Hot Seat Watch for Players, Coaches After NFL Week 1

Week 1 of the 2013 NFL season is now in the books, which means we have our first winners, losers, stars and scapegoats of the regular season.

We also have our first list of players and coaches who could soon find themselves out of jobs if their performance do not improve over the next few weeks.

While it may seem a bit early in the season to begin placing individuals in the proverbial "hot seat," it is never too early to start looking to the future in those areas that are in need of an upgrade.

This list is sure to change over the course of the season, but for now, here is our initial look at players and coaches in the hot seat watch for 2013.

Brandon Weeden, QB, Cleveland Browns

It isn't exactly fair to place all of the blame for the Browns' 23-10 Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins on quarterback Brandon Weeden.

However, the nearly 30-year-old sophomore signal-caller is already on a short leash and his performance (26-of-53 for 289 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions), left a lot to be desired.

Quarterback isn't the only position in question for the Browns and Weeden hasn't benefited from a stellar supporting cast (two of his three picks on Sunday bounced off his receivers' hands).

Unfortunately, the Cleveland front office won't be making any excuses for a quarterback they had no hand in drafting.

If the former Oklahoma State star cannot find a way to quickly change the way he is perceived, he will likely be replaced by a quarterback who is yet-to-be found in the 2014 draft.

Green Bay Packers DC Dom Capers

It's only right to recognize the fact that Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers is a well-established and very well-respected NFL defensive coach.

With that said, it's worth wondering if it is time for a change in Green Bay, as the Packers' last two meaningful games were punctuated by a defensive meltdown against the San Francisco 49ers.

In the playoffs last season, the Packers were gashed on the ground by San Francisco to the tune of 323 yards.

In Week 1 of the 2013 season, it was the 49ers passing offense that haunted the Packers defense. Colin Kaepernick passed for 412 yards and three touchdowns. Anquan Boldin hauled in 13 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown as the 49ers handed Green Bay a 34-28 loss.

The 49ers are one of the better teams in the league, but the Packers defensive personnel are also deserve blame. Green Bay may start looking in a new defensive direction if Capers' defense continues to be a liability as the season wears on.

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is going to take plenty of criticism for throwing a fourth quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown during Monday night's 31-28 loss to the Houston Texans.

New head coach Mike McCoy will also be criticized for continuing to lean on the pass while holding a lead in the fourth quarter.

However, the real criticism should be directed at running back Ryan Mathews, whose inability to effectively move the ball on the ground forced McCoy to put Rivers in a position to throw the game away in the first place.

Mathews has been a disappointment since being drafted 12th overall back in 2010. He has produced just one 1,000-yard season. He has missed 10 games in his career, battled multiple injures and has a recurring fumbling problem over the course of his career.

On Monday, Mathews managed just 33 yards on 13 carries and was never able to spark any semblance of an actual running attack. If the former Fresno State star cannot find a way to get things going soon, the Chargers may be in the market for a new starting running back.

Carolina Panthers HC Ron Rivera

Despite having arguably the most dynamic quarterback in all of football at his disposal, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has struggled mightily to put a winning product on the field.

Carolina produced a 13-19 record during Rivera's first two seasons as head coach, which prompted the team to bring in new general manager Dave Gettleman during the offseason.

If the Panthers cannot find a way to improve in 2013, Gettleman could conceivably decide to bring in his own guy to take over coaching duties.

This means Rivera likely began the season in the hot seat. After dropping a winnable game to the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener, his seat may have gotten even warmer.

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

After two season of mostly mediocre play (career passer rating of 68.3), former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert finds himself in as uncertain a situation as a quarterback could find himself.

Gabbert narrowly beat out journeyman Chad Henne for the starting job this offseason. However, Gabbert won't have much breathing room and Sunday's 37-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs will only increase the possibility of Henne being handed the job.

Henne will have the starting job, at least for a week, as Gabbert has been ruled out for Week 2 with a hand injury.

Gabbert was far from impressive against the Chiefs (15-of-35 for 121 yards and two interceptions) and if Henne can perform even marginally better against the Raiders this week, it may be difficult for the Jaguars to justify turning back to Gabbert at all.