LANDOVER, Md.—Almost ten minutes into his postgame press conference, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald was asked his first question about receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the NFL's leading receiver who had just become the first player in franchise history to record four consecutive 100-yard receiving games.
So routine is Smith-Njiba's greatness this season, people tend to forget to talk about it.
In a season full of standout performances, Smith-Njigba was able to do it again on Sunday night, catching eight passes for 129 yards in a 38-14 win over the Commanders, a team that knew full well that Smith-Njigba would be a focal point of the offense, especially with Cooper Kupp out, and a team that still couldn't stop Seattle's standout receiver.
With Sunday's big performance, Smith-Njigba not only became the first Seahawks receiver with four straight 100-yard games, he also tied Steve Largent for the most 100-yard games in a season (6), doing so with nine games left on the schedule.
"It's remarkable," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "And I think I don't know the stat, but it seems like it's the first time we've done it for our team. Let's keep doing it, and it's only three-quarters of the work. So, team football. I mean, it's either like it feels like it's almost like he's the catalyst to spark somebody else that gets open, or if the run game is working. That sets it up for Jax. Just feels like it's complementary right now. When his number is called, he's coming through. It's tremendous. In my opinion, one of the biggest game plays of the game was the first play of the two-minute (in the first half). Coming out, getting the ball moving, in a situation where if we don't complete that pass, Washington might get the ball back, and now you're talking about a different type of football game. But being able to answer that touchdown with points was really critical for us."