The Seattle Seahawks grinded out a 27-19 win over the Houston Texans in a strange game where it seemed they were entirely in control, yet they constantly made mistakes.
The Seahawks turned the football over four times, compared to once for the Texans. Yet, the Seahawks won the time of possession battle 32:17 to 27:43, and out-gained Houston 316 to 254 yards. One player that shone above all the sloppiness, though, was Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba, the emerging superstar, put up eight receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown in what are starting to become routine performances for him. Every time momentum in the game could shift, Smith-Njigba was there for a big catch. No other Seahawks receiver or tight end even had 50 receiving yards, but Smith-Njigba was built to pick up the slack.
Justin Jefferson Like Preparation
Last season with the Minnesota Vikings, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold threw to another superstar wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. Now, with the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the Seahawks as a number one wide receiver this season, naturally, comparisons will be drawn between the two.
In his press conference post the Texans game, Darnold discussed the similarities and differences between Jefferson and Smith-Njigba. Seahawks.com provided the transcript of Darnold’s answer.
“They’re both really, really good players. Great players, if you will. I think they are really different,” Darnold said. “At the end of the day they both know how to get open. I think that’s the only thing that matters. They run routes in different ways. But they understand coverage. They understand the DB they’re going against.
Darnold then discussed how similar the study habits of Jefferson and Smith-Njigba are.
“Again, that’s habits,” Darnold continued. “That’s both of their film study habits they have every single week, understanding the guys that they’re going against, understanding the coverages we’re going to see. I think at the end of the day it’s them just understanding who we’re going against and the preparation that Justin and JSN have during the week.”
Smith-Njigba’s work ethic and preparation have put him in a position for a record-breaking season.
JSN’s Historic Pace
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is on a pace right now to not just shatter Seahawks receiving records, but NFL records as well. DK Metcalf set the Seahawks receiving record with 1,303 receiving yards in 2020, but at 819 receiving yards through seven games, Smith-Njigba has his eyes set on Calvin Johnson.
According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, Smith-Njigba is on pace to break the NFL’s single-season receiving record.
“Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is on pace for 1,989 receiving yards this season — which would break Calvin Johnson’s all-time NFL record of 1,964 yards for a single-season.”
Smith-Njigba, however, is not concerned at the moment with breaking the NFL receiving record or his streak of 100-yard games, but with the overall team’s success. Smith-Njigba discussed this mindset in his post-game press availability following the win against the Texans. Seahawks.com provided the transcript.
“A pretty good start. Like I said, my motive has always been to win games, get into the playoffs, get a ring, helping this team win. Anything that I can do I’m going to do.”
Once again, Smith-Njigba had to help carry the Seahawks’ offense on his back, but through seven weeks, he appears willing and able to carry the weight.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Seahawks Superstar WR Once Again Carries Offense in Win appeared first on Heavy Sports.