Tag: Geno Smith

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was consistently open in Week 6

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was consistently open in Week 6

Seattle Seahawks sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba converted nine targets into five receptions and 53 receiving yards in last Thursday’s Week 6 primetime defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Smith-Njigba’s nine targets was the second-highest mark on the Seahawks, trailing just DK Metcalf’s 11, though Tyler Lockett and Kenneth Walker weren’t far behind at eight targets apiece.

It was the third-most targets Smith-Njigba has seen this campaign. The former Ohio State standout saw a career-high 16 targets against the New England Patriots in Week 2, and another 12 targets against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. Recent data indicates he perhaps should have been targeted even more than nine times versus the 49ers.

Smith-Njigba got open on 87.5% of his routes versus the 49ers. That led all receivers across Week 6, according to data collected by Pro Football Focus. PFF’s separation percentage measures how often a receiver defeats coverage. Smith-Njigba was open on seven of eight charted opportunities.

Smith-Njigba currently ranks third on the Seahawks in receiving yards with 310, trailing Metcalf (469) and Lockett (339), though he ranks second in targets with 49, and first in receptions with 34. Starting quarterback Geno Smith has showcased trust in Smith-Njigba’s abilities this season.

Smith-Njigba’s breakout should continue against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

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Turnover deficit has been consistent problem for Seahawks

Turnover deficit has been consistent problem for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks committed three turnovers in Thursday’s Week 6 defeat to their NFC West arch rival San Francisco 49ers. Starting quarterback Geno Smith threw two interceptions. Kick returner Laviska Shenault also lost a fumble on special teams. By comparison, the 49ers played a clean, turnover-free game. It made a sizable difference in a two-score ball game.

The Seahawks have committed 10 turnovers, third-most of any team in the league through Week 6. Meanwhile, head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde have seen their unit force just four takeaways, tied for fifth-worst in the NFL. The minus-6 (-6) differential is tied for third-worst in the league.

Safety Julian Love discussed the turnover issues that have plagued the Seahawks all season long.

“It starts with me on the defense and we have to create more turnovers,” Love said. “We have to get the ball [back to our offense]. Going minus three against a team like this [49ers], you put yourself in a giant hole.”

 

The Seahawks play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Falcons have committed just seven turnovers in six games this campaign. Macdonald and Durde will hope to create turnovers against a fairly disciplined offense.

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Geno Smith still leads the NFL in passing yards

Geno Smith still leads the NFL in passing yards

We are through six weeks on the 2024 NFL season, and no one has thrown for more yards than Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.

On the year, Smith has thrown for 1,778 yards. While his touchdown/interception ratio (6 touchdowns, six picks) may not be great on the stat sheet, defenses are having little effect on slowing Smith down through the air.

The current top five passing leads in the league are as follows:

  1. Geno Smith – 1,778
  2. Brock Purdy – 1,629
  3. Dak Prescott – 1,602
  4. Kirk Cousins – 1,598
  5. Joe Burrow – 1,578

Smith had a tough night against the San Francisco 49ers last week, no one will argue against it. His two interceptions were brutal, and the second one stopped any comeback attempt dead in its tracks. While an argument could certainly be made DK Metcalf did him no favors with his route, as a quarterback, you sign the check with every pass you throw.

However, Smith still had 312 yards on Thursday night. Smith has eclipsed the 300+ passing yard mark in three of his six games this year. In two of them where he did not, he still threw for 289 and 284 yards.

Smith will look to keep up his overall strong paly next Sunday on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. It will be his, and the Seahawks’, first time playing the Falcons since they lost 27-23 in 2022 at Lumen Field. Despite the loss, Smith passed for 325 yards and two touchdowns against Atlanta.

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Geno Smith was at the Oregon/Ohio State game for his cousin Jeremiah

Geno Smith was at the Oregon/Ohio State game for his cousin Jeremiah

The eyes of the college football world were centered on Eugene, Oregon for the matchup of the weekend: the No. 3 Oregon Ducks hosting the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes. The game not only lived up to the hype, it exceeded it.

The Ducks defended home turf and upset the Buckeyes 32-31 at Autzen Stadium. With such a premier matchup, it is only natural some big names would make their way to Eugene.

One such name was none other than Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Eugene Cyril Smith III, otherwise known as Geno Smith. The Seahawks starter wasn’t just there to enjoy some quality college football. He was there to support his younger cousin Jeremiah Smith, who is a standout wide receiver at Ohio State.

The Buckeyes could not remain undefeated, but Jeremiah Smith put on yet another show for those in attendance. Smith led all Ohio State receivers with nine receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. Overall on the year, the freshman has 32 receptions and 553 yards, with seven scores as well.

