Seahawks’ Sam Darnold gets confident Jaxon Smith-Njigba endorsement after beating Jaguars
Sam Darnold earned a ringing endorsement from his best weapon after the Seattle Seahawks’ gritty 20-12 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s praise felt like more than just media talk.
Smith-Njigba called Darnold the kind of quarterback “you want to believe in,” saying, “He’s gonna show up and play his game, that he’s prepared throughout the week. And he knows all the looks, he knows all the plays, and he’s not gonna force anything.” The receiver added that Darnold does “all the things you want to believe in your quarterback,” a sentiment Gregg Bell of The News Tribune captured on video after the game.
The words matched production. Sam Darnold completed big throws and managed the clock, finishing with 295 passing yards and two touchdowns while avoiding turnovers, precisely the control the Seahawks needed in a low-scoring, physical affair. The offense got its signature play when Darnold hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a 61-yard touchdown that broke the game open.
Smith-Njigba finished as the match’s focal point, as he has done time and again this season. Hauling in eight catches for 162 yards. His route running and ability to separate on vertical throws forced Jacksonville to account for him on every snap, and that attention opened opportunities for teammates.
But make no mistake, Seattle’s defense carried this win. The unit harassed Trevor Lawrence all afternoon, racking up seven sacks and holding the Jaguars to just 59 rushing yards. Those stops turned potential Jacksonville drives into punts and short fields, giving Darnold and the offense cleaner chances to flip the field.
Coach Mike Macdonald got the balance he preaches. The Seahawks improved to 4-2 and extended their road streak, but more important is the confidence growth. Darnold’s steady game management buys the team margin for error in tighter contests.
For Smith-Njigba, the postgame praise was a sign that the rapport between the QB and his WR1 is just getting better. He and Darnold showed they can win a game when the team turns to them. If Seattle wants to keep climbing in a crowded NFC West, it will need more performances like this: Darnold making smart decisions, Smith-Njigba making plays when counted on, and the defense finishing the job. That trio delivered Sunday to close out a dangerous Jaguars side.
Buccaneers Close to Final Decision on $100 Million Pro Bowl QB Baker Mayfield
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t going anywhere without 2-time Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield this season, so when he needs a little time off during the week to recover from whatever punishment he’s endured, there’s probalby always going to be a little bit of agita among the fanbase.
Such was the case this week as Mayfield was dealing with a biceps injury but returned to practice on Friday ahead of an unbeaten showdown with the visiting Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.
“Baker Mayfield is back throwing again,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account on September 26. “Bit of relief there for Bucs as he works through a biceps injury. Logan Hall also back practicing today, so he’s back in play for Sunday.”
How Mayfield looks throwing the ball these next few days will be huge in determining his availability against the Eagles but common sense tells us Mayfield would move Heaven and Earth to be on the field Sunday.
While Mayfield was still listed as questionable, his availability didn’t seem to be in doubt from the perspective of head coach Todd Bowles.
“Chris Godwin & Tristan Wirfs were both full participants today and listed as questionable for Sunday,” Tampa Bay Fox 13 TV reporter Sean Barie wrote on X. “Baker Mayfield also listed as ‘questionable’ but Todd Bowles said he ‘should be okay for Sunday.’ ”
Buccaneers Have Other Major Injury Concerns
The Buccaneer have had what seems like a rolling list of injury concerns from the moment they met for training camp at the end of July.
That starts with Godwin and Wirfs, who have yet to play a game this year — godwin actually hasn’t played a game since Week 7 of the 2024 season when he suffered a dislocated left ankle against the Baltimore Ravens.
Wirfs had to undergo minor surgery on his knee during training camp but is reported to be practicing pain free headed into the game against the Eagles.
Starting wide receiver Jalen McMillan suffered a severely sprained neck in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 16 and will miss the first 8 games, at least, after scoring 7 touchdowns in the last 5 games to close out last season.
Starting guard Cody Mauch is out for the season after he injured his knee in Week 2 against the Houston Texans. Starting right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke is on injured reserve after hurting his foot against the Texans.
Then, finally, the biggest blow — starting wide receiver and NFL All-Pro Mike Evans will miss multiple games with a hamstring injury suffered in a Week 3 win over the New York Jets. It’s the second season in a row Evans will miss time because of an injured hamstring.
Mayfield, Bucs Have Already Made NFL History
The Buccaneers and Mayfield have already made NFL history just 3 games into the 2025 regular season.
Tampa Bay’s 3-0 start has come with 3 consecutive fourth quarter comebacks, making them the first team to start their season with 3 fourth quarter rallies since the AFL-NFL Merger in 1970.
One downside? The Buccaneers’ 3 wins have come against teams that are a combined 1-8.
