The reigning AP offensive player of the year just showed why he earned the honor.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba scored a 45-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to tie the 2026 season opener at 10-10.
After Drake Maye tossed his first interception of the year on a jump ball to Romeo Doubs, the Seahawks didn’t take long to get in the end zone for the first time this season. Facing fourth-and-1 in New England territory, quarterback Drew Lock — playing for the injured Sam Darnold — made a quick fake on a handoff and sent a short pass on the left side to a wide-open Smith-Njigba.
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But from there, the receiver did the rest, turning on the burners to evade defenders for a 45-yard score.
Smith-Njigba gained 41 yards after the catch.
The fourth-year receiver now has seven catches for 111 yards with a TD