NFL Win Totals: Is 8 Wins Within Reach for the Seahawks?

It's a new era for the Seattle Seahawks, who replaced Pete Carroll with Mike Macdonald as head coach in the offseason. Seattle is chasing their first playoff win since 2019. According to FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL odds, the Seahawks could be on the outside of the postseason for the second consecutive season with +194 odds.

With a load of coaching changes and additions in free agency, Seattle will look a lot different in the upcoming season. Will it be enough to drive an improvement in the Seahawk's win total?

Seattle is carrying a 7.5 win total when looking at FanDuel's NFL win totals odds. Are the Seahawks bound for the over or the under?

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, and they may change after the article is published.

Seattle Seahawks 2024 Win Total Odds

Seahawks Over/Under 7.5 Wins

• Over: -138
• Under: +112

Odds to Make the Playoffs: +194
Odds to Win the NFC West: +750
Odds to Win the NFC: +2800 (10th)
Super Bowl Odds: +6500 (22nd)

Key Offseason Coaching Changes:

• Mike Macdonald replaces Pete Carroll as Head Coach
• Ryan Grubb replaces Shane Waldron as Offensive Coordinator
• Aden Durde replaces Clint Hurtt as Defensive Coordinator
• Jay Harbaugh hired as Special Teams Coordinator
• Karl Scott hired as Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach
• Scott Huff hired as Offensive Line Coach
• Kirk Oliviadotti hired as Inside Linebackers Coach

Why Seahawks Could Win Over 7.5 Games

• Fresh Faces on Coaching Staff
• Defensive Line is Bolstered
• Secondary Touts Impressive Young Talent

Most importantly, major coaching changes were made in the offseason. As a former Super Bowl-winning coach, Pete Carroll's move to an advisor role still came as a surprise. However, there's no denying that Seattle has been a far cry from their previous success.

The Seahawks have failed to reach double-digit wins for three straight seasons and have not won a playoff game during the stretch. Last season's 9-8 finish while missing the playoffs was certainly disappointing, especially after the surprise 2022 playoff berth.

Seattle didn't improve at all last season. In fact, they went backward despite making offseason "upgrades" ahead of the 2023 season. For example, they went from totaling the 13th-most yards per game in 2022 to the 11th-fewest yards each contest last season. The defense also remained one of the league's worst, giving up the fifth-most yards in 2022 and the third-most a year ago.

Moving on from Carroll was warranted, even with his Super Bowl win in 2013. The departure made even more sense following the addition of Mike Macdonald as head coach. This was a splash hire as he has been one of the fastest-rising names in football.

Macdonald was Michigan's defensive coordinator in 2021, followed by holding the same position with the Baltimore Ravens over the last two seasons. He is currently the youngest coach in the league at 36.

A potential improvement to the coaching staff certainly helps the argument for over 7.5 wins. This also goes hand-in-hand with the defense's potential, as well.

The Seahawks have struggled to defend for a number of seasons. Macdonald led the Ravens' defense in 2023, which allowed the fewest points per game.

Additionally, Seattle further invested in their defensive line by re-signing Leonard Williams to a three-year, $64.5 million deal, and they used their top draft pick on defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, who was regarded as one of the best interior defensive linemen of the 2024 class with an exceptional pass rush.

The secondary is already loaded with potential. Tariq Woolen earned Pro Bowl honors in his 2022 rookie season, and Devon Witherspoon posted a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 84.1 in his rookie campaign last season.

If this defense can even become mediocre -- which seems quite likely -- reaching eight wins looks within reach.

Why Seahawks Could Win Under 7.5 Games

• Does Geno Smith Have Enough in the Tank?
• Offensive Line Mostly Left Unaddressed
• Linebacker Room Still Looks Vulnerable

Most of our support for the over focused on the defense's potential improvement. The offense has mostly pulled its weight, especially in 2022 with the ninth-most points per game (PPG).

However, like the entire team, the offense also slid in 2023. Some of this was due to a decline from Geno Smith. After racking up 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 2022, Smith's numbers fell to 3,624 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.

Smith's decline could draw some obvious concerns. However, Macdonald was with Michigan and the Ravens at his last two stops. What do the two teams have in common? Each squad likes to pound the rock, and the Seahawks have a talented backfield with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. Macdonald could look to run it more often after Seattle totaled the second-fewest rushes per game in 2023.

Running the rock could help take the burden off of Smith's shoulders. However, we still have a clear concern with this offense. The offensive line remains a problem.

According to ESPN, the unit had the 16th-worst run block win rate and 8th-worst pass block win rate last season. How did the franchise respond? The Seahawks filled left guard and center with Laken Tomlinson and Nick Harris. Tomlinson carried a 55.0 PFF grade in 2023 while Harris finished with 59.5.

It's unlikely that either signing will be a needle mover for this unit. If Seattle cannot control the line of scrimmage, the offense will likely remain mediocre at best.

The defense is far from perfect as recent stats suggest. While there's hope for the defensive line and secondary, the linebacker position still looks vulnerable. Jerome Baker was the only notable addition. Although this was a solid move, it's still a downgrade compared to Bobby Wagner, who was lost in free agency and posted an 82.4 PFF grade in 2023.

This defense still has clear issues, and the offensive line could hold back Seattle's ability to score. However, the defense has enough talent to improve under a defensive-minded coach.

The Seahawks reached nine wins in the last two seasons. I expect Seattle to stay around this mark by going over 7.5 wins.

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