The Seattle Seahawks enter their Week 9 Sunday Night Football matchup against the Washington Commanders riding an impressive wave of momentum. At 5-2 and fresh off a bye week, the Seahawks have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders in what has been a wide-open NFC landscape. As they prepare to face a struggling 3-5 Commanders squad in Landover, one player stands above the rest as the key to Seattle's success: wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The second-year wideout has transformed from promising prospect to bona fide superstar in 2025, and his dominance couldn't come at a better time against a Washington secondary that has been exposed repeatedly this season. Smith-Njigba leads the entire NFL with 819 receiving yards through just seven games, despite not even playing in Week 8 during Seattle's bye. His 117.0 yards per game average has been remarkably consistent, with his season low being 79 yards and six games with 96 or more receiving yards.
What makes Smith-Njigba the X-factor for this crucial NFC showdown extends beyond mere statistics. The matchup presents a perfect storm for the Seahawks' top weapon to completely take over the game, potentially delivering a performance that could define Seattle's season.
A Historic Mismatch in the Making
The Commanders' secondary enters this contest as one of the most vulnerable units in the NFL, creating an ideal scenario for Smith-Njigba to exploit. Washington ranks 26th in pass defense, allowing 244 yards per game through the air, and their struggles defending explosive plays have been well-documented. The Commanders have surrendered the most yards per attempt in the entire league while ranking 30th in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus.
This represents a rare 1-versus-32 matchup: the Seahawks lead the NFL in yards per pass attempt while the Commanders rank dead last on defense. Even more troubling for Washington, they've allowed five different receivers to eclipse the 100-yard mark this season, with CeeDee Lamb, Tre Tucker, and Drake London all finding success against this porous secondary.
The Commanders' cornerback situation has deteriorated significantly throughout the season. Marshon Lattimore, acquired via trade last year with high expectations, has been “victimized repeatedly in almost every game,” though he did show signs of life with a strong interception against Kansas City. Mike Sainristil, the slot corner, has struggled with missed tackles and physical matchups despite his toughness, while the entire interior secondary is undersized and vulnerable.
Washington's defensive backfield features three interior defensive backs who all weigh under 200 pounds, an almost unprecedented situation that has led to consistent breakdowns in coverage and tackling. This size disadvantage becomes magnified when facing a technically sound route-runner like Smith-Njigba, who excels at creating separation and making defenders miss in space.
The Sam Darnold Connection
The chemistry between quarterback Sam Darnold and Smith-Njigba has been one of the NFL's most productive partnerships in 2025. Darnold has thrown for 1,754 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while completing 68.2% of his passes through seven games. His ability to push the ball downfield has been a perfect complement to Smith-Njigba's route-running prowess, and the Commanders' defense ranks among the worst in the league at defending deep passes.
SAM DARNOLD. JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA. OH MY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jUbNkX9sBM
— PFF (@PFF) October 5, 2025
Darnold has received an elite 91.1 grade from Pro Football Focus through the first month of the season, demonstrating his decision-making and accuracy have been exceptional. The eighth-year veteran has taken excellent care of the football, and his connection with Smith-Njigba has been particularly devastating on third downs, where JSN has been the go-to receiver on third-and-long situations.
The Seahawks' passing offense currently ranks ninth in the NFL at 252.7 yards per game, but those numbers could explode against Washington's vulnerable secondary. With Cooper Kupp providing a credible second option and drawing attention as a former Super Bowl MVP, Smith-Njigba should see favorable one-on-one matchups throughout the contest. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak can confidently target Smith-Njigba against any of the Commanders' cornerbacks with full confidence in winning those battles.
Mike Macdonald's Defensive Support
While Smith-Njigba is the offensive X-factor, the Seahawks' defense under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald provides the foundation that allows Seattle to play with confidence. The Seahawks defense ranks sixth in points allowed per game (19.4), fourth in points allowed per drive (1.60), and sixth in EPA per play. This defensive excellence means that if Smith-Njigba and the offense can build an early lead, the Seahawks can sit back and watch their defense suffocate a Commanders offense that has struggled mightily when forced to play from behind.
The Commanders are 0-2 this season when rushing for fewer than 100 yards, and they've lost every game when they rush for fewer than 163 yards. Seattle hasn't allowed more than 89 yards rushing since Week 1, presenting a nightmare scenario for Washington's offensive game plan. If the Seahawks force rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels—who may still be limited by his rib injury—to beat them through the air while dealing with constant pressure, the game could get out of hand quickly.
Macdonald's defense leads the NFL with the fewest yards allowed to running backs (402) and the lowest yards per attempt (3.0), making it nearly impossible for the Commanders to establish their preferred run-heavy approach. This means Washington will be forced into obvious passing situations, where Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks' pass rush can pin their ears back and attack.
The Seahawks are coming out of their bye week potentially at full strength defensively for the first time all season, with cornerback Devon Witherspoon and edge rusher Derick Hall expected to return. This defensive reinforcement only amplifies Seattle's advantages and puts even more pressure on the Commanders to keep pace offensively—a tall task against a Seahawks unit that has been one of the league's best.
For the Seattle Seahawks to continue their impressive run and maintain their position atop the NFC West, Jaxon Smith-Njigba must deliver another dominant performance on Sunday Night Football. The matchup against Washington's struggling secondary presents the perfect opportunity for the NFL's leading receiver to cement his status as one of the game's elite playmakers. With Sam Darnold finding his rhythm, Cooper Kupp providing veteran savvy, and Mike Macdonald's defense stifling opponents, all the pieces are in place for Smith-Njigba to be the difference-maker in primetime. If he can exploit Washington's defensive vulnerabilities as expected, the Seahawks should cruise to victory and further establish themselves as legitimate NFC contenders.
