While they ultimately missed the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons, the Seattle Seahawks still probably surprised a lot of fans with their 9-8 record in 2023.
The Pete Carroll era is finally over in Seattle, and new head coach Mike Macdonald — the league’s youngest head coach at age 37 — does have some pieces to work with that could keep the Seahawks competitive in 2024.
But just how competitive remains to be seen.
Seattle Seahawks Futures Odds
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook unless noted otherwise.
Super Bowl Odds:Â +6500
NFC Odds:Â +2800
NFC West Division Odds: +700
Win Total: 7.5 – Over (-150)/Under (+130)
To Make/Miss Playoffs: Make (+180)/Miss (-220)
Seahawks Offense
While quarterback Geno Smith has reached the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons, 2023 looked a lot less impressive than his 2022 season, when he was the AP Comeback Player of the Year.
Smith’s tochdown passes, completion percentage, and passing yards per game were all down last season from his spectacular 2022 campaign.
MORE: NFL Super Bowl Odds
On the flip side, Smith’s top receiving target, wide receiver DK Metcalf, had a solid season in 2023. Of particular note was a career-high in yards per reception (16.9).
The biggest offseason acquisition for the Seahawks may have been offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who is coming from just down the road after two seasons as offensive coordinator of the Washington Huskies.
Seahawks Defense
Here is where Macdonald will have his biggest challenge while potentially having his biggest impact on this team.
As defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, Macdonald led arguably the league’s No. 1 defense. Now, he takes over a team that ranked in the bottom 10 in both total defense (30th) and scoring defense (25th).
The Seahawks did re-sign defensive tackle Leonard Williams this offseason, so at least last October’s trade with the New York Giants didn’t turn out to be a waste.
They will also take a different approach to the linebacker position, especially inside, where the Seahawks signed Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson to one-year deals. They are expected to replace the departed Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks.
One Betting Trend To Know
The Seahawks struggled outside the NFC last season, going 0-4-1 against the spread against AFC opponents. However, the majority of Seattle’s majority opponents came from the AFC North Division, where all four teams finished with winning records.
KEEP READING: NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds
This season, four of the Seahawks’ five non-conference opponents are from the AFC East, where half of the teams — the New York Jets and New England Patriots — had double-digit losses in 2023.
We’ll have a good idea of how Seattle will fare against non-conference opponents right away, as its first three regular-season games are against teams from the AFC.
Best Bet for Seahawks in 2024
Last season, despite what turned out to be a pretty brutal schedule, the Seahawks still managed to win nine games. This season, the schedule appears to be a little lighter on paper, as eight of their 17 games are against teams that lost 10 or more games in 2023.
That being said, there is value to playing the under on 7.5 wins, and I would trend in that direction. Macdonald has a lot to try and turn around in just one season, with the offense and defense both ranking outside the top 20 last season.
While Macdonald will likely improve the defense, Seattle still must face big-time offenses in the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers (twice).
That figures to make it difficult for this Seahawks team to match last season’s winning record.
