The Seattle Seahawks’ NFC West showdown against the San Francisco 49ers came down to the wire, and for once, Jaxon Smith-Njigba wasn’t the hero. The star wide receiver, who has been Sam Darnold’s most trusted weapon all season, found himself in a make-or-break moment late in the fourth quarter. With the game on the line, JSN couldn’t come through.
On a critical third-down throw, Darnold delivered a pass that should have been an easy completion. But Smith-Njigba, usually as reliable as they come, let it slip through his fingers. The drop effectively ended Seattle’s chances, as the ensuing play saw Cooper Kupp unable to convert on fourth down. San Francisco walked away undefeated, while the Seahawks suffered their second loss of the year.
After the game, the first-team All-Pro didn’t shy away from accountability. He pointed the finger squarely at himself.
“I guess I was thinking too much at that time,” Smith-Njigba said. “Just needed to play free and catch the ball at the end of the day. I had the chance to catch the ball, so really just catch the ball. Catch the (expletive) football at the end of the day. I know I’ll make the next one.”
It’s that kind of raw honesty that has endeared JSN to Seahawks fans, even in defeat. He’s not one to make excuses, and his teammates know he’ll bounce back. But the sting of this one will linger, especially given how much was riding on the game.
The loss puts Seattle at 2-2 on the season, while the 49ers remain perfect. The NFC West is shaping up to be a gauntlet, and every game matters. The Seahawks can’t afford to dwell on this one for long, though—they’ve got a quick turnaround.
Quick Turnaround for Seattle
Seattle will be back on the field Thursday night, traveling to Denver to face the Broncos in a Thursday Night Football matchup. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. E.T., with the game airing live on Amazon Prime. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call.
The Broncos are coming off a tough stretch themselves, so this is a winnable game for the Seahawks—but only if they can shake off the disappointment of Sunday. JSN will surely be looking to redeem himself, and you can bet Darnold will go back to him early and often.
For fans, the aftermath of Sunday’s game has been a whirlwind of emotions. From emotional moments on NFL Countdown to debates about controversial calls, the league never sleeps. But for Seattle, the focus is purely on getting back on track.
Smith-Njigba’s drop was a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar season. He’s been a force all year, and his ability to shake off mistakes is one of his greatest strengths. As he said, he knows he’ll make the next one—and Seahawks fans should believe him.
The Thursday night clash with Denver will be a true test of Seattle’s resilience. If JSN can put this behind him and deliver in a prime-time spot, the narrative will shift quickly. But for now, he’s shouldering the blame, and that’s exactly what a leader does.