Football clearly runs deep in the Smith family, and it does not seem like an exaggeration to say we will see young Jeremiah play on Sundays in a few years.

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How Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is related to NFL QB Geno Smith

Football runs in Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith’s family.

Ohio State freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is one of college football’s true rising stars.

Did you know great football runs in his family?

Jeremiah Smith’s cousin is Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who attended the recent Ohio State-Oregon game to support his relative.

The elder Smith has been in the NFL since 2013, and his cousin figures to join the NFL once he declares for the draft.

This is a really cool family connection, as Geno Smith has turned into one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks and Jeremiah Smith is on track to eventually be one of the NFL’s best wide receivers once he joins the league.

Maybe they’ll play together one day? Who knows!

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Geno Smith discusses yet another slow start from Seahawks offense

Geno Smith discusses yet another slow start from Seahawks offense

The Seattle Seahawks are now on a three-game losing skid, and they haven’t looked particularly good in any of them. Seattle has a litany of issues in all phases of the game right now, but one is standing out as a deeply concerning trend: this team, particularly the offense, is starting out slower than molasses in January.

Through six total quarters of first half football in the last three outings, the Seahawks offense has scored a grand total of 13 points. A touchdown against the Lions, then a pair of field goals against the Giants and 49ers each. This is obviously not good enough, especially when two of those opponents (Detroit and San Francisco) had 21 and 16 first half points, respectively.

Unfortunately, this isn’t even really a recent trend, either. In Week 1, Seattle looked as bad as we’ve seen them starting out against the Denver Broncos. The only times this year the Seahawks have not looked entirely lost in the first half was when they scored 17 points in both the New England and Miami games.

Seattle’s inability to get going early is putting this team in a bind. They have generated some success in the second half, but it’s drifted into “too little, too late” territory each time. I asked quarterback Geno Smith about this trend and what the genesis of it may be.

“Yeah, not starting fast. Not executing. That’s the main thing, not executing. Lack of execution,” Smith stated. “This is a game of inches as they say. The margins are small, especially up here at the big boy league. You got to do all the right things all the time. We failed to do that today.”

The Seahawks just played three games in eleven days. An absolutely brutal stretch, no matter who the opponents are. Perhaps what this team needs is a little down time to rest, get healthy, and then have the requisite time to have full on practices to iron out some of these issues.

Otherwise, if they have yet another slow start in Atlanta, the Falcons are going to make them pay.

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Seahawks lose 3rd straight game, fall 36-24 to the 49ers

Seahawks lose 3rd straight game, fall 36-24 to the 49ers

Life comes at you fast in the NFL. Eleven days ago, the Seahawks were among the ranks of the undefeated at 3-0, flying high in sole possession of first place in the NFC West. Now, they have fallen down to .500 with a record of 3-3 with three-straight losses. The latest outing? Losing to the San Francisco 49ers 36-24 for the sixth meeting between these teams in a row. This is also San Francisco’s third-straight win at Lumen Field on Thursday Night Football.

Once again, the Seahawks started a game entirely flat. This now makes it six-straight games Seattle has looked entirely ill-prepared, as they limped into the half trailing 16-3. The 49ers did not let their foot off the gas to start the third quarter, marching 70 yards in nine plays to take a commanding 23-3 lead.

The Seahawks did respond accordingly, as Laviska Shenault Jr. returned the ensuing kick off 97-yards to get Seattle into the end zone for the first time. After forcing a San Francisco punt, the Seahawks engineered a 13-play, 94-yard drive to cut the lead to only 23-17. Suddenly, Seattle appeared to have life, trailing by only one score headed into the fourth quarter.

But like last week, the comeback attempt ran out of gas. With under eight minutes to play, Geno Smith tossed his second interception of the night, San Francisco returned it to Seattle’s 15-yard line, and three plays later the 49ers found the end zone again.

During a last ditch effort, the Seahawks had another promising desperation drive, but it was plagued by untimely penalties. An illegal shift wiped out what would have been a 52-yard touchdown from DK Metcalf, but they did eventually find the end zone as Smith hit Tyler Lockett for a nine-yard touchdown. It was 29-24, 1:44 left in the game, and Seattle had all three timeouts left. Perhaps the Seahawks could pull off some magic late…

…or immediately give up a 76-yard run to Isaac Guerendo (another third-string running back to destroy this rush defense) which then led to a game-clinching touchdown two plays later.

In many ways, this was perhaps the most competitive the Seahawks have looked against San Francisco in the last six games. In others, they looked just as lost as ever, which is exceedingly frustrating when the Niners have looked nothing like the juggernaut we’ve been accustomed to with them. Even with the steps San Francisco has taken back, and the steps Seattle has taken forward, there is still a sizable gap between these teams.

