Key moments and standouts:
– Sam Darnold, who barely practiced this week due to an oblique issue, exploded for 346 yards and 3 TDs despite the adversity.
– Jaxon Smith-Njigba sparked the win with his first TD catch of the night and finished with a monster 10 receptions, 153 yards, and a TD.
– Smith-Njigba is having a breakout year after the DK Metcalf/Tyler Lockett era, finishing the regular season with 119 catches, 1,793 yards, and 10 TDs. He led the league in yards-per-target among receivers with at least 50 catches and earned PFWA Offensive Player of the Year recognition.
– In a historic night, Smith-Njigba passed Justin Jefferson for the most receiving yards ever by a 23-or-younger player (including playoffs).
– He also joined a rare club as the 5th player with 10 receptions, 150+ receiving yards, and a TD in a conference championship game (joining Julio Jones, Pierre Garcon, Ike Hilliard, Michael Irvin).
Tom Brady even weighed in, naming Smith-Njigba his Player of the Game and calling the performance “unbelievable.” JSN credited the journey and the team’s culture, emphasizing the offseason work and leadership around him.
Next up: Seattle travels to San Francisco to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks believe they can cap this ride with a Lombardi Trophy. 🔥🏈🏆
