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01/26 16:44 CST Jaxon Smith-Njigba has a star turn as he helps carry the
Seahawks to the Super Bowl
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has a star turn as he helps carry the Seahawks to the Super
Bowl
By ANDREW DESTIN
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) --- Jaxon Smith-Njigba made plenty of spectacular plays during the
best season by a wide receiver in Seattle Seahawks history, so it wasn't a
shock that he added another highlight during the NFC championship game.
Nonetheless, the one-handed catch Smith-Njigba made late in the first quarter
of Sunday's 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams was among his most incredible
this season. Sam Darnold scrambled to his left and made a throw toward the
sideline, and Smith-Njigba hauled in the pass with his right hand before
tiptoeing both feet inbounds.
"I didn't think I could catch it with two hands," Smith-Njigba said, "so just
whatever it takes for us to get the job done I'm going to do. If I have to
catch it with my toe, finger, it doesn't matter, just reach out and catch the
ball."
Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards at 1,793 and was fourth in
receptions at 119, but his production tapered off down the stretch.
After he had six games of 100 or more yards in the Seahawks' first eight,
Smith-Njigba was limited to one 100-yard game over Seattle's final six of the
regular season.
But against the Rams and their struggling secondary, Smith-Njigba was all but
unstoppable. He finished with 10 catches for 153 yards, including a leaping,
42-yard grab where he held on after a huge hit from Kam Curl.
"I'm not really surprised at this point anymore about some of the stuff that
Jax does on a football field," Darnold said. "He's a great player."
Smith-Njigba's individual accolades included a unanimous first-team All-Pro
selection. But the third-year player said the biggest reward is the opportunity
to play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.
"This is better than any individual award or goal that I had in mind,"
Smith-Njigba said. "This is the ultimate goal that we've had: Get to the Super
Bowl, win the Super Bowl. This feeling is something that I can't really
explain. I'm just super proud of everyone involved."
What's working Kenneth Walker III did just fine carrying the load without fellow running back Zach Charbonnet, who is out for the rest of the playoffs with a knee injury. Walker had 19 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown and four receptions for 49 yards against the Rams. What needs help The taunting penalty by cornerback Riq Woolen on Sunday was his third such flag this season. This time, it led to a Rams touchdown on the next play. Woolen owned up to his mistake, but the Seahawks may not be so fortunate if he loses his cool again in the Super Bowl against New England. Stock up Wide receiver Jake Bobo had his first touchdown catch since Jan. 25, 2025, which also came against the Rams. It was just the fourth TD reception of Bobo's three-year career. During the playoffs, Bobo has as many catches (two) as he did during the regular season. Stock down Run defense. The Seahawks gave up 479 yards to the Rams, including 114 yards rushing. The Rams had 114 yards or more on the ground in all three games against Seattle this season. Injuries Fullback Brady Russell suffered a hand injury during the second half on Sunday and did not return. Linebacker Drake Thomas injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter and did not return. Key number 346 --- Passing yards by Darnold in the NFC championship game, his most of the season. The last time he exceeded that total was on Dec. 29, 2024, for the Minnesota Vikings. Next steps The Seahawks will face the Patriots in Super Bowl 60 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It will be Seattle's fourth Super Bowl appearance, and first in 11 years. The Seahawks are 1-2 in the Super Bowl. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl |
