NFL Rankings: Head Coaches on Hot Seat for 2012

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Head coaches lose their jobs each year in the NFL. It is unavoidable, expected and in some cases, it's warranted.

Coaches live on the edge each game of the season. With the NFL being the shortest of the sports seasons, every game is played like life and death and in some cases, it becomes that.

This season, maybe more than ever, we are glued to see which head coaches are feeling the heat from the seat they sit in. The offseason did little to help teams with conditioning, continuity or unity, so coaches worked harder to make sure their teams were ready for the upcoming season.

Some found the right magic. Others failed miserably.

These coaches may or may not be receiving pink slips at the end of the season.

Tony Sparano, Miami

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Here is the thing about Tony Sparano. The Dolphins fought hard in every game they lost except for a few. Then they started this three-game winning streak.

If the Fins put together a few more wins this season, it is quite possible Sparano keeps his job. But for now, we will have to wait and see what happens.

Matt Moore cannot be the answer to this team's woes.

Rex Ryan, New York Jets

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Could the "Rex Show" be getting old in New York?

His team jumps out to a 3-0 record. He says he could win in San Diego. He has an erratic quarterback and now he gets fined for comments he has made.

Yes, Rex Ryan is made for New York.

But will the New York fans and the owners of the team continue to put up with his mouth and posturing without a title?

Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona

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They have fallen apart since getting to the Super Bowl.

Ken Whisenhunt is a great coach and a great motivator. Injuries have hurt them, as did the loss of Kurt Warner.

A sagging defense hurt them.

Sometimes you need to stop the pain.

Leslie Frazier, Minnesota

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The Vikings are a once-proud franchise. Some guy named Favre played there.

The team has suffered over the past two seasons and its two best players, Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen, are suffering most by having outstanding seasons.

Christian Ponder is the answer at quarterback.

Frazier may not be the answer as head coach.

Mike Shanahan, Washington

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He knows how to win, but he hasn't the right personnel to do it.

Shanahan has fought through injuries this season, but shoddy quarterback play will be his downfall in the nation's capital.

If he had a good passing attack and a stronger running game, things may be different.

Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville

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I am convinced he would be a success...in college.

Del Rio is a great coordinator and a good guy, but he is not the NFL coach to lead Jacksonville to the promised land.

Time after time his teams come up short, as evidenced in last week's 14-10 loss to the Browns.

Turn out the lights; this party is over.

Norv Turner, San Diego

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This guy has more lives than a cat.

Turner must know the writing is, well, in the papers.

He has lost five straight for the team's first five-game losing streak since 2003.

Philip Rivers is having a mediocre season and this team looks like it wants to start an early vacation.

Todd Haley, Kansas City

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When the season started, it looked like Haley may be the first coach fired.

Then his team won four in a row.

Then they fell apart again.

The Chiefs may be the league's biggest enigma, but that may cost a good coach his job.

Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis

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I am not sure how he weathers this storm without being made the scapegoat.

Jim Caldwell is under fire, and it does not matter what the Irsays or Bill Polians say about it.

When your team is winless and you have no answer for teams like Cleveland and Jacksonville, you have to take a long, hard look at everything around your team and begin to rebuild.

That is what this organization has to do.