NFL analytics expert projects Seattle Seahawks win total for 2024 season

The Seattle Seahawks don’t have the strongest projected win total for the 2024 season in terms of being compared to the top teams in the NFC. Cynthia Frelund, an analytics expert for the NFL Network projected the win total for the teams in the NFC, and the Seahawks have a win total of 8.8, the eighth best in the conference.

“I think the Seahawks are being a bit undervalued, both generally speaking and within my model,” Frelund wrote. “As far as the schedule goes, they open the season with a pair of winnable games: vs. Denver, at New England. And in looking at every team’s hardest four-game stretch, according to my calculations, the ‘Hawks actually rank 26th — i.e., they have the seventh-easiest quartet.

“If this team is to exceed expectations, though, it will need vast improvement in run defense. Seattle ranked dead last in first downs allowed on the ground (144) and rushing yards over expected allowed (422). Can new head coach Mike Macdonald flip the script? Well, the first-round selection of DT Byron Murphy II certainly helped the cause.”

Last year, the Seahawks went 9-8 but missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Pete Carroll, who was the Seahawks’ head coach for 14 seasons, stepped down from the role in January, leading the team to hired former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

Mike Macdonald brings different energy to Seattle Seahawks

“What an honor,” Macdonald said after he was hired in January. We are super excited to be here. Just getting to know John and the rest of the folks, the reputation of this place, what drew us here was the people. That’s why we’re here, to bring a championship back to Seattle and the 12s.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun, we’re going to work our tails off, and it’s going to be an incredible ride. We’re going to be here for a long time, and we’re going to win a lot of football games.”

Geno Smith is entering his third season as the starting quarterback of the Seahawks. In 2023, Smith completed 64.7 precent of his passes with 3,624 yards and 20 touchdowns with a 92.1 passer rating. The Seahawks will need more from him if they want to return to being a Super Bowl contender.