The Seattle Seahawks were expected to be one of the NFL's worst teams in 2022 after trading franchise icon and likely future Hall of Famer Russell Wilson to Denver. Seattle had an Over/Under win total of just 5.5 and what appeared to be the NFL's worst quarterback situation with Geno Smith and Drew Lock battling for the top job. Smith had a career year and led the Seahawks to nine wins and a wild card spot. Seattle is set at 8.5 victories this year, and so far every single wager at PointsBet is on the Over.
Smith had started three games in 2021 for Seattle when Wilson was hurt and the team went 1-2, but he hadn't been a full-time starting QB entering last year – he easily beat out Lock in camp – since going 3-10 with the Jets in 2014, Smith's second year in the league.
All he did in 2022 was set Seahawks single-season records for passing yards (4,282), attempts (572), completions (399) and completion percentage (69.8% – No. 1 among qualified QBs) to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Was that a fluke? Seattle easily could have moved on this offseason, as Smith was a free agent and the team had the No. 5 overall pick in the draft and the chance to potentially select a long-term QB.
However, Seattle signed Smith to a three-year, $105 million deal with $52 million in Year 1 and then used the No. 5 pick to take Illinois All-American cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who is a +900 third favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Most draft experts thought the Seahawks stole Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20 overall, as many mock drafts had him as a top-10 pick. Smith-Njigba is +800 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, although it's fair to wonder how many targets he may get as a rookie behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the depth chart. Smith-Njigba is set at O/U 725.5 yards.
Additionally, Pete Carroll figures to run the ball more this year behind stellar second-year back Kenneth Walker III and rookie second-round pick Zach Charbonnet of UCLA, who is +2500 for OROY.
That Seattle had Walker, who rushed for 1,050 yards and nine TDs in 15 games as a rookie, and used a second-rounder on another tailback should tell you everything about the offensive game plan in 2023. It would thus be a shock if Smith breaks any of those records for a second year in a row. He's set at 3900.5 passing yards and 26.5 touchdown passes.
One defensive note: Former Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams may not be ready for Week 1 after suffering a season-ending torn quad in Week 1 last season. Adams has played just 13 games with Seattle since the team sent two first-round picks to the Jets to get him in 2020. Adams has no guaranteed money past this season, so it may be his last in the Pacific Northwest. The Seahawks added insurance by signing free agent Julian Love.
Seattle is tied for the 12th-toughest schedule in the NFL this year with its opponents having a combined winning percentage of .517 (148-138-2) in 2022. Based on opposing teams' 2023 betting win total, the Seahawks have the 10th-toughest. They are -4.5 for Week 1 at home vs. the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle also has a home Thanksgiving game for the first time, against reigning NFC West champion and betting favorite San Francisco. That's one of seven games vs. 2022 playoff teams.
DraftKings also offers exact win totals, with both 9 and 10 set as +500 favorites for the Seahawks, and 8 and 11 both at +600.
Get more out of your SportsLine subscription!
Qualifying SportsLine members receive a 30-day free trial of Paramount+ premium. Sync your account right here.
