Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Quiet Start Sparks Big Questions in Seahawks’ Biggest Game
If you tuned in expecting fireworks from Jaxon Smith-Njigba right away in Week 18, you weren’t alone. All season long, he’s been the most productive receiver in the NFL, and yet the opening moments against the San Francisco 49ers felt unusually quiet. Naturally, the big question started making the rounds almost immediately: is Jaxon Smith-Njigba even playing tonight?
The simple answer is yes, he’s on the field. But football games, especially ones this massive, don’t always follow the script. Seattle’s opening drive ended deep in 49ers territory without a single catch from Smith-Njigba, which made it feel like something was off. In reality, it was more about circumstances than concern. The Seahawks turned the ball over on downs inside the five-yard line, cutting that first possession short before their star receiver could really get involved.
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What makes the slow start so noticeable is just how dominant Smith-Njigba has been all season. Coming into Week 18, he led the entire league with 1,709 receiving yards, while also sitting near the top in catches and touchdowns. That kind of production doesn’t disappear overnight, especially not in the most important game of the regular season.
This matchup carries enormous weight. The Seahawks and 49ers are battling not just for the NFC West title, but also for the No. 1 seed in the entire conference. Emotions are already high, and they were turned up even more after 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir publicly called out Smith-Njigba, saying he wants to shadow him in man-to-man coverage. That kind of talk adds fuel to the fire, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect how San Francisco actually plays defense.
The 49ers are largely a zone-based team, which means Smith-Njigba won’t be followed everywhere he goes. Still, when those two do line up across from each other, it’s expected to be must-see football. History suggests Smith-Njigba can handle it. In the first meeting between these teams back in Week 1, he caught nine passes for 124 yards, even though his direct matchups with Lenoir were limited.
So while the early silence might have raised eyebrows, it shouldn’t raise alarms. Big-time receivers often start slow before flipping the switch, especially in games packed with pressure and playoff stakes. Smith-Njigba has earned the benefit of the doubt, and as the night goes on, it’s widely expected that the Seahawks will find ways to get the ball back into the hands of the league’s most dangerous wideout.
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