One of the biggest bright spots in an otherwise disappointing loss for the Seahawks was the play of second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who not only had the best game of his career, but also one of the best by a receiver in franchise history.
Smith-Njigba finished Sunday's game with seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns, which is tied for the fourth-highest yardage total by a Seahawks pass-catcher behind Steve Largent (261), Tyler Lockett (200), Largent again (191), and tied with John L. Williams (180). Largent and Lockett are the only other players with multiple touchdowns and 180 or more receiving yards.
And as NFL Next Gen Stats illustrates, Smith-Njigba's big game was the result of the Seahawks utilizing him as a downfield threat. Prior to Sunday's loss to the Rams, Smith-Njigba had no catches this season on five targets of 20-plus air yards, but in that game, he had three catches on five deep targets, gaining 99 yards and one of his two touchdowns. Those numbers would have been even more impressive had receptions of 40 and 38 yards not been negated by holding calls.
Smith-Njigba also accounted for 69.2 percent of the Seahawks' team air yards, the highest share in a game by a Seahawks receiver since Tyler Lockett accounted for 69.7 percent in Week 2 of the 2022 season.
"I thought he was lights out," quarterback Geno Smith said. "He had about 200 yards today. He was all over the place. He played with extreme fire shoot man. He was just doing his thing. That's who he is, and we've got to continue to build on that. He's a guy who's only going to get better and really appreciate playing with him."
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Dee Williams (33) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Dee Williams (33) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks free safety Jerrick Reed II (32), Seahawks cornerback Dee Williams (33), and Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (98) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) and Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) and Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) and Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (98) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) and Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks free safety Coby Bryant (8) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
