Jaxon Smith-Njigba has a star turn as he helps carry the Seahawks to the Super Bowl

SEATTLE (AP) — Jaxon Smith-Njigba made plenty of spectacular plays during the best season by a wide receiver in Seattle Seahawks history, so it wasn't a shock that he added another highlight during the NFC championship game.

Nonetheless, the one-handed catch Smith-Njigba made late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams was among his most incredible this season. Sam Darnold scrambled to his left and made a throw toward the sideline, and Smith-Njigba hauled in the pass with his right hand before tiptoeing both feet inbounds.

“I didn’t think I could catch it with two hands,” Smith-Njigba said, “so just whatever it takes for us to get the job done I’m going to do. If I have to catch it with my toe, finger, it doesn’t matter, just reach out and catch the ball.”

Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards at 1,793 and was fourth in receptions at 119, but his production tapered off down the stretch.

After he had six games of 100 or more yards in the Seahawks' first eight, Smith-Njigba was limited to one 100-yard game over Seattle's final six of the regular season.

But against the Rams and their struggling secondary, Smith-Njigba was all but unstoppable. He finished with 10 catches for 153 yards, including a leaping, 42-yard grab where he held on after a huge hit from Kam Curl.

“I’m not really surprised at this point anymore about some of the stuff that Jax does on a football field,” Darnold said. “He’s a great player.”

Smith-Njigba's individual accolades included a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection. But the third-year player said the biggest reward is the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.

“This is better than any individual award or goal that I had in mind,” Smith-Njigba said. “This is the ultimate goal that we’ve had: Get to the Super Bowl, win the Super Bowl. This feeling is something that I can’t really explain. I’m just super proud of everyone involved.”

Kenneth Walker III did just fine carrying the load without fellow running back Zach Charbonnet, who is out for the rest of the playoffs with a knee injury. Walker had 19 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown and four receptions for 49 yards against the Rams.

The taunting penalty by cornerback Riq Woolen on Sunday was his third such flag this season. This time, it led to a Rams touchdown on the next play. Woolen owned up to his mistake, but the Seahawks may not be so fortunate if he loses his cool again in the Super Bowl against New England.

Wide receiver Jake Bobo had his first touchdown catch since Jan. 25, 2025, which also came against the Rams. It was just the fourth TD reception of Bobo’s three-year career. During the playoffs, Bobo has as many catches (two) as he did during the regular season.

Run defense. The Seahawks gave up 479 yards to the Rams, including 114 yards rushing. The Rams had 114 yards or more on the ground in all three games against Seattle this season.

Fullback Brady Russell suffered a hand injury during the second half on Sunday and did not return. Linebacker Drake Thomas injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter and did not return.

346 — Passing yards by Darnold in the NFC championship game, his most of the season. The last time he exceeded that total was on Dec. 29, 2024, for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Seahawks will face the Patriots in Super Bowl 60 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It will be Seattle’s fourth Super Bowl appearance, and first in 11 years. The Seahawks are 1-2 in the Super Bowl.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes a touchdown catch during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes a catch past Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant (14) during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — French striker Thierno Barry scored his fourth goal in five games to give Everton a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds on Monday.

Leeds was dominant in the first half and took the lead in the 28th minute when Anton Stach’s low cross from the right ran across the 18-yard box to James Justin, who stormed in at the far post to score with a low shot.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost doubled Leeds lead three minutes later but hit the post from about four meters out. Leeds' early superiority was highlighted by the visitors having more shots in the first half — 10 — than in any league game since September 2021.

However, Everton coach David Moyes changed to a back three for the second half and the switch brought his side right back into the game.

Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow denied Barry an earlier equalizer and Iliman Ndiaye, back in the side after winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, also came close for Everton.

But it was Barry who finally got the goal 14 minutes from time when the big forward got in front of a Leeds defender to stab home a low cross from Idrissa Gueye, another of Everton’s returning Senegal contingent.

"His workrate is always really honest and he works hard but we need goals and he got one for us tonight,” Moyes said of the former Basel and Villarreal striker.

“The first half we weren’t at it and in the second half we were much better," Moyes added. “Thankfully, we got a goal back. We were fortunate to only be 1-0 down at halftime, but I could say the same as the second half — we could have maybe got a second goal.”

The draw was a blow to Everton’s European hopes. A win would have taken it into seventh, but it remained in 10th, one of four teams on 33 points.

Leeds moved to 26 points, six above the Premier League relegation zone and two points behind the clubs above it, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

“Overall, it is a good result for us," Leeds coach Daniel Farke said. “It is another sign we are on a very good path. We edge another point closer to what we want to achieve. To come here with such a brave performance and come away with one point is encouraging but the job is not done yet. We still need to win a few more points.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Leeds United's James Justin celebrates scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Leeds United in Liverpool, England, Monday Jan. 26, 2026. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Leeds United's Sebastiaan Bornauw, left, and Everton's Thierno Barry in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Leeds United in Liverpool, England, Monday Jan. 26, 2026. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Leeds United's James Justin, left, celebrates scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Leeds United in Liverpool, England, Monday Jan. 26, 2026. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)