Seahawks’ NFL-Leading Receiver Makes Big Statement After SNF Week 9 Win

Jaxon Smith-Njigba showed America why he’s the leading receiver in the NFL this season. Smith-Njigba and the Seattle Seahawks dismantled the Washington Commanders in primetime on Sunday Night Football, it was the rest of the wide receiver crew introducing themselves to millions of fans with their outstanding playmaking.

“I thought we came out and started fast,” Smith-Njigba told reporters in a post-game press conference. “Sam (Darnold) did an excellent job. Had us ready. O-line doing their thing. All around the board. Saw a lot of guys step up tonight. I was super excited about that. The game plan throughout the week was great and we came out here and executed. It’s always good.” 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Continues to Lead the NFL in Receiving Yards and Doesn’t Look Like He’s Slowing Down Anytime Soon

JSN led the way with eight catches for 129 yards, his fourth consecutive game with at least 100 yards receiving, and his sixth overall game of the season going over 100 yards. Smith-Njigba piled up his yards in a variety of ways, taking short routes and churning out extra yards, or finding soft spots in coverage on timing routes to beat a battered Washington defense. Notably, Smith-Njigba shook a defensive back so hard at one point in the game, cameras caught the elite receiver wide open calling for a ball. Of course, Seattle scored elsewhere on the play, underscoring the fact that the Seahawks were dominant and deep.

Seahawks News: Seattle Deep at Multiple Positions

The Seahawks had to play without prized off-season acquisition Cooper Kupp. Kupp was dealing with heel and hamstring injuries, at least one of which he just picked up in practice the following week. The nine-year, 8,000+ yard receiver’s loss could be a huge hit for any offense, but Seattle showed they were ready for their next man up. 

Fans immediately got introduced to Tory Horton. Horton had mostly seen time on special teams this season, scoring a touchdown as the Seahawks’ main punt return man. Against the Commanders, however, Horton turned heads. The rookie fifth round draft pick caught four passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns, helping break the game open for the Seahawks. 

His play drew praise from Smith-Njigba. 

“We preach next man up,” Smith-Njigba said at his press conference. “Step up. Make a play when your number is called, and Tory did that. That’s what we expect from him. He’s a big time player. He’s going to make the most of his opportunities. It’s great to see him take another step forward this season. We’re going to need him throughout the whole season. I’m excited that he had a great game today.” 

And that wasn’t the last of Seattle’s depth showcase. Sam Darnold (who multiple times drew MVP consideration from NBC’s broadcast) hit Cody White, and White made the most of his one catch. White took the deep route, broke a tackle and sprinted into the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown. For a guy that was just elevated from the practice a few days earlier, it was a huge welcome to the NFL moment – even if it’s his fourth season, White scored his first NFL touchdown. 

“Man, excited,” Smith-Njigba said. “We know Cody’s a baller. Anytime he’s out there on the field he’s making plays. I’m excited he’s on our team. His work ethic is through the roof. Great to see him out there balling.”

Now standing at 6-2, the Seahawks expect to keep balling. 

Commanders' nightmare loss to Seahawks continues to get worse with more unfortunate injury updates

The season is officially over for the Washington Commanders, and the nightmare somehow continues after the worst night in recent memory for this franchise.

The Commanders got blown out at home in primetime during a night that was supposed to be special with the throwback uniforms and Art Monk jersey retirement, but it turned into fans leaving in the middle of the second quarter, and a gruesome injury. You can move on from a loss, but seeing Jayden Daniels go down with a severe elbow injury was gut-wrenching.

Daniels' injury wasn't the only significant injury last night, as the hits continue with two more season-ending injuries

Luke McCaffrey suffers a season-ending injury

The game barely started before the Commanders suffered yet another injury, and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey went down after returning the opening kickoff. He went down awkwardly on his left side, which is now being diagnosed as a broken collarbone that will have him out for the rest of the year.

McCaffrey was starting to really find his role in the offense and special teams, and now his season comes to an end. He was second in the league in kickoff return yards with 769, and also averaged 18.5 yards per catch. The Commanders turned to McCaffrey after injuries to Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, and he was showing a lot of promise with multiple tough catches.

He should be part of the offense next season, but another injury just shows even more how badly this team needs help at the position. The Commanders added Treylon Burks and hope to get a roster win from him, but major changes need to happen with McLaurin and Brown injured, and Deebo Samuel not under contract next season. The defense is another conversation, and they lost another starter for the rest of the season.

Marshon Lattimore is feared to have torn an ACL

The defense was an embarrassment once again, with the Seahawks blowing the team out before halftime, and it never got any better. Busted coverage and wide-open explosive plays were all over the field, and major changes need to happen on and off the field. It got even worse for Marshon Lattimore, who went down with an injury that is feared to be a torn ACL.

There's no easy way to put it, but it was a nightmare night for Lattimore. He played really well last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, but it's time to admit that this trade was a massive swing and a miss by Adam Peters. It's unfortunate to see the season go down like this for Laittmore in what is very likely his last game with the Commanders. He's under contract for next season as well, but I don't expect him to be here after the defense faces an overhaul this offseason, if not sooner.

Injuries have been the biggest headline of the season with multiple starters suffering long-term injuries, and the roster honestly needs an overhaul as well. It will be a long rest of the season, with a massive offseason coming up.

Continue reading