Jaxon Smith-Njigba shattering all expectations in 3rd season with Seahawks
This was expected to be the year that Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba truly showed what his potential would be in the NFL. The 2023 No. 20 overall pick broke out in 2024, and he was slated to be the top receiving option after the departures of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
However, through five games, Smith-Njigba has completely shattered any realistic expectations that existed for his third season in the league.
Smith-Njigba is at or near the top of the league in multiple receiving statistics, including fifth in receptions (34), second in receiving yards (534) and first in receptions of at least 20 yards (10). But he's also been the most efficient receiver in the NFL on a down-to-down basis.
Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs the ball during the first half against San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field. / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
According to Sumer Sports, Smith-Njigba has run just 129 routes this season, which ranked 55th in the league. His 4.14 yards per route run is by far the highest figure in the league among pass-catchers with at least 50 routes on the season.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is second at 3.95 yards per per route run. It then drops all the way to Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua at 3.61. Only four receivers are averaging above 3 yards per route run at this point in the season.
Smith-Njigba is blowing them out of the water.
It also shows how efficient the Seahawks' passing offense has been in 2025. Smith-Njigba's 55th-ranked target figure comes with a 33.08% target share — the second-highest in the league behind Nacua.
The fact that Smith-Njigba has been producing as much as he has with fewer opportunities than most top-end receivers explains how surgical he has been. He's been by far the biggest difference maker for a surprise Seahawks offense under Klint Kubiak.
Currently, Smith-Njigba is on pace for 115 catches, 1,815 yards and seven touchdowns. That would completely crush Metcalf's single-season franchise record of 83 catches for 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns set in 2020.
Smith-Njigba is also the third-highest graded wide receiver by PFF (90.2 grade), narrowly behind Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in second (90.3). Nacua (92.9) leads all receivers in PFF grading.
When Sam Darnold needs a big play, Smith-Njigba has come down with it almost every time. His rapid growth year over year has been impressive, and he's a player that Seahawks fans have to hope sticks around for a long time.
Falcons Michael Penix Jr. shares exclusive tips from Drake Maye on how to dismantle the Bills' defense
The Atlanta Falcons were one of a handful of teams to receive the earliest bye week of the 2025 season in Week 5. Now on deck for Atlanta is what could be one of their toughest tests of the year when the Buffalo Bills come to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Monday Night Football.
The Falcons are coming off a Week 4 win over the Washington Commanders to get back to .500 (2-2), while the Bills (4-1) were upset at home by the New England Patriots. Make no mistake, Atlanta will be watching plenty of film from that Patriots victory, hoping to find the edge to beat one of the AFC’s best.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. told reporters on October 9 that he paid close attention to how Drake Maye helped lead New England to the 23-20 win on Sunday Night Football against their AFC East rival.
Penix said “playing smart football and controlling the game” was the biggest takeaway he took from Maye’s performance.
“He [Penix] says taking care of the football will be important,” Falcons writer Will McFadden reported.
Maye arguably played the best game of his young career, sustaining drives and making key decisions despite not having a touchdown pass. He finished 22 of 30 for 273 yards with no turnovers and a passer rating of 101.1.
Asked Michael Penix Jr. two things I think are at the top of every #Falcons fan's mind:1. Did this bye week come at a good or bad time?2. How do they keep the momentum up offensively coming out of this bye week Monday against Buffalo? 👇
Catch more this week on @FOX5Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/ICwib3N85q
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) October 9, 2025
Falcons, Michael Penix Jr. Know All About Turnovers
Penix had a bounce-back game against Washington in Week 4, leading the Falcons to a 34-27 win. It was a career-best outing, as he completed 20 of 26 passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also fumbled once, though it was recovered.
That performance was a complete turnaround from the previous week, when the Falcons were routed 30-0 by the Carolina Panthers. Penix threw for only 172 yards with two interceptions—one returned for a touchdown—and no scores, raising questions about whether veteran backup Kirk Cousins should get another chance.
Most of that came from Cousins entering the game to start the fourth quarter after Penix’s pick-six. However, head coach Raheem Morris quickly shut down any speculation leading up to the Commanders game.
“Kirk lost his job last year. We’re not even close to that with Mike [Penix],” Morris said. “He had a bad day. We had a bad day. Mike is our quarterback. We got a lot of confidence in Mike. We’re moving forward with Mike. Mike’s the guy.”
Josh Allen Comes Atlanta For First Time
Penix will have his work cut out for him Monday night against counterpart Josh Allen. The reigning MVP is once again having a terrific season, keeping Buffalo among the league’s best teams.
The one advantage for Penix will be playing in front of a home crowd in Atlanta, and it’s multi-faceted. It will be Allen’s first game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and only his second overall against the Falcons. His first came back in January 2022, when Buffalo won 29-15.
That day wasn’t Allen’s best, though. He went 11 of 26 for 120 yards with three interceptions, no touchdowns and a passer rating of just 17.0.
“It was bucket list to visit all 32 [NFL stadiums] as a kid,” Allen said. “So, I guess this is the way to do that.”
Josh Allen said it was a 'bucket list' as a kid, to visit all 32 NFL Stadiums.
Monday Night, he'll get to check off another one playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The only other stadium he hasn't been to… Levi Stadium in San Francisco #BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus pic.twitter.com/jE5Wia9rP7
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) October 9, 2025
