Seahawks-Lions Key Matchup: Brian Branch vs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
One NFL game. One interception for Brian Branch.
And it wasn't just any old interception. The rookie defensive back recorded the pick off of two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, and returned it – at Arrowhead Stadium – for a touchdown.
Additionally, in the Week 1 matchup with Kansas City, Branch allowed two catches (on four targets) for just seven yards, while limiting Mahomes to a passer rating of only 56.3 on those throws.
Now, headed into Week 2, Lions fans are clamoring to see what the Alabama product will do for an encore.
Just as was the case with the Chiefs in Detroit's season opener, it is expected that on Sunday, Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks will test Branch. Working out of the slot, Branch – the No. 45 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft – will have the chance to go head-to-head with fellow rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba, the No. 20 overall pick in this past April's draft, didn't exactly light up the stat sheet in his NFL debut. He amassed just three catches for 13 yards – on five targets from Smith – in Seattle's opener against the L.A. Rams. Yet, in fairness to the 2023 first-round pick, he underwent surgery in late August to repair a broken bone in his wrist, and is still in the process of working his way back from the injury.
Seahawks head man Pete Carroll expects the former Ohio State receiver to be "a factor" moving forward this season.
"Three weeks (out) from his surgery, and he didn’t even flinch (in Seattle's Week 1 contest). He’s ready to go," Carroll said of the first-year wideout earlier this week. "He didn’t get as many balls as we’d like. He had one that he maybe could’ve handled better, the throw was behind him a bit. But, other than that, he was in the game and ready to go. He’s going to be a factor. We just have to get him used to being out there, and us used to throwing it to him.”
In Smith-Njigba's last fully healthy season (2021), he suited up for 13 games, and amassed a school-record 95 receptions and 1,606 receiving yards (also a Big Ten record for most receiving yards in a single season).
So, when the ex-Buckeyes pass-catcher is at full health, there's no doubt that he can be a difference-making weapon in an NFL offense.
I expect Branch to get a taste of that at Ford Field Sunday.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Steven Bisig, USA TODAY Sports
"I played him my freshman year in the National Championship, but Smith(-Njigba), he’s a good receiver,” the nickel corner said of facing the former Big Ten wideout. “Shifty, knows the defense in a way, knows how to get open. Just really, my eyes, this game is going to be a big part for me that I’ve got to work on. It’s going to be a good game.”
I believe Branch vs. Smith-Njigba is the key matchup to watch in this Week 2 tilt. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, be on the lookout for Amon-Ra St. Brown taking on the secondary of Seattle.
St. Brown, who is coming off a six-catch, 71-yard and one-touchdown game against the Chiefs, is expected to be matched up with rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Witherspoon, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 draft, will be making his NFL debut Sunday. He missed the Seahawks' season-opening game with a hamstring injury.
Witherspoon might end up being a top-flight nickel corner one day. However, I think St. Brown gets the best of the Illinois product, in his one-on-one matchup with the first-year pro Sunday.
