Seattle Seahawks vs. Saints: Staff predictions for Week 5

For the second season in a row, Geno Smith will start for the Seahawks as they play the Saints. Here is what our staff thinks will happen in Week 5.

The Seahawks are beginning to learn what they are in 2022. It’s OK they didn’t already know. This team went through a lot of offseason changes, including a new starting quarterback. That takes a bit of time to learn.

But what we have learned so far is that Geno Smith is a pretty darn good quarterback. He leads the NFL in completion percentage at 77.3 percent. That is an NFL record to begin a season. But we must also remember that Smith’s completion percentage in a limited time in 2021 was 68.4 so it’s not like he couldn’t throw the ball until now.

The issue is that the Seahawks have another bad defense. There are a few bright spots, like rookie corner Tariq Woolen, but he isn’t enough to overcome bad tackling and poor overall performance.

Staff predictions for Seahawks versus Saints in Week 5

The Saints don’t have a fantastic offense but at this point, it would seem nearly any offense can score against Seattle. New Orleans is 18th in points scored in 2022 (Seattle is 11th). But Seattle also has a recent history of letting backup quarterbacks put up huge numbers against them.

In Week 5 Seattle will face Andy Dalton most likely. He isn’t the greatest quarterback ever, but he was efficient in Week 4 against a good Vikings defense. Facing a bad Seahawks D will probably be easier for him.

One of the more interesting matchups will be DK Metcalf versus Marshon Lattimore. Metcalf had a great game in Week 4 but might be used more as a decoy in Week 5.

Staff predictions Week 5

Todd Vandenberg: Seattle 33 Saints 29

Jake Luppino: Seattle 23 Saints 20

Andrew Bailie: Seattle 22 Saints20

Geoff Shull: Saints 30 Seattle 17

Karley Sibert: Seattle 27 Saints 24

Matt Holm: Saints 23 Seattle 17

Max Downard: Seattle 31 Saints 28

Lee Vowell: Saints 20 Seahawks 17