After a gut-wrenching loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, the Seattle Seahawks responded with grit and precision in Week 6, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Despite missing three starters in the secondary and facing a surging 4-1 Jaguars team fresh off an improbable win against the defending AFC champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Monday Night, Seattle leaned on explosive plays, ferocious pass-rush, and a dominating performance from Jaxon Smith-Njigba to secure their ninth straight road win under head coach Mike Macdonald.
From the very first play of scrimmage, when the Seahawks sacked quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the theme for Seattle on the defensive side of the ball was pressure. But the real star of the day was the man they call JSN. The third-year wideout exploded for 118 yards and a touchdown before the first half, including a 61-yard bomb where the Ohio State product simply outran newly acquired Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II on a perfectly-placed dime by Sam Darnold.
Smith-Njigba finished the day with eight catches for 162 yards, continuing his ascent to elite status and leaving his mark on the Seahawks record books—he’s now the franchise leader in receiving through the first six games of any Seattle season, surpassing franchise greats Steve Largent and Tyler Lockett. He now leads the league in 100-yard games with four, and in catches over 30 yards, and his chemistry with Darnold is now becoming one of the league’s most dangerous connections.
Speaking of Darnold, he flashed some of the talent that got him selected third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was flashy, but also efficient, going 16/27 for 295 yards and two touchdowns, including Cooper Kupp’s first on the season. His deep ball accuracy and poise were on full display, avoiding turnovers while connecting on multiple shots downfield to his cadre of receivers, including another 61-yard strike to standout sophomore tight end A.J. Barner to seal the game and end the Jaguars’ comeback hopes. He made smart decisions under pressure, especially when Seattle was struggling to convert on third downs, going just 1 for 12. His ability to stretch the field was critical in a game where Seattle only rushed for 60 yards, with running back Kenneth Walker III pacing the game with 34.
Down three starters in the secondary (safety Julian Love, and cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon), the front seven more than made up for it. Seattle sacked Lawrence seven times, a season high, and held Jacksonville to just 273 total yards and no red zone possessions.
Byron Murphy II and Demarcus Lawrence lead the charge with two sacks apiece, while the rest of the defense swarmed the former number one pick throughout the game. The Jaguars’ offensive line, which had allowed only six sacks through the first five games, was overwhelmed by Seattle’s relentless pressure.
Jacksonville looked flat from the start, with its first three plays resulting in a sack, a holding penalty, and a pass for negative yardage. Running back Travis Etienne and the rest of the Jags’ ground game were bottled up, gaining 59 yards on 19 carries. An offside penalty on rookie Travis Hunter wiped out a potential game-changing 54-yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. Even when the Jaguars found some momentum—like Lawrence’s fourth quarter 26-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick—they couldn’t sustain it. Seattle’s defense clamped down, and Jacksonville’s inability to convert on third down (a ghastly 25% efficiency) proved costly.
Seattle’s special teams were solid, if unspectacular. Kicker Jason Meyers hit both of his field goal attempts while the coverage units kept the Jacksonville returners in check. More critically, the Seahawks managed the clock well in the final minutes of the game, using Barner’s big catch to bleed the clock and prevent Lawrence and company from getting another possession.
The game wasn’t all roses and rainbows, though. The Seahawks lost a big presence in the middle of their defensive line when defensive tackle Jarran Reed left with a leg injury in the final frame, adding to their growing list of absences. But coach MacDonald’s squad’s adaptability and depth were evident. Corner Shaquill Griffin, returning to Jacksonville since rejoining Seattle, stepped in admirably in the secondary, and the defensive line rotation kept Lawrence under duress and the pocket uncomfortable.
With the victory, Seattle improves to 4–2 and remains undefeated on the road this season. It’s a testament to Macdonald’s culture of resilience and preparation. The Seahawks are now 10–1 on the road under his leadership, and they’ve shown they can win in various ways, including ugly, explosive, and short-handed.
This wasn’t a perfect game—third-down struggles and a few missed tackles still linger—but it was a statement. Seattle can beat playoff-caliber teams in hostile environments, and they’re doing it with a mix of veteran leadership, emerging stars, and a defense that refuses to quit.
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