Both sitting at 11-3, the Seahawks host the Rams with a divisional title — or, for that matter, possibly the NFC crown — on the line. Seattle WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the league leader in reception yards, is poised to light up what might arguably be the season's most consequential Thursday Night Football contest.
The kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, and the game can be streamed on Prime Video.
JSN has a tough matchup, as the Rams are tied for third for points allowed. Nonetheless, the six-foot, 197-pounder torched the 'Hawks divisional rival in the previous head-to-head meeting to the tune of 9 catches and 105 yard. Will it keep up on TNF?
Let’s dive into Jaxon Smith-Njigba's stats and highlight a pick at PrizePicks for Thursday Night Football.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Stats, Pick vs. Rams
The league leader in target share (35%) is among the busiest WRs in the NFL, but staring down one of the league’s top defenses, can he turn what might be a heavy workload into points?
Here are his projected stats at PrizePicks, where you can win real money if your picks are right.
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Projection: 89.5 Receiving Yards
Los Angeles limits opponents to 18.6 points per game (third) and 5.0 yards per play (seventh). According to Sumer Sports, the Rams also give up only -0.06 expected points added (EPA) per dropback (tied for sixth).
Sharp Football Analysis ranks L.A. fourth in zone coverage rate. JSN boasts an absurd 4.36 yards per route run against zone, via Pro Football Focus. When facing defenses in the top-ten of zone coverage percentage — L.A. is tied for third — the former Ohio State Buckeye totals 7.8 receptions and 122.0 receiving yards per game.
Volume isn't a worry for the speedster, as QB Sam Darnold had targeted him 9.0 times their previous five game. Plus, Smith-Njigba records 11.6 targets per contest when facing defenses in the top-ten of zone coverage rate. (The Rams rank fourth.)
Another plus for JSN and Darnold is that CBs Darious Williams (68.3) and Emmanuel Forbes (59.3) have underwhelming PFF coverage grades. That said, protection could be JSN’s biggest worry, as Seattle allows the fourth-lowest sack rate.
JSN topped 90 receiving yards in 12 of his 14 games, but on this Thursday Night Football tilt, he faces a tough challenge against a statistically impressive Rams D.
More Jaxon Smith-Njigba Projections vs. Rams on Thursday Night Football
- 6.5 Receptions
- 9.5 Reception Targets
- 27.5 Yards on Longest Reception
- 18.5 Fantasy Score
Make Thursday Night Football Picks on PrizePicks
Smith-Njigba has a 1.25x payout to win Offensive Player of the Year, via PrizePicks Team Picks. In TNF’s highly anticipated matchup between the Seahawks and Rams, will he keep up his league-leading pace?
Make your picks for Thursday Night Football with PrizePicks. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and earn real-money rewards if you're right.
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