National Football League

Packers on a nice roll

Published Nov. 5, 2010 8:17 p.m. ET

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Are the Seahawks the team to beat out West?

Are the Packers back?

Are the Steelers going away from their identity?

Is Mike Holmgren the next coach of the Cleveland Browns?

Did the Rams miss the boat on Randy Moss?

We figure it all out, with a game of boom or bust, SCHEIN 9 style.

1. The Seahawks are legit and will beat the Giants at home.

This is an absolute bust. And this was the case before Matt Hasselbeck was ruled out on Thursday with a concussion.

But now the Seattle Seahawks have to start Charlie Whitehurst against an elite pass rushing defense. I was very critical of Seattle in the off-season for eschewing the chance to draft a quarterback high in the second round (think Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy) and trading for San Diego’s third-string quarterback, while somehow giving Whitehurst a two-year deal for $10 million. This was for a guy who couldn’t beat out Billy Volek to be the back-up in San Diego. You can’t make this stuff up.

As a result, you knew at some point this season, whether it was injury or ineffective play, Whitehurst was going to play. He has no chance against Perry Fewell’s defense. Osi Umenyiora was just named the NFC defensive player of the month for October. The defensive end, benched a year ago, is enjoying a major rebirth under Fewell. Osi has seven sacks and six forced fumbles in his past four games. Umenyiora, Justin Tuck (who has four sacks and two forced fumbles of his own in the last four), Barry Cofield and company will manhandle the overmatched and nicked-up Seattle offensive line, and consequently Whitehurst.

Now I understand that Seattle is perfect on the season at home in front of their amazing fans, where the “12th man” is omnipresent and throaty. And I understand that the Giants have to make the long trip across the country, and the last time the Giants played in Seattle in 2006, the Seahawks jumped out to a 35-0 lead in the first half! And I give Seattle a legit edge on special teams with my guy Leon Washington leading the NFL with 33.7 yards per return.

But how can the Seattle run defense, trashed by Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, compete with Ahmad Bradshaw, who ranks second in the NFC in rushing and fourth in yards from scrimmage? How can the Seattle defensive backfield bottle up Eli Manning and Hakeem Nicks, who is tied for the lead in NFC receiving touchdowns with eight?

The Giants are the class of the NFC right now. But you have to be concerned in general if you are a Seahawks fan with the injuries and issues and the no-show last week.

Look at the Seahawks’ next four games - they have the Giants, are in Arizona, visit the Saints, and host the Chiefs, who can run down their collective throats. I know the division is putrid, but this stretch can be too much to overcome. I respect Pete Carroll and John Schneider, but this group needs a couple more off-seasons to rebuild.

2. Pittsburgh is getting too “pass happy”.

This criticism I do not understand. And neither did Mike Tomlin when we talked this week. It’s a total bust. Ben Roethlisberger is a top-five quarterback. He’s back. Chuck Batch is no longer playing. You use your weapons. End of story.

3. The Packers are back

Even though Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy lamented the play of his offense against the Jets when we chatted on Thursday on Sirius NFL Radio, this is a boom. Green Bay won the huge road game with defense and special teams. And even with Donald Driver’s current injury, and Jermichael Finley being lost for the season, I don’t worry about Aaron Rodgers poor performance against the Jets. Jordy Nelson and James Jones have really come on the last four weeks. Green Bay will smoke Dallas, and even with all of their injuries and inability to run the football, the Packers will win the NFC North.

4. Eric Mangini is a Mike Holmgren guy

In a wide-ranging interview this week on Madden Football with us on Sirius NFL Radio, I asked Holmgren that question. As Holmgren pointed out, Mangini is from the Bill Parcells / Bill Belichick tree. Holmgren’s from the Bill Walsh school of football. Holmgren didn’t go out of his way to say that Mangini is a good coach, instead referring to him as a “good guy” and saying “I like Eric”.

I took two things from Holmgren’s interview.

Holmgren has the itch to coach again.

And Mangini is not the answer. Nor should he be. It’s a bust.

I bet a “Holmgren guy” coaches Cleveland next year. I bet it is either Jon Gruden or Mike Holmgren.

5. The Titans bringing in Randy Moss was a logical move

I am not a Randy Moss fan. Never have been, never will be. His zany, irresponsible, “play when I want to play” act makes me sick.

But I’d call this a boom for three reasons.

Jeff Fisher is a great, strong-willed coach who can handle knuckleheads.

Kenny Britt, the Titans stud receiver is hurt. Let’s give Tennessee credit for being proactive.

And Chris Johnson just became more dominant. He is constantly facing eight men in the box. Moss, despite not really trying in Minnesota, is a threat you must account for. Look at the success Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin had with Moss.

6. The Rams should’ve claimed Moss

This is an absolute bust. I know the Rams receiver core resembles a witness protection program, filled with unknowns. But these no-names have done a good job. And Sam Bradford is a young, talented, impressionable quarterback. Steve Spagnuolo is just in the second year of laying down his foundation in St. Louis. Moss is the last player you bring in.

7. Ndamukong Suh is the defensive rookie of the year at the midway point

This is a total boom.

Suh leads all NFL rookies with 6.5 sacks.

But here’s the bigger question – is Suh the overall NFL defensive player of the year? He’s currently in my top three.

8. The NFL is smart to play football in Toronto this weekend.

Here’s my stance. It’s better for the Bills and their great fans to play seven in Buffalo and one in Toronto than eight in Los Angeles. It’s a boom.

For the last two years, the Bills got stuck playing division foes in Toronto down the stretch of the season. That’s just totally unfair. You should always play AFC teams in the elements in lovely Western New York. Finally, the league has acquiesced to the Bills valid demand (they’ve been asking for two years!) and Buffalo gets the NFC’s Bears in Toronto this weekend. That’s the perfect Canadian opponent.

9. The Bills made a good move picking up Shawne Merriman

I am on record saying Merriman has become a sideshow, more interested in dancing pregame and twitter than playing football. He hasn’t been a dominant player in years. But, I’ve accused the Bills of not putting forth a good effort. So, this is a boom.

The Bills made the transition to a 3-4 defense. Merriman has starred in the scheme in the past. Worst case scenario, you hope this pushes 2009 first round bust Aaron Maybin. It’s a logical step.
 

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