7 Coaches Operating on Super Bowl-or-Bust Mentality

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Some NFL teams are happy to turn out winning records, and others are content to see the glitz and glamour of the postseason.

However, for a select few teams and head coaches, every season means a "Super Bowl-or-bust mentality."

Elite NFL franchises know what it takes to bring the Lombardi Trophy home and contend for that honor almost every year.

The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants will settle for nothing less than another title; which of their counterparts feel the same way?

Let's start with a head coach whose seat is usually unjustifiably hot...

7. Andy Reid

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There is no talk of a "dream team" this season in Philadelphia. The Eagles are nobody's favorite to win the Super Bowl or even represent the NFC.

However, that may be a blessing in disguise for a unit that was far too public just a season ago. Head coach Andy Reid has been at the helm since 1999, and his team has yet to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Clearly the boisterous and outspoken ways of seasons' past failed, but perhaps the new grinding nature of his club will give way to a run at the title. At 3-2, Philadelphia has not been great this season, but it leads the NFC East division and is finding ways to win close games.

You can't see it, but somewhere under Reid's moustache, he is smiling.

6. Mike Tomlin

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Mike Tomlin has won a Super Bowl, but he has also lost one. Knowing the feelings accompanied with both of those experiences means that Tomlin cannot be satisfied without winning it all.

No matter who is coaching or what type of talent is on the roster, the Steelers organization is never happy to simply "make the playoffs."

This is a team that wants to beat the Baltimore Ravens twice a year, win the AFC North and bring Super Bowls back to the "Steel City."

The main issue for Pittsburgh at present is the wave of injuries that continues to strike. Troy Polamalu can't seem to stay on the field for extended periods of time, James Harrison has missed time and just when Rashard Mendenhall was back and healthy, he got hurt again.

Excuses are never a part of the Pittsburgh product though, and Tomlin is a good enough coach to work around any deficiencies.

5. Mike McCarthy

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When you have an offense as high powered as the one in Green Bay, anything less than a Super Bowl is unacceptable.

The Packers may only be 2-3 this season, but they could explode at any time, and head coach Mike McCarthy will accept nothing less than success.

His press conferences may be similarly dreary regardless of any given game's outcome, but McCarthy knows how to get the best out of his team.

Green Bay has struggled in the secondary this season and has yet to develop the type of balanced offensive attack that it has strived for this season.

Still, the NFC North race is wide open, and Aaron Rodgers is too good to count out already this season.

4. And 3. the Harbaugh Brothers

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Jim and John Harbaugh are shown together both because they are brothers and because they are in similar situations.

Neither has won a Super Bowl yet, but they are also both leading elite teams that are favorites to win it all.

Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers employ possibly the league's best defense and one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the league.

John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens? Ditto.

These are two competitive human beings that want the upper hand on each other and the rest of the league.

2. Bill Belichick

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Does anyone think Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the rest of the New England Patriots organization would be content with anything less than a championship this season?

Doubtful.

The Patriots have a "Super Bowl-or-bust" mentality every season, and two title game losses to the New York Giants in the last five years can only add fuel to that fire.

A team once considered a dynasty is now questioned in the big games, and the "Belichick aura" has lost some of its luster.

Still, New England is a lethal squad with one of the best head coach/QB tandems of all time. Taking advantage of a weak AFC East and competing in the postseason should be a non-issue.