressing question: is it time to hand the keys to rookie Dillon Gabriel? The Browns can’t afford to wait long to decide, not in a stacked AFC North where every week counts.
Breaking down the Week 2 loss to Baltimore
It may sound strange to say a defense looked good in a game where it surrendered 41 points. However, the Browns’ unit showed resilience for the second week in a row. In their 41-17 loss to the Ravens on Sunday, two pivotal moments tilted the score in ways that weren’t on the defense. A blocked punt in the first half gave Baltimore the ball deep in Cleveland territory. Later, Flacco’s fumble was returned for a touchdown. Beyond those breakdowns, Myles Garrett notched another sack and a half, while Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger delivered encouraging snaps that showed promise for the future.
The real problems came on offense. Flacco completed 25 of 45 passes for 199 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception, while also losing a costly fumble. He took two sacks and never found a rhythm. This left the Browns struggling to sustain drives. Lamar Jackson, by contrast, was efficient and turnover-free. He kept the Ravens in control throughout. Flacco was pulled late in the game, and Dillon Gabriel stepped in to deliver a touchdown pass to Dylan Sampson on the final drive. That gave Cleveland at least a brief spark. Even so, head coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated that Flacco will remain the starter for Week 3 against the Packers. At 0-2, though, the frustration in Cleveland is beginning to boil.
Here we'll try to look at and discuss why it's not too early for the Cleveland Browns to bench Joe Flacco for Dillon Gabriel.
A promising alternative
Gabriel represents the future of the Browns’ quarterback room. His brief cameo in Week 2 hinted at a more dynamic alternative. Gabriel has the tools that modern offenses crave, which are arm strength, quick decision-making, and mobility. Unlike Flacco, Gabriel can extend plays with his legs and force defenses to account for his athleticism. That dual-threat capability alone can tilt the field. That's particularly true for a Browns team that has struggled to generate explosive plays.
Sure, Gabriel lacks Flacco’s experience. However, he brings a sense of urgency and upside that Cleveland desperately needs. With the offense sputtering, sticking with Flacco risks turning early-season struggles into a full-on spiral. Gabriel may be unproven, but his skill set is tailor-made to ignite the Browns’ stagnant attack.
Offensive struggles demand change
Objectively speaking, the Browns’ offense under Flacco has looked painfully predictable. Defenses have sat comfortably on short and intermediate routes, forcing Cleveland into unfavorable third-down situations. Red zone efficiency remains poor, and drives stall with alarming regularity. These inefficiencies are symptomatic of an offense that lacks rhythm and creativity.
Gabriel, if given meaningful snaps, could force the playbook open. His ability to throw on the move and push the ball downfield offers Cleveland a chance to be more aggressive. It’s not just about Gabriel’s arm talent. It's also about the ripple effect his presence could have. This means wideouts getting more separation, play-action gaining potency, and the running game benefiting from defensive hesitation. A shift in style could be exactly what the Browns need to change the momentum of their season.
Team dynamics and long-term vision
The Browns must also confront the bigger picture. Flacco is a short-term stopgap, but the franchise’s future will not be built on his shoulders. Gabriel, however, represents potential longevity. Giving him live reps now not only accelerates his development. It will also signal to the locker room and fan base that the team is serious about building for the future.
Trotting out the same formula week after week risks stagnation, while an infusion of youth and energy could galvanize the roster. Gabriel’s insertion into the starting lineup would declare that Cleveland is willing to adapt rather than cling to the past.
Risks of waiting too long
Every week the Browns wait to make a quarterback change increases the risk of wasted opportunity. Opponents are already adjusting to Flacco’s tendencies. Defenses know he’s unlikely to threaten them with his legs. If Cleveland falls into an early-season hole, the playoff race could be out of reach before Gabriel gets a fair shot. That would be a missed opportunity not just for the present season, but for building toward the future.
A timely transition allows Gabriel to develop chemistry with his skill players while the games still matter. It gives the coaching staff real data to evaluate and adjust around his strengths. Waiting until Week 8 or later to test him risks turning the season into little more than an extended preseason.
The bottom line
Loyalty to Flacco is understandable. He's a proven veteran who has seen it all. That said, NFL opportunities vanish quickly. Gabriel may not be a guaranteed solution, but he offers hope, unpredictability, and upside. Making the switch now could rescue Cleveland’s season before it slips away entirely.
