Good afternoon, 12s. Here’s a look at what’s going on out there and any news you might have missed, about your Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks play Monday at 7 p.m. PT against the Houston Texans. Here is news from the week to get you ready for the matchup and other news out there about the Seattle Seahawks.

@fabiangib asks, “The appreciate for JSN I’m seeing on social media is amazing, especially after so many doubted his ability to be a WR1. Is he now in the conversation for the best receiver in the league?

A: I mean, he has to be, right? Smith-Njigba currently leads the NFL in receiving yards with 696, and is tied for fifth in catches with 42.

And he’s getting the job done on a consistent basis, having recorded at least 76 yards in every game, with four 100-yard games, while each game has featured a deep reception of 35 or more yards, including a 61-yard touchdown last week.

Perhaps most impressive is that, according to Nex Gen Stats, Smith-Njigba is leading the NFL in yards per route run at 4.6, nearly a full yard head of second-place Puka Nacua (3.7). That’s not only the best yards-per-route-run average this season, it would be the best in the Nex Gen Era (2016) if he keeps it up for full season, besting Tyreek Hill’s 2020 season in which he averaged 4.0 yards per route run.

So yeah, I’m not sure how Smith-Njigba isn’t in the conversation as being one of the best, if not the best, receiver in the NFL.

The Seahawks get set to host the Houston Texans for a Week 7 matchup in primetime at Lumen Field. The team will wear their all-college navy blue uniform combo on Monday Night Football.

C.J. Stroud appears to have taken a positive turn over the past couple of games, completing 81.8 percent of his passes and throwing six touchdown passes with no interceptions after posting a 2-3 touchdown to interception ratio in the first three games. What has gone into his recent improvement?

Harris: He’s learning a new offense and being asked to do a ton more than he did the previous first two seasons, so he’s adapting. But this is what he wanted, to be in charge at the line of scrimmage. The offensive line has protected better lately and it’s key that the OL has found its starting, and best, five. The non-Nico Collins receivers have stepped up in a major way as well and Nico is still that DUDE. The run game has steadily improved, so the play action has gone up a level as well. But, this will be the biggest test for this offense perhaps all year long. Ultimately (and not shockingly), the key is how the Texans OL can protect against four Seahawks rushers. If the Texans have early success and C.J. has time to throw, it’ll force Seattle into making a pressure decision – to blitz or not to blitz? But, if the Seahawks get the pressure they want with four, it’s going to be a LONG night for the Texans offense.

Player And Coaching Connections

Jaxon Smith-Njigba and C.J. Stroud

Probably the most recognizable connection between the Seahawks and the Texans will be the reunion of two former college teammates in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and C.J. Stroud who played together at Ohio State from 2020-2022. The two set school records for Ohio State, broke Big Ten records and helped Ohio State’s offense rank amongst the best during their tenure. The two also put on one of the best Rose Bowl performances to date. Smith-Njigba set Rose Bowl records finishing the game with 347 receiving yards on 15 receptions and three touchdowns. He was named offensive player of the game for that performance. Stroud threw for 573 yards and six touchdowns.