NFL fans were all but ready to hand the Seattle Seahawks the 2023 No. 1 overall pick once we learned they'd be starting Geno Smith at quarterback. Yet suddenly, they sit side by side with the Rams and 49ers at 3-3 and arguably with more momentum than any team in the NFC West.
In large part, that's thanks to Smith.
Who is Geno Smith?
Geno Smith started out with Jets after being selected as the second quarterback off the board in the 2013 NFL Draft. He went 8-8 as a rookie backing up Mark Sanchez, who was out with a shoulder injury.
The most iconic moment of his career (unfortunately) came after being sucker punched by a teammate prior to the 2015 NFL season. He was out for awhile with a broken jaw, the team went on to finish 10-6, and that was kind of it for Geno with the Jets... Wait, Was he the OG Jordan Poole?
After Geno's four-year stint with the Jets, he spent a year each with the Giants and Chargers prior to signing with the Seahawks to back up Russell Wilson.
Prior to joining the Seahawks, he had completed just 57.7% of pass attempts for 6.8 yards per attempt. He threw a total of 29 touchdowns... and 36 interceptions. Yeesh.
As a starter in 2022, Smith ranks fourth in NFL passer rating (108.1), ninth in passing yards and first in completion percentage (73.4%). Remember that 6.8 yards per attempt noted above? This year, he's averaging 8.0 — good for seventh-best in the league. Mind. Blown.
Seahawks stat munchies
The Seahawks are averaging 24.3 points per game. That's enough to lead the NFC West — and the second most points per game among any team in the NFC.
Seattle also is tied for the second-highest yards-per-play average (alongside the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions).
The Seahawks have been underdogs in each of their three wins so far this season. Could they make it a fourth win in Week 7?
