Jim Moore: At this point, anything is possible for Geno Smith and the reborn Seahawks

After Sunday’s 37-23 win over the Chargers, we’ve officially reached the point of thinking the Seahawks could win the NFC West, since they actually lead the division after seven games at 4-3.

Why stop there? If this were a craps table, I’d be throwing chips at everything involving the Seahawks and Geno Smith and betting against the dice when it comes to the Broncos and Russell Wilson.

You name it, and whatever it is, you can make a case for it now, whether it’s the Seahawks making the playoffs or even winning the Super Bowl. Whether it’s Geno Smith being Comeback Player of the Year or MVP of the whole darn league.

And what’s going on in Denver is just as intriguing. The Broncos lost to the Jets 16-9 Sunday and are 2-5. If the draft were held today, the Seahawks, who hold Denver’s first-round choice, would have the sixth pick overall.

I’ve never seen a season like this for scoreboard watching. If you’re a Seahawks fan, you’re rooting for NFC West rivals and the Broncos to lose while hoping that the worst teams in the league win. Denver is only a half-game behind the team with the worst record in the league, the Lions at 1-5.

Considering the coaching buffoonery of Nathaniel Hackett and the fall of Wilson, it’s not inconceivable to think that Denver might be in contention for the No. 1 pick all year long.

Imagine a scenario in which the Seahawks win the Super Bowl, Pete Carroll is named coach of the year, a parade is held on Fourth Avenue, Smith signs a multi-year contract befitting a franchise quarterback, and Seattle builds around him with four picks in the first two rounds of the 2023 draft, including No. 1 overall.

Yeah, I know that’s crazy talk, but how crazy is it anymore? I also realize I’m the dummy who wrote that the season was pretty much shot after the Seahawks lost to the Falcons in September. But even dummies can change their minds when a dramatic turn of events transpires right in front of us, week after week.

Whether you believe it or not, statistically speaking, Smith is a top five quarterback this year. And I suppose this is terrible to say, but Rashaad Penny’s broken leg might have been a stroke of luck because it’s turned rookie Ken Walker into a potential superstar.

This is reminiscent of the season-ending shoulder injury to Mariners’ catcher Tom Murphy, opening the way for Cal Raleigh to become one of the best catchers in the majors.

Walker rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers, becoming the first Seattle rookie running back to rush for more than 150 yards and two TDs since Curt Warner in 1983. Warner, for my money, remains the best running back in franchise history, so that’s some pretty cool company for Walker.

With that kind of running game coupled with Smith’s brilliance and his array of targets, including three tight ends and a third receiver in Marquise Goodwin, it has the ingredients for a consistently potent offense.

Plus the defense has come around, flying all over the place, rallying to the ball, making stops, looking faster than ever. Two weeks ago I would have hoped for an average defense, but all of a sudden these guys are better than that, blanketing receivers and stuffing the run.

If you’re still doubting Smith and the Seahawks, how is that possible? Heck, even Vegas believes in them now. This Sunday’s opponent, the Giants, are 6-1, possessing the second-best record in the entire league. Yet the Seahawks are favored by three points in Sunday’s game at Lumen Field.

It’s hard to see what’s missing from the Seahawks aside from a perfect ending to what has been a storybook season thus far.

Jim Moore has covered Washington’s sports scene from every angle for multiple news outlets. You can find him on Twitter @cougsgo, and on 950 KJR-AM, where he co-hosts a sports talk show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays.