NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Which Coaches Are Earning Their Paycheck?
The stretch run of the NFL season is now officially here, with only the final quarter of the schedule remaining.
Although the playoff picture is starting to take shape, several teams can still earn surprise postseason berths....which means plenty of teams can choke away their chances, like the Giants and Broncos did a year ago.
Ultimately the praise for a postseason bid or the malice for being shut out of the playoffs will be thrust upon the head coach.
So who is earning their paycheck? Check inside to find out. And remember, overall record or place in the playoff rankings aren't the only factors.
No. 32 Through 21
1 of 21
No. 32: Josh McDaniels/Eric Studesville, Denver Broncos
Record: 3-9
This Week: at Arizona
Grade: F....literally, McDaniels failed.
McDaniels may have been young and in over his head, but the comparison to Bill Belichick's tenure in Cleveland are a bit far fetched.
No. 31: Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 2-10
This Week: at Pittsburgh
Grade: D
He may have won a division title last season, but losing nine straight games is borderline disastrous. The offsides penalty at the end of the loss to New Orleans was totally unacceptable.
No. 30: Ken Wisenhunt, Arizona Cardinals
Record: 3-9
This Week: vs. Denver
Grade: D
He doesn't have nearly the same talent as Marvin Lewis has in Cincinnati, but this type of collapse is due to more than Kurt Warner's retirement.
No. 29: Mike Singletary, San Francisco 49ers
Record: 4-8
This Week: vs. Seattle
Grade: C-
A .500 season is not going to save his job, especially not with several good candidates out there for John York to choose from.
No. 28: Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans
Record: 5-6
This Week: vs. Tennessee
Grade: C-
Going toe-to-toe with Vince Young/Bud Adams isn't as egregious as the team's play during this five-game losing streak.
No. 27: Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans
Record: 5-7
This Week: vs. Baltimore
Grade: C-
Four years without a postseason berth is bad. A fifth season (after starting out 5-2) is much worse.
No. 26: Mike Shanahan, Washington Redskins
Record: 5-7
This Week: vs. Tampa Bay
Grade: C-
Redskins owner Dan Snyder expected better from a two-time Super Bowl winner, but for any coach, 12 games is too short to declare their hiring a "disaster."
No. 25: Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions
Record: 2-10
This Week: vs. Green Bay
Grade: Although the record cannot be excused, and the Lions have lost five straight, they could very well have won four of those games and be sitting pretty at 6-6.
No. 24: John Fox, Carolina Panthers
Record: 1-11
This Week: vs. Carolina
Grade: C
The record is pathetic, and the team is not much better, but Fox has not been dealt a good hand in 2010.
No. 23: Chan Gailey, Buffalo Bills
Record: 2-10
This Week: vs. Cleveland
Grade: C
So painfully close to pulling out three wins in a row, it's not surprising that a trip to the Metrodome would be an unhappy one.
No. 22: Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts
Record: 6-6
This Week: at Tennessee
Grade: C
This team may still make the playoffs, and the injuries will be mostly to blame. But since last December, Caldwell is 9-8.
No. 21: Norv Turner, San Diego Chargers
Record: 6-6
This Week: vs. Kansas City
Grade: C
We were all ready to crown the Chargers AFC West champs until last week. And they looked unprepared to play against Oakland: five times Charger penalties gave the Raiders a first down.
No. 20: Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings
2 of 21
Record: 2-0
This Week: vs. New York Giants
Grade: B+/incomplete
Frazier has done an outstanding job in his short tenure. Not just on the field, but also dealing with a messy situation regarding Brett Favre, the firing of Brad Childress, and the team's terribly disappointing record.
Zygi Wilf would be wise to remove the "interim" tag from the coach's title. Otherwise, he will be a head coach somewhere else.
No. 19: Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins
3 of 21
Record: 6-6
This Week: vs. New York Jets
Grade: C+
The home record is a major concern: you can't go 1-5 at home, no matter how bad you are.
And the fact that this team can't put together a two-game winning streak (not since the beginning of the season) is not exactly the mark of a playoff-caliber team.
But Sparano has done a pretty good job, considering the carousel at quarterback, the marginal play of his quasi-stars (Ronnie Brown and Brandon Marshall), and a young defense.
Even if this club doesn't make the postseason, they will be good tests for the Jets and Patriots in the stretch run.
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No. 18: Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys
4 of 21
Record: 3-1
This Week: vs. Philadelphia
Grade: A-/incomplete
Garrett somehow infused new life into a seemingly lifeless team. Jerry Jones might want to lock him up now.
