Smith-Njigba Dominates Chiefs, Seahawks Retake Lead
The Seattle wideout hauled in 150 yards against Kansas City, marking the first time in franchise history a player has captured over half of team receiving yards since 1975.
By Sienna Foster ·
Seattle fans spent the first seven weeks of the 2026 season questioning whether their team still possessed the identity of last year's champions. The Seahawks entered Sunday Night Football at 3-3, plagued by turnovers and a stagnant rushing attack. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, arrived in Seattle to test those defenses under national television scrutiny.
Seattle dismantled the Chiefs 20-3 in a performance that erased the doubt. The Chiefs failed to reach the red zone, a first for any opponent in a start by Patrick Mahomes. Walker, the league's leading rusher, managed only 36 yards on the ground. The Seahawks defense, which had limited opposing wide receivers to 72 yards or fewer in every game prior, gave up more than double that number to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba recorded nine receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown. He currently accounts for 50.2% of Seattle's receiving yards this season. Only Ken Burrough in 1975 has held a larger share of his team's receiving output since the AFL-NFL merger. Smith-Njigba sits at +450 odds for the Offensive Player of the Year award, trailing only Jahmyr Gibbs and Walker, though no wide receiver has won the honor in consecutive seasons.
Defensive versatility remains a hallmark of Seattle's success, driven by Nick Emmanwori. The linebacker played 11 different positions, including right slot cornerback and outside linebacker. According to Sumer Sports, the Seahawks did not play a single snap of base personnel. Emmanwori also generated the pressure that resulted in an interception of Mahomes while aligned at right linebacker.
In Cincinnati, the Bengals mounted the third-largest comeback in NFL history by a team trailing by 13 points at halftime. Joe Burrow completed 16 of 18 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns in the second half. Tee Higgins hauled in six catches for 148 yards and a touchdown after recording zero receptions in the first period. Higgins has now caught 24 passes in the middle of the field, just 11 short of his career high in only six games.
Los Angeles adapted its offense to the absence of Davante Adams, running the ball 38 times on 55.9% of offensive plays against the Raiders. The Rams secured a 35-21 victory, powered by a 28-3 halftime lead. Kyren Williams rushed for 99 yards on 16 attempts, while Blake Corum added 93 yards on 17 carries. Both running backs scored touchdowns. The Rams employed 13-personnel on half of their snaps, achieving a 68% rushing success rate in that formation.
Houston's defense continued to struggle in a 27-21 loss to the Giants. J.J. McCarthy passed for 252 yards, and the Giants rushed for 188 yards, their highest total in three seasons. The Texans currently rank 25th in defensive rushing success rate, a drop from seventh place last year. They have allowed 29 passes of 20 yards or more, tying them with Detroit for the most in the league. Head coach DeMeco Ryans, who assumed play-calling duties after the 0-4 start, described the current roster as a new team.
Trade deadline speculation has intensified following Week 7. Two of the three undefeated teams, the 49ers and Chiefs, fell. Kansas City has not completed a pass of 20 yards or more since Week 4 and started backup tackles. Minnesota has scored only 10 touchdowns, the fewest in a 6-0 start since 1934. The Bills and Patriots also face questions regarding defensive and offensive line depth, respectively.
Source: CBS Sports
