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The Seattle Seahawks have a cheat code on their team: wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. His unique skills allow his team to defy conventional thinking.
Peyton Manning was among the latest to try to apply logic to the Seahawks' logic-defying wideout. During the Week 8 episode of the "ManningCast" on "Monday Night Football," the Hall of Fame quarterback tried to anticipate Seattle's play call as the clock ticked down on the first half.
With Seattle facing a third-and-10 play on the edge of kicker Jason Myers' field goal range, Manning said he expected a run play or a short, quick pass to set up an easier kick. Instead, Smith-Njigba broke open on a slick double move, and quarterback Sam Darnold launched the ball his way for an easy touchdown.
"I wouldn't mind running the ball here. Throw it short..." Manning said as Darnold wound up for a big throw. "Well, never mind. Or just do that. Just do that."
Meanwhile, Eli Manning laughed at his brother's prediction.
"Throw it short? Throw it short? Is that what we wanna do?" Eli said.
The touchdown was on Smith-Njigba's fourth catch of the night and gave him 92 yards through the first half. He's closing in on a fourth straight 100-yard game – and a seventh in eight games.
The scoring play also pulled the Seahawks within four points of the Bears near the end of the half. Kicker Jason Myers' missed extra point meant Seattle didn't cut the lead to three points.