Seahawks and Cardinals Clash as Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seeks to Exploit Arizona’s Vulnerable Secondary
The NFL’s Thursday Night Football returns this week with an intriguing divisional showdown as the 2-1 Seattle Seahawks travel to face the 2-1 Arizona Cardinals. Both teams are coming off losses to the formidable San Francisco 49ers, intensifying the stakes in this NFC West matchup. As the anticipation builds, we delve into key player prop bets available on DraftKings and bet365.
Smith-Njigba’s Meteoric Rise
In a league where early-season struggles can signal a downturn, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has defied expectations with a stellar performance, eclipsing the 76.5 receiving yards prop in each of his first three games. The rookie wide receiver has emerged as a pivotal weapon for Seattle, showcasing his potential with target counts of 13, 10, and 6, resulting in receiving yards of 124, 103, and 96, respectively. Remarkably, these numbers come despite limited snap counts in the last two games, where he played just 65% and 49% of the time due to lopsided scorelines.
The upcoming matchup against Arizona presents an enticing opportunity for Smith-Njigba. The Cardinals’ secondary has faltered against opposing teams’ top wide receivers, as evidenced by their performance so far this season. Notably, all three No. 1 wideouts facing Arizona have exceeded their receiving yards props. Chris Olave narrowly hit 54 yards on a line set at 51.5, while Tetairoa McMillan and Ricky Pearsall surged past their respective props with 100 and 117 yards.
Statistically, Smith-Njigba stands out among NFL wide receivers, ranking third in receiving yards per game and fourth in receptions. He also boasts the second-highest targets per route run and leads in yards per route run. Given his consistent production and the Cardinals’ defensive struggles, expect him to shine on Thursday night.
Trey McBride Poised for a Breakout
On the flip side, Trey McBride seeks to turn the tide after failing to hit the reception prop in his first three games. However, the tight end finds himself in a favorable position against a Seahawks defense that has struggled to contain tight ends. Historically, McBride has demonstrated his reliability, recording seven or more receptions in eight of his last 12 games last season.
Although his targets have dipped to an average of eight per game this year, McBride remains a focal point in the Arizona offense, with 6, 6, and 5 receptions in his recent outings. He ranks among the top 15-20 players in terms of first-read targets and designed targets across all positions, with tight ends specifically seeing McBride among the top in those categories this season.
The Seahawks have shown vulnerability against tight ends, allowing three of four to surpass their reception props through the first three games. Notably, George Kittle nearly hit his prop before being sidelined early in the game. Against teams that rank in the bottom half for receptions allowed to tight ends, McBride has thrived, achieving seven receptions in seven out of nine such contests. In two matchups against Seattle last year, he accumulated 12 receptions on 15 targets and seven receptions on 14 targets. Expect McBride to be heavily involved in the passing game.
Benson’s Opportunity in the Passing Game
Adding another layer to the Cardinals’ offensive strategy is Trey Benson, who finds himself in a prime position following James Conner’s unfortunate injury that has sidelined him for the season. While Benson has only hit the four-reception benchmark once this year, context is crucial. After Conner’s exit early in the second half of the last game, Benson stepped up as the lead back, playing 68% of the passing downs.
Benson’s involvement in the passing game should increase significantly with Conner out. Historically, Conner has been a key contributor, ranking third on the team in receptions and targets. In his three career games against the Seahawks with Kyler Murray at quarterback, Conner consistently hit the four-reception mark. With Benson stepping into this role, expect him to capitalize on the opportunities presented in the passing game.
As the Seahawks and Cardinals prepare to clash, all eyes will be on the performances of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Trey McBride, and Trey Benson. With each player facing unique challenges and opportunities, this matchup promises to deliver excitement and drama.
