It's the middle of December, and the rapid-fire "hot takes" are flying as the 2014 NFL regular season winds down.Not so fast, folks.In this edition of the Schein Nine, let's evaluate -- and debunk -- nine popular notions wrongly taking root in the league.1) The NFL needs to reconsider playoff seedingYes, this year's NFC South has been one of the worst divisions since realignment, with the 5-8 currently "winning" the race for the top spot -- and that comes with it. But the overreaction to this blip drives me nuts.In the offseason, saying the division would be the most competitive and field four good teams. In the preseason, I predicted the last-place team would win seven games. Nobody batted an eye. All four squads were variously picked by different pundits to win nine or more games.The , , and are all underachieving in the same year. They could all easily bounce back next year, with the right kind of offseason. This situation isn't representative of the norm, and the format shouldn't be changed.Divisional rivalries are among the most intense in the NFL. There's a reason all but two of the games on Thursday night this year (the between Seattle and Green Bay and last week) are divisional bouts. Teams draft to beat the others in their division; divisions create the most drama in the league.Sure, it would be painful to be a player, coach or fan of a 10-win team that mi ses the posteason while a six- or seven-win squad hosts a playoff game. But, to quote the great , "It is what it is." The benefits of the current format outweigh the one negative. Remember 2010, when nobody thought the 7-9 could beat the 11-5 in the wild-card round? Well, , and the Seattle upset added to that playoff experience.It isn't ideal that a bad team will be rewarded with a home game in the playoffs. But it's a fluke. The system works. 2) A wide receiver will be the Offensive Rookie of the YearYou can make a very intelligent argument that this is in NFL history, and you can base that argument upon who have stepped in and made an immediate impact. , Jr., , , and (who, unfortunately, is now on injured reserve) have all been fantastic. Guys like and have been strong. Evans has incredible numbers. Beckham has been consistently dominant lately, while putting up highlight-reel circus catches.But the best offensive rookie this season doesn't play a glamour position or help your fantasy team. Barring anything unforeseen, I will be casting my vote for guard .Yes, to select over last May has been the elite player in a stellar cla s of first-year offensive pros. Martin's domination from Day 1 has buttre sed running back 's sensational season, while also giving time to throw. Martin has been the best, most consistent and most important rookie on offense this year.3) The Packers' defense was exposed MondayAre you kidding me? The fact that this sentiment took hold in some circles following over the is ridiculous.At halftime, the were up 31-7. The game was over. Green Bay's play-by-play voice, Wayne Larrivee, characterized a first-half touchdown as a "dagger" -- and he wasn't being outlandish. The took their feet off the gas pedal and the took advantage of Austin Voth Jersey the lack of aggre sivene s to come back. Forget the final score; this was a blowout.And if you think Green Bay's defense isn't improved and legit, you mi sed over the . Save the nonsense for someone else.4) The loser of Cowboys-Eagles will mi s the postseasonI think Dallas and Philadelphia will both be playing in the postseason, regardle s of what happens Sunday night.If you saw how the had to fight to last week, you can easily conjure a scenario in which Dallas . Philly, meanwhile, -- two gift wins.I think Detroit has a greater chance of slipping than the runner-up in the NFC East.5) Jadeveon Clowney is a bustThis notion makes me crazy -- and it really does the same to coach . Appearing last week on my SiriusXM Radio show, "Schein on Sports," O'Brien rushed to Clowney's defense, citing the No. 1 overall pick's work ethic and love of football. Clowney's injuries were real, as evidenced by the fact he had to and on his knee.His availability at the start of the 2015 season is in question, but I think Clowney, who is a special athlete, will work his way back. It's way too premature to write him off.6) Pittsburgh is steaming toward the playoffsHarrison: Power Rankings, Week 15In the latest edition of his weekly NFL pecking order, Elliot Harrison welcomes a familiar team back into the top five. The notched last week, but I'm not ready to hand a postseason berth to Pittsburgh quite yet. The finish with and at home. Will they go 3-0? 0-3? Anywhere in between?I do think on Sunday, which will help the ' cause if Baltimore -- which finishes with -- runs the table. Pittsburgh has a chance, but we should pump the brakes when it comes to printing playoff tickets.Suddenly, by the way, the final portion of -- -- doesn't look so daunting. I expect the Bolts, currently in line for a wild-card spot, to make it.7) Marc Trestman is a dead man walkingIf the put up another prime-time no-show in , Trestman should be cooked. The ' play and lack of interest this season has been pathetic.But history suggests Chicago will give Trestman one more year, regardle s of the outcome this week. I think the organization would like to see this through -- though if the keep losing, anything is po sible.8) The Saints need to prioritize taking a quarterback high in the draft hasn't played well at all this year. And I haven't received any nasty tweets from fans like I did last winter, when I . But rather than putting a new signal-caller atop its wish list, New Orleans must prioritize fixing its defense, in addition to finding a new defensive coordinator. The also need to addre s the offensive line and figure out what to do with resurgent running back -- whose contract runs out after this season -- before talking about a young gunslinger.9) Players don't scoreboard watchYes, they do. And they should.I talked to quarterback on Thursday's "Schein on Sports," and Flacco quipped that "of course" he watches the scoreboard. Actually, he specifically cited "NFL RedZone," which he uses to track the , and .Welcome to the beauty of the AFC North. And thanks to the red-hot Flacco -- who, as I hinted above, will lead the to the playoffs -- for being honest.Follow Adam Schein on Twitter . Bryce Harper Jersey