New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks prediction, pick, odds: Battle of biggest surprises

Geno Smith, who took over after Russell Wilson was traded to Denver in the offseason, leads the league with a 73.5 completion percentage. He’s third in quarterback rating (107.7), behind only Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (109.5) and Buffalo’s Josh Allen (109.1).

“We have a long way to go — 4-3 is OK but it’s not the greatest,” Smith said. “We must keep building.”

With running back Rashaad Penny out for the season after ankle surgery, rookie Kenneth Walker III has stepped up.

Walker rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns — including a clinching 74-yarder in the fourth quarter — in a 37-23 victory against the host Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday, the Seahawks’ first victory against a team with a winning record.

Smith completed 20 of 27 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, his fifth multi-TD game of the season. Marquise Goodwin, filling in after DK Metcalf went down with a knee injury late in the first quarter, made a pair of TD receptions.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was unaware his team was in first place when he met with his players in the locker room following Sunday’s victory.

“I would have been going nuts about that. That’s fun, too. That’s good,” Carroll said. “Seven weeks in and look where we are. Who would have thunk it?”

Metcalf was among the Seahawks to miss practice time this week, along with fellow receiver Penny Hart (hamstring), offensive guard Phil Haynes (concussion), linebacker/fullback Nick Bellore (concussion), defensive end Poona Ford (ankle) and outside linebacker Darrell Taylor (groin).

The Giants, who have been banged up and have a bye next week, have worked out without wide receivers Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (hamstring), tight end Daniel Bellinger (eye), guard Ben Bredeson (knee), tackle Evan Neal (knee), linebacker Oshane Ximines (quad) and cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (calf).