In a game where every eye should’ve been locked on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks somehow made the NFL’s leading receiver look invisible-at least to the Rams’ defense. And that sleight of hand might’ve been the difference in Seattle’s NFC Championship win on Sunday, a 153-yard, 10-catch performance from Smith-Njigba that sent the Seahawks to Super Bowl 60.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a case of JSN simply out-athleting defenders-though he did plenty of that, too. This was a masterclass in offensive design and execution, with a heavy dose of misdirection courtesy of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
The Rams had faced Seattle twice already this season. They knew what Smith-Njigba could do.
And still, he found himself wide open in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown just before halftime, flipping a three-point deficit into a four-point Seattle lead with 20 seconds left in the second quarter. That lead?
It held the rest of the way.
So how does a defense lose track of the league’s top receiver in the biggest game of their season? According to former Seahawks wideout Bryan Walters, it starts with alignment.
“You saw JSN in the backfield a little bit,” Walters said during the Seahawks’ radio broadcast. “First couple plays, he’s lined up as a running back next to Sam Darnold.
That does things to fool the defense. It’s easier to get lost.”
And get lost, the Rams did. On the touchdown play, Smith-Njigba motioned out of the backfield, and the Rams’ coverage broke down.
One safety assumed the cornerback had him. The corner thought the safety was responsible.
Nobody did. Darnold didn’t miss.
That wrinkle-putting JSN in the backfield-wasn’t just a one-off trick. According to Pro Football Focus, the Seahawks lined him up there 11 times during the regular season.
For context, he had just eight total backfield snaps across his first two NFL seasons combined. It’s a subtle tweak, but one that paid off in a huge moment.
And it’s a prime example of why Kubiak’s offense has clicked in Year 1-and why his name is popping up in head coaching searches around the league.
“That’s kind of the brilliance in the play calling,” Walters added. “You put your star in a spot that can fool the defense. You know they’re keying on JSN, but if you can force miscommunication-especially at Lumen Field-then you’re going to get plays like that.”
This wasn’t just a big game for Smith-Njigba. It was a statement.
The Rams had seen him twice already. They knew the damage he could do.
And still, he torched them. That’s not just talent-that’s scheme, preparation, and execution all working in sync.
Seattle’s headed to the Super Bowl, and JSN is a big reason why. If Sunday was any indication, the Seahawks aren’t just riding a hot hand-they’re playing chess while defenses are still trying to figure out the board.