Now the Seahawks and 49ers share a portion of first place, with the Niners technically ahead due to a head-to-head tiebreaker. Seattle is sinking quickly. They will have some much-needed time off to prepare for a road trip to Atlanta to take on the shockingly resurgent Falcons.

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Geno Smith repeatedly slammed a tablet into his head after costly Seahawks pick

Geno Smith was NOT happy with himself here.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith must have been furious with himself after throwing a costly pick against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football.

His team down 23-17 in front of the home crowd in the fourth quarter, Smith tried to get the ball to star Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf only to have it intercepted by rookie 49ers cornerback Renardo Green and returned deep into Seattle territory.

San Francisco got a touchdown off the pick, making it that much more of a tall task for Seattle to get back in the game.

After throwing the interception, one of the Amazon game cameras found Smith banging one of the team’s tablets against his head repeatedly in frustration.

https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1844574801161060706

You could tell how mad Smith was over the interception, which was part just Green making a fantastic play on the ball.

Smith has been playing amazing football since joining the Seahawks, but this wasn’t one of his best moments in the league.

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Week 6 preview and prediction: Seahawks vs 49ers

Week 6 preview and prediction: Seahawks vs 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks are in the first losing streak of the Mike Macdonald era. They will look to get off the schneid on Thursday night against the 2-3 San Francisco 49ers – a team they have lost to for five-straight games.

Despite the recent success San Francisco has had against Seattle, judging by fans online it does not seem as if anyone is too confident in their team… on either side. Currently, the Seahawks remain in first place in the NFC West, but they mainly have the Arizona Cardinals to thank for this. Arizona upset the heavily injured 49ers 24-23 on Sunday, keeping Seattle on top of the division despite their own brutal loss.

San Francisco has become a walking wounded squad. Star defensive lineman Javon Hargrave has been lost for the year, and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year in Christian McCaffrey is still on injured reserve. The Niners have struggled in the red zone this season without McCaffrey, but they are still able to run the ball well behind the legs of Jordan Mason.

Unfortunately, Seattle’s weaknesses along their own defensive front in regards to stopping the run. The Giants gashed them for 175 yards as a team on Sunday, and rookie Byron Murphy II will be missing his third-straight game.

However, the Niners have equal vulnerability on the ground. They key for Seattle is if they will be able to get their own rushing attack going. On Sunday, the Seahawks ran 58 plays and only seven were called runs. This is unacceptable with a healthy Kenneth Walker III in the mix, especially when the game against the Giants was either tied or within a score for three full quarters.

Being able to establish the run will be crucial for a Seahawks offensive line struggling mightily to protect Geno Smith. Having the men up front move forward more than backwards, taking pressure off themselves and their quarterback. The Niners may not have Hargrave, but Nick Bosa is more than terrifying enough.

Seattle’s defense may not be as injured as they were against the Lions, but they will be without cornerback Riq Woolen. They will have Boye Mafe back to help bring pressure to Brock Purdy, but San Francisco has too many weapons for a shorthanded secondary.

The 49ers are desperate. They are a veteran team with a well-established system and culture. Seattle could make this more competitive than they have in the last five meetings, but San Francisco is still a touch matchup.

Prediction: 49ers over Seahawks 28-21

Seahawks QB Geno Smith talks exercising demons vs. 49ers

Seahawks QB Geno Smith talks exercising demons vs. 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical NFC West showdown against their arch rival San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Losers of two consecutive contests, the Seahawks are attempting to avoid a third straight loss. The challenge versus a 49ers team also anxious to get back in the win column will be difficult.

The Seahawks have struggled mightily versus the 49ers in recent meetings. The Seahawks have averaged just 11.6 offensive points per contest throughout five consecutive defeats to San Francisco, including playoff meetings. Starting quarterback Geno Smith commented on what’s made Kyle Shanahan’s defense so difficult to play against.

“Yeah, I think what they [49ers] do well, they’re obviously great at creating turnovers,” Smith told the media on Wednesday. “You talk about personnel and Nick Bosa is one of the better defensive ends league. They have Fred Warner at MIKE ‘backer, one of the better middle linebackers in the league. They have playmakers all over their defense. They don’t try and trick you as far as scheme goes. They play together and they fly around. They’re going to line up and force you to beat them for 60 minutes. We respect them. They’ve been a great team, especially in recent years. It’s time for us to go out there and get it done.”

Smith started four of those five straight losses to San Francisco. In one start against the 49ers last season, Smith completed 18-of-27 passing attempts for 180 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception.

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