SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Over the past two games, the rest of the NFL world is learning what cornerback Devon Witherspoon already knew about receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba, simply put, can be a game-changing receiver.
A year ago, while Witherspoon was on his way Pro-Bowl honors and Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration, Smith-Njigba enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, but not a spectacular one. Still, Witherspoon never passed at an opportunity to hype up his friend fellow first-round pick, and now this season, and especially the past two games, Smith-Njigba is starting to blossom into a star.
On Sunday, Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes for 110 yards in Seattle's 20-17 win over the 49ers, and most importantly, he had four of those catches for 38 yards on the 80-yard game-winning drive, which ended on a Geno Smith 13-yard touchdown run.
"I'm always supporting my dog," Witherspoon said. "Like I said last year, I know a lot of people talk about stats, but y'all don't see what I see. His potential last year, he's just living up to it. He's just doing his thing right now."
Sunday was Smith-Njigba's third 100-yard game of the season, and his second in a row, following a monster game against the Rams before the bye in which he had seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns, with two more long catches called back for holding penalties. With 290 yards in his last two games, Smith-Njigba has the third-highest two-game receiving total in franchise history behind Steve Largent, who had 317 yards in back-to-back games in 1987, and 295 in 1984.
"Jaxon is such a special player," Smith said. "His confidence is growing. He can do so many great things out there, he's got such a feel for the game. He knows how to play. He's so young, but he's just a professional in every sense of the word. As long as he continues to work the way that he does, he's got a tremendous future. I think he can be one of the best in this game. He's showing it. He's so tough, he blocks, he catches, he runs after catch, and then he's just a great teammate."
Smith-Njigba downplayed his big numbers, saying, "Just seizing the opportunity, that's it."
But he did acknowledge that he's enjoys having his number called in those late-game situations, as was also evident in his rookie season when he had two game-winning touchdowns in the final minute of wins over the Browns and Eagles.
"I love those moments," he said. "I can tell you that. I love making those plays when we need it, when it's time. I love to show up for my team, whenever they ask, whenever they need me, I'm there."
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald called Smith-Njigba's performance, "Big-time." Adding. "It's great, because they're happening within the flow of the progressions, and I think Geno feels like, late in the down, that Jax is going to find a way to get open, so they're building a cool chemistry that we can keep the ball moving and converting on some of those big-time medium-range conversions."
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks free safety Coby Bryant (8), Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20), and Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29), Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21), Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48), and Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) and Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