It's not that he's coached up the team that much better than Wade Phillips did, this was a playoff team just a year ago. But for whatever reason, he seems to relate better to the players, maybe because he quarterbacked in the NFL.
And with wins at Indianapolis and the Meadowlands against the Giants, in a month Garrett has already achieved more than a handful of his head coaching peers.
No. 17: Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks
5 of 21
Record: 6-6
This Week: at San Francisco
Grade: C+
Sure, the Seahawks have been terribly inconsistent in 2010. But this is still Carroll's first year on the job, and his first year in the NFL in over a decade. To be .500 and in the hunt for a division title is a big deal.
On the whole, the offense has not been very good, but Mike Williams is turning into a quality receiver, and Marshawn Lynch a solid NFL back.
The mediocrity of the defense is a little bit surprising, however. Even in a year's time, Carroll, a "defensive mastermind," should have the team doing better than 389 yards per game, third-worst in the NFL.
No. 16: Steve Spagnuolo, St. Louis Rams
6 of 21
Record: 6-6
This Week: at New Orleans
Grade: B
For taking a team that was 1-15 a year ago to the verge of a playoff spot, with a rookie quarterback starting every game, Spagnuolo is doing an exceptional job.
The Rams are not a "great" team, but they have found a way to very competitive. Aside from that clobbering at the hands of the Detroit Lions, the Rams have been in contention just about every week.
Still, the Rams don't have a victory over a team with an winning record. That's a pretty glaring omission on a head coach's resume.
No. 15: Eric Mangini, Cleveland Browns
7 of 21
Record: 5-7
This Week: at Buffalo
Grade: B
It's surprising that there is still talk of Mangini possibly getting canned at the end of the season: that must be the product of having a Super Bowl-winning head coach (Mike Holmgren) looking over your shoulder as team president.
Mangini has done a pretty remarkable job in Cleveland and not just via the stunning back-to-back wins over New Orleans and New England.
Since then, they lost in overtime to the Jets and by a late touchdown to the current AFC South leader, Jacksonville. Now they've won two in a row. Granted, those came against .500 Miami and one-win Carolina, but considering the entire body of work, Mangini should definitely come back in 2011.
No. 14: Tom Cable, Oakland Raiders
8 of 21
Record: 6-6
This Week: at Jacksonville
Grade: B
Anyone working for Al Davis probably has limited job security: if Jon Gruden is ushered out of town, then no one is safe in Oakland.
But Cable has done something that no one thought possible in recent years. He has the Raiders in the thick of the AFC West race in December, and all without much production from the quarterback position.
Cable has the Raiders playing pretty conventional, simple football: a tremendous running game coupled with an opportunistic defense. It might not be enough to win the division, but it should be enough for an extension.
No. 13: Rex Ryan, New York Jets
9 of 21
Record: 9-3
This Week: at Miami
Grade: B
The Jets probably aren't as good as they seemed back in October when they were riding a five-game winning streak, and they probably aren't in as much trouble as they seem following the 45-3 beatdown delivered by New England.
Despite several near-collapses/losses, prior to Monday night, the Jets will still make the postseason. But because New England has the inside track on the AFC East, they'll probably enter the playoffs as a wild card, just like they did in 2009.
The expectations in New York are always higher. But when you're as loud and confident as Ryan, your general manager brings in several great talents during the offseason, and your team is featured on HBO, the expectations are even higher.
No. 12: Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
10 of 21
Record: 9-3
This Week: vs. St. Louis
Grade: B
There isn't anything wrong with the Saints. They can still end up winning the NFC South, winning the conference and defend their title.
But they were lucky to escape with victories in each of the past two weeks. It's a little strange that after 10 days off following their fortunate Thanksgiving Day win, the team would look so mediocre in the second half against a 2-9 Bengals team: they were outscored 26-10 in the second half.
Although Drew Brees is the one making the throws, Payton has to share some of the blame for his 16 interceptions.
No. 11: Tom Coughlin, New York Giants
11 of 21
Record: 8-4
This Week: at Dallas
Grade: B
Considering how many mistakes his players have made on the field (17 interceptions, 14 fumbles) Coughlin is doing a pretty remarkable job.
Like Sean Payton, Coughlin probably deserves some of the blame for their turnover problems. But because most of those mistakes haven't cost the Giants a shot at the NFC East title, he is doing a fine job.
Since he's been dealing with injuries at several key spots (wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line), Coughlin deserves to be absolved of last year's December fiasco.
No. 10: John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
12 of 21
Record: 9-3
This Week: at Houston
Grade: B+
Obviously, a few bounces the other way (or if Joe Flacco had audibled prior to Troy Polamalu's game-changing sack/fumble) and the Ravens are in sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a great shot at the number two seed in the conference.
