Ranking Each Head Coach in the 2012 NFL Playoffs

Now that the 12 playoff slots are filled and sports writers are salivating over the prospects of a Green Bay/New England Super Bowl, let's look at the teams that were also invited to the party.

And specifically, let's put the head coaches under the microscope.

Teams make the playoffs for various reasons. A great passing game. A pushing defense. A two-pronged running attack. And a great head coach.

While there are different paths each team took, the common denominator is a head coach who can lead his team to the Promised Land. And each other these "tour guides" possess different qualities that make them effective.

Here is a list of how each of the playoff head coaches rank.

12. John Fox, Denver Broncos

He has guided the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl. He has proven to be a good defensive mind. But this year, John Fox's Broncos seem to be on a short leash for success in the playoffs.

They got into the postseason with a loss, their third in a row, and had to have help from San Diego to solidify their position.

Fox can coach winners, but with Tim Tebow behind center, it would appear the Broncos are still riding a roller coaster.

11. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals

After posting the third winning record in the team's last 21 years, Marvin Lewis brings his team to the postseason.

This after drafting a quarterback and receiver in the 2011 Draft.

Lewis has gotten the most out of his players this season by cutting away the fat and concentrating on the positives of this team.

While they are a playoff team, they still may be a year or two away from really making a splash.

10. Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans

Kubiak finally got the monkey off his back when he took the Texans to the playoffs.

He can think Wade Phillips for giving him a defense to work with that was phenomenal.

Kubiak now must win in the playoffs.

With the shaky situation at quarterback, the team will rely on Ben Tate and Arian Foster to carry the load.

9. Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions

All Schwartz did was make a town believe in its team again.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford became an elite star this season. Calvin Johnson continued to prove he was one of the best receivers in the game.

The defense continues to get better, and Schwartz continues to pull all the right strings.

8. Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons

Smith has his Falcons peaking at the right time. Forget the onslaught by New Orleans because the Saints were going to win that game against anyone with Dan Marino's record on the line.

Matt Ryan is a better passer than he has ever been. Michael Turner still barrels through the line with fire. And the receivers led by Roddy White and Julio Jones are just beasts.

And Smith's defense is pretty good, led by John Abraham and Brent Grimes.

7. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

He seems to be a good coach, but I am not convinced.

Baltimore won the AFC North title by defeating Pittsburgh twice. But when you look at this team, they do things at times with smoke and mirrors.

The defense is a year older, Ray Lewis has been injured this year and the passing game is as erratic as the Orioles batting order.

A Super Bowl placement would make people feel a lot better about the offense and make me believe Harbaugh is one of the NFL's elite.

6. Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers

He isn't ranked higher because he is a rookie.

Let's see what happens after he wins a playoff game.

Harbaugh is a class act and has proven he was the right man for the job when the 49ers brass hired him.

Harbaugh helped lead Alex Smith, a staunch rushing defense and a great running game led by Frank Gore toward the top of the NFC crown.

5. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants

There is something about the "General" I love.

Maybe it is from seeing him for years here in Jacksonville, but he knows how to win when he needs to. He proved that against the Cowboys and now that the Giants are in the postseason, everyone gets a clean slate.

Coughlin and his staff have proven they can win and beat some pretty good talent along the way.

4. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots

Captain Hoodie just continues to amaze.

This team had a weak defense, few real pass-rushers, a struggling running game and some of the best tight ends in the game.

And the Patriots also have this guy named Tom Brady as well.

New England can make it to the Super Bowl based on Brady's arm and a receiving corps that is the best in the AFC.

3. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints

He is two years removed from winning the Super Bowl, and this year's team may be better than the one he coached to the Lombardi Trophy.

Payton seems to find the right fit for his players while displaying a level we don't see with every playoff coach.

He is the right man to oversee Drew Brees and the potent Saints aerial attack.

2. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

He is back in the saddle again, and this time, his offense looks better than last year.

Ben Roethlisberger continues to develop into a top-flight passer with great receivers. 

If the running game can pick up for an injured Rashard Mendenhall and the defense defies age, Tomlin and his Steelers could be back in the big game again.

1. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers

He gets the nod at the top for several reasons.

He won the last Super Bowl. He kept his team focused during an odd offseason.

He improved on the team's success last year.

And of course, he has one of the league's best passers in Aaron Rodgers.

Any questions?