The Seattle Seahawks proved themselves to be legitimate contenders by beating the final undefeated team in the 2019 NFL season, winning a 27-24 overtime thriller over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.

Russell Wilson passed for 232 yards and ran for 53 more, Chris Carson rushed for 89 yards and the Seahawks offense overcame four turnovers because Seattle’s defense held San Francisco to only 302 total yards and created three turnovers.

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Seattle now sits at 8-2 entering its bye week, half a game behind the Niners in the NFC West and in a prime spot to qualify for the NFC Playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons.

But do the Seahawks have what it takes to win the NFC and get to the Super Bowl? They’re posted at +800 to win the NFC, fourth-lowest in the conference behind the New Orleans Saints (+300), San Francisco 49ers (+350) and Green Bay Packers (+500).

So, are the Seahawks a smart NFL betting wager to reach the Super Bowl?

3 Reasons Seahawks Are Good Super Bowl Bet

Russell Wilson. If he’s not the NFL MVP through 10 weeks, he’s right up there. Wilson has thrown for 23 touchdowns to just two interceptions and his ability to escape was a huge reason why the Seahawks pulled off the Monday night upset. He has completed 68.5% of his passes and his 8.4 yards per attempt is elite.

Offensive Balance. The offense ranks in the top 10 in both passing and rushing as Seattle has scored at least 27 points in all but one game since Week 1. Chris Carson has established himself as a lead back.

Josh Gordon. Gordon made his Seahawks debut Monday and had just two catches, but both were big. He had a 13-yarder on a huge third-down conversion in fourth quarter and a 14-yarder in overtime, also on third down. Gordon might be part of the top WR trio in the NFL, along with Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, by the time the playoffs come around.

3 Reasons Seahawks Aren’t Good Super Bowl Bet

Defensive issues. As solid as the offense is, the defense ranks 24th in yards allowed. Three times this season the defense has allowed at least 395 yards passing, and three other times a ground game gashed it (including 157 against the Browns and 199 against the Ravens in consecutive weeks).

Nothing has come easy. The Seahawks are finding ways to win, but the last two victories have come in OT. Seattle has one win all season by more than seven points (vs. the Cardinals in Week 4). The Seahawks are 1-2 against current playoff-positioned teams.

The NFC. The NFC is loaded with contenders. The San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings are right there. The Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles have talent and aren’t far behind. Five of Seattle’s last six games are against playoff contenders.

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The Verdict

There are nine legitimate contenders for six NFC playoff spots. Of those nine, the Seahawks rank last in points allowed per game (25.4). They rank 23rd in the NFL in that stat – five of the other eight NFC playoff contenders rank in the top 12. Seattle’s margin of victory ranks just seventh out of the nine.

Bet against Russell Wilson at your own risk, but the narrow wins against mediocre competition gives pause as Seattle begins the tough part of its schedule in a rugged NFC.