2012 NFL Playoffs: 7 Coaches We Trust with the Game on the Line

Your team has the final possession of the game. With two minutes left on the clock and no times outs, your team marches down the field. There is no panic, just a sense of urgency.

With a calm look, the team's head coach calls the plays from the sidelines. Everything goes according to plan, just like it was rehearsed in practice.

Touchdown!

Don't we all wish it were that easy? For some teams, it is that easy. Or it appears that way. NFL head coaches, especially ones who take their teams to the Super Bowl, are clutch in those situations.

That is why you see kickers surprising everyone with on-side kicks. That's why you see long bombs to a wide open fourth receiver on first down. That is why you see a give to the full back on 4th-and-1 from the 2 yard line.

These coaches are the ones you want making those plays in the heat of the moment. They are the ones you can trust when the game is on the line.

7. John Fox, Denver Broncos

I think John Fox is still a good coach in this league.

He has weathered the storm with Tim Tebow, and his defense is getting better with youth and speed.

If the game is tight in the fourth quarter between Pittsburgh and Denver, could Fox and Tebow pull off the upset?

It could happen.

6. Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons

He's a gambler at times.

I like the fact he takes those chances, but in the playoffs, it really should be more about the players than gut instinct.

Smith has a capable defense and an offense that is looking to explode. The Falcons could be the Packers of last year.

5. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers

This may be a little low for McCarthy, but look at it this way—most of the games the Packers have been involved in have been so out of reach.

The 45-41 win over Detroit was the closest win they had all season. And with the passing attack the way it is, there is little need to panic in tight situations.

McCarthy usually has everything under control.

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4. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants

When Tom Coughlin only has to worry about coaching, he is at his best.

And when it comes to taking his team to the playoffs, few motivate like Coughlin does. He is a great postseason coach.

His coaching and win against New England in the Super Bowl is proof he is great when the game is on the line.

3. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

Throughout history, the Steelers and their head coaches have been money come the playoffs.

Mike Tomlin is not the exception to this rule.

While he has great coordinators in Bruce Arians and Dick LeBeau, Tomlin fires the troops up and motivates them to do great things.

He was the perfect fit to replace Bill Cowher.

2. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints

The reason he is second is simple. He and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael have the best passing offense in the game.

Drew Brees is the best quarterback in the NFL. His receivers are pretty darn good too. And with seconds left in a game, there are not many others you want with the ball in their hands.

Payton makes the call. Brees makes it work.

1. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots

Without a solid defense, the Patriots rely on the arm of Tom Brady and the hands of Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.

And they still manage to win 13 games.

Until he leaves the NFL, Belichick will be known as the "task master," and like so many in the game, I wouldn't bet against him when the game is on the line.