Yardbarker
x
Seattle Seahawks 2025 Win Total: Why Everyone’s Sleeping on the 12th Man
- Oct 29, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) carries the ball after a catch while chased by Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (22) at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

After watching the Seattle Seahawks stumble their way out of playoff contention despite a 10-7 record last season, you might think this team is headed for mediocrity. The bookmakers certainly do: they’ve got Seattle’s win total set at a measly 7.5, fourth in their own division behind the 49ers, Rams, and even the Cardinals. But here’s the thing: sometimes the best bets are the ones everyone else is too scared to make.

The Great Quarterback Shuffle Nobody Saw Coming

Jun 11, 2025; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes the ball during mini-camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Let’s start with the elephant in the room, Sam Darnold. Yes, Darnold, who was once the potential QB savior for the New York Jets has been super mediocre with the Panthers. But here’s where it gets interesting: this isn’t 2021 Sam Darnold anymore. This is a quarterback who just threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns in Minnesota, completing 66.2% of his passes with a respectable 12 interceptions. If it wasn’t for that awful performance in the postseason, he’d probably be the comeback player of the year.

The Seattle Seahawks didn’t just pick up a random free agent, they got a guy who already knows offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system during their days in San Francisco. While other teams are dealing with growing pains between new quarterbacks and coordinators, Darnold is already ahead of the curve. That’s not luck; that’s smart roster construction.

Defense: The Foundation That Nobody’s Talking About

Here’s what really gets fans fired up about this Seattle Seahawks roster: Mike Macdonald’s defense isn’t just good, it’s potentially elite. Leonard Williams put up 11 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Julian Love made three interceptions and 106 tackles. Ernest Jones was an absolute tackling machine with 138 stops.

Now they’ve added DeMarcus Lawrence, who might be past his prime but still brings veteran presence and pass-rushing ability. The rookie additions of Nick Emmanwori and Rylie Mills give this unit even more depth. When your defense can keep games close, your offense doesn’t need to be perfect, just functional.

Cooper Kupp: The Addition That Changes Everything

Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) returns to the locker room following early pregame warmups against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Trading away DK Metcalf and letting Tyler Lockett go really sucks for the fanbase. However, Cooper Kupp is a proven slot weapon who can work underneath while Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues developing on the outside. Sometimes chemistry matters more than raw talent, and Kupp brings that veteran savvy that younger receivers simply can’t match. This receiving corps might actually be more balanced than people realize.

Why the Under Bettors Are Getting It Wrong

Everyone’s jumping on the under 7.5 wins because of regression theories and statistical mumbo-jumbo about close games. Here’s what they’re missing: the Seattle Seahawks went 7-1 on the road last season. That’s not luck, that’s a team that knows how to handle adversity and hostile environments. Yes, they were only 3-6 at home, which is concerning. But sometimes a change at quarterback and a fresh offensive system is exactly what a team needs to turn things around. The defense is solid, the special teams are competent, and now they have an offensive coordinator who actually knows how to use his personnel.

The Bottom Line on Seattle’s 2025 Outlook

The Seattle Seahawks aren’t going to win the Super Bowl this year—their +6500 odds tell you everything you need to know about that pipe dream. But seven wins? In a division where the 49ers are dealing with their own questions, Arizona is a mediocre franchise, and the Rams are still figuring out their problems with Stafford? This team hits eight or nine wins, sneaks into the wild card conversation, and makes everyone who bet the under look foolish. Sometimes the best stories in sports come from teams nobody believes in. The 12th Man has been quiet for too long, don’t be surprised when they start making some noise again.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Fantasy Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!