The Seattle Seahawks took care of business at home against the visiting Arizona Cardinals. It wasn’t pretty, but the most important goal of the afternoon was achieved: win.
Seattle successfully defended home turf from the Cardinals in consecutive years for the first time since the 2010-2011 seasons. I suppose it’s only fitting the final score was 20-10 in favor of the Seahawks.
The Seahawks needed a win to keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams. Fortunately, a win by Seattle and a loss to the Steelers for the Rams helps moves the Seahawks ahead of them in the standings.
It may not have been flashy, but it was a solid win overall. For me, it was all Studs and no Duds from this game.
Before anyone asks, no, I am not putting Geno Smith in the Duds column this week. His two turnovers were bad, but he was fine if not unspectacular the rest of the game. He did move to No. 6 all time in the Seahawks passing touchdown list with his performance. Additionally, Seattle’s red zone offense is still… a work in progress. But this week, we’re going to focus on the positives.
No. 1 Stud - Jaxon Smith-Njigba
I established a rule in Week 3 that states if you catch your first career touchdown it’s an automatic entry as a Stud for the game. So come on down, Jaxon Smigth-Njigba and enjoy for your first appearance on the list!
The first round rookie receiver finally had the breakout game so many were waiting for him to have, and it was a quality one. JSN hauled in 4-of-7 targets thrown his way for a team-leading 63 yards and his first touchdown.
It may be his first appearance, but I highly doubt it will be his last this year.
No. 2 Stud - Jake Bobo
More Bobo, baby! It was a historic day for Seattle’s two rookie wide receivers. For the first time in franchise history, two rookie wide receivers scored a touchdown in the same game… and for both JSN and Jake Bobo, it happened in the same half!
Bobo was second on the team with 61 receiving yards, catching 4-of-5 passes thrown his way. His touchdown will certainly make all the highlight reels, and deservedly so. But what shouldn’t be overlooked is his blocking ability, which helped pave the way for some of JSN’s success on the day.
Seahawks rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is off to the best start he’s had this year.
After catching his first career TD earlier in the 1st, he does a nice job here picking up a 3rd down on a screen.
Also, fellow rookie WR Jake Bobo does a great job clearing it out on the block. pic.twitter.com/iYeDN49EaS
— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) October 22, 2023
No. 3 Stud - Devon Witherspoon
Devon Witherspoon had another helluva performance that technically did not happen. What do I mean by that? Well, Witherspoon had an interception and a sack erased by penalties. But just because those stats aren’t going to go down on the stat sheet doesn’t negate how, once again, the No. 5 overall pick was everywhere on the field.
If Witherspoon was a superhero, he’d be Nightcrawler from the X-Men, as he seemingly teleports anywhere the action is. His instincts for the ball are truly uncanny, and at this point any lingering doubt or questioning him as a draft choice has simply evaporated.
No. 4 Stud - Jordyn Brooks
Seattle’s dynamic duo at linebacker was in full force on Sunday. Both Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner led the team with nine tackles each. But Brooks stood out, even from the great Wagner.
Brooks recorded half a sack, had two tackles for loss, and defended a pass. He is seemingly coming into his own as a legitimate playmaker, something he struggled with at times in his solo season without Wagner last year. Once again, the Seahawks have an elite linebacking corps.
No. 5 Studs - Boye Mafe, Jarran Reed and Darrell Taylor
We’re giving a collective “Stud” ranking to these three pass rushers, as I would simply be saying similar things for all three in separate posts. The Seahawks’ pass rush is alive and well, continuing to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
Darrell Taylor led the team with 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, a tackle for loss and a pass defense. Not to be outdone, Boye Mafe had a sack himself, a tackle for loss and a pass defense as well. Mafe has now recorded a sack in four straight games.
As for Jarran Reed, he is better than ever in his second stint with the Seahawks. Reed had a sack and a tackle for loss against the Cardinals.
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