If you didn't notice in the Seattle Seahawks' 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers this past weekend, Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn't go over 100 yards receiving. In fact, he fell short by 24 yards after posting 122, 155, and 128 yards in the first three games of the season.
It was farther than a long shot that Smith-Njigba would hit the 100-yard mark or more in all 17 games, but Seahawks fans were likely hoping in unison to see it happen against the Chargers for a fourth game in a row. It didn't happen, and the Seahawks not only still won, but put up 30 points in the process.
One question surrounding this Seahawks offense early in the season was how much they could lean on their star wideout before it stopped working. Well, if Week 4 showed us anything, it’s that Seattle is still capable of scoring and winning while riding on someone else's shoulders, and that's a good sign for the remainder of the season.
The Seattle Seahawks proved those not named Jaxon Smith-Njigba can win games offensively
It wasn't the greatest performance by Sam Darnold, so Jaxon Smith-Njigba's lowered production has to be factored in. If Darnold had posted better numbers than 168 passing yards and just 13 completions, Smith-Njigba may very well have gone over 100 receiving yards at the end of the day.
Darnold had the game he had, though, which was a mixed bag of good and not-so-good, but at least Emanuel Wilson got to shine. Three different Seahawks found themselves standing in the end zone against the Chargers, and Wilson led the team by getting there twice, once as a rusher and once as a receiver.
Wilson, who wasn't guaranteed a roster spot two months ago, led the Seahawks on the ground and second behind Smith-Njigba through the air (81 rushing yards, 39 receiving yards). Additionally, Rashid Shaheed had his best game of the season, despite posting still-low production, but was effective when targeted. He also scored a touchdown as a rusher.
Tory Horton also found the endzone on a six-yard catch, his only one of the game. Overall, it wasn't the explosive offense Seahawks fans are accustomed to. No pass catcher had more than one reception, and no one outside of Smith-Njigba hit the 50-yard mark.
That said, the win showed that, despite the low offensive numbers, Darnold didn't have to force-feed Smith-Njigba to give the Seahawks a chance to pull out a win. The All-Pro wideout accounted for a record 36% of all targets last year, but has jumped to 39% this year. Darnold would have been within his rights to force the football to Smith-Njigba, but put up 30 points and targeted him just six times.
Another positive takeaway is Shaheed. His 28-yard scamper to the end zone showed exactly how dangerous he can be when used properly. That run displayed his agility and speed, something the Seahawks have not done on the offensive side of the ball with Shaheed since they acquired him last year. If they can find more ways to use him like that, Seattle's offense is all the more dangerous.
For the first time this season, multiple players found the end zone besides Smith-Njigba, helping them win an important game the same weekend the Los Angeles Rams improved to 2-2, and the San Francisco 49ers remained undefeated. Seattle is now 3-1, thanks to production from their other playmakers.
Now they know: Getting the football to Smith-Njigba is a great recipe for winning, but other recipes work too.
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