So the difference between Harbaugh and the next few coaches on the list is minimal. Still, the Ravens have struggled to close out games in recent weeks.
They had a lead against Atlanta and blew it, just like they did against the Steelers. Against the Bucs, they were held scoreless in the second half and only hung on at the end.
No. 9: Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears
13 of 21
Record: 9-3
This Week: vs. New England
Grade: B+
With the loads of talent on both sides of the ball, there's an argument to be made that the Bears should be 9-3, even if it's fairly surprising to many people around the league.
They've benefited from a few bad calls (twice against Detroit) and a few lucky breaks (playing Miami with a third string quarterback), but Lovie's club has come up with the scores on offense and the stops on defense needed to win close ball games.
That is largely the product of good coaching and good leadership.
No. 8: Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14 of 21
Record: 7-5
This Week: vs. Washington
Grade: A-
In another season, Raheem Morris would probably run away with Coach of the Year honors. They might be just 7-5 and without a victory over a club with a winning record, but they've had a great shot at winning late in the fourth quarter of every game since Week 6.
He took a miserable team and made them relevant in the span of one season. Even if they do miss out on the postseason, he's laid the foundation for a great season in 2011.
No. 7: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers
15 of 21
Record: 8-4
This Week: at Detroit
Grade: A-
A loss is a loss is a loss: there are no moral victories, especially in the NFL. But McCarthy's Packers have a pretty remarkable record.
In addition to their eight wins, they have four losses, each by a field goal.
Given that fact and the fact that both sides of the ball endured several debilitating injuries, McCarthy deserves tons of credit, even if they only win a wild card.
No. 6: Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 21
Record: 8-4
This Week: vs. San Diego
Grade: A-
Haley has done a masterful job in 2010.
There is stunning balance on the Chiefs' offense: You know about the tremendous two-headed backfield of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. But it's the emergence of Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe that Haley (and Charlie Weis) deserve a ton of credit for.
And the Chiefs defense has been pretty good under Romeo Crennel.
The only knock on the Chiefs is their average play within the division: they lost to the Raiders, were crushed by the Broncos, then narrowly escaped with a home win against Denver a month later.
No. 5: Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars
17 of 21
Record: 7-5
This Week: vs. Oakland
Grade: A
With a roster not nearly as talent-laden as some of his AFC counterparts, Del Rio has earned his paycheck and then some with the job he's done in 2010.
They don't win ugly, and they aren't exactly built to topple the "giants" of the conference if and when they have to travel on the road in the AFC playoffs. But they are in great position to win the AFC South.
Considering that many people had them finishing fourth in the division back in early September, that's impressive.
No. 4: Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons
18 of 21
Record: 10-2
This Week: at Carolina
Grade: A
Arthur Blank and Falcons fans should have few complaints about Smith.
At this point in the season, Atlanta is tops in the NFC and are the front runner for both the South and the top seed in the conference.
The only reason why Smith isn't higher on this list: the overwhelming talent on this team.
No. 3: Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
19 of 21
Record: 9-3
This Week: vs. Cincinnati
Grade: A
The 3-1 start without Ben Roethlisberger alone would probably be enough to earn earn him his paycheck.
But the job he's done with a junior varsity offensive line and a handful of injuries to the defensive line is outstanding, especially since Pittsburgh prides itself on "power football."
The Steelers have escaped a few weeks (at Buffalo, at Miami) on nothing short of luck, and they've been handled pretty easily by two of the top contenders in the league (New Orleans and New England), but they are still in the driver's seat for a division title and a number two seed.
No. 2: Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles
20 of 21
Record: 8-4
This Week: at Dallas
Grade: A
Resurrecting Michael Vick's career is only part of the reason why Andy Reid is the runner-up on this list.
That feat is his crowning his achievement of the 2010 season, but despite injuries to DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy and a fairly mediocre offensive line, the offense hasn't skipped a beat.
Even though the defense is not nearly as intimidating as it was a few years back, the Eagles have managed to play its best football in the fourth quarter.
No. 1: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
21 of 21
Record: 10-2
This Week: at Chicago
Grade: A+
New England's offensive genius, after trading Randy Moss (and the less publicized absence of Logan Mankins), will continue to be the hot topic as long as the Patriots continue through the regular season, playoffs, and possibly Super Bowl XLV.
But it's the job Belichick has done with the defense that is truly magnificent. He has a former first-round bust starting at defensive end, a rookie starting at inside linebacker, a rookie starting at defensive end/outside linebacker, and three of his four starting defensive backs are first or second-year players.
The overall statistics are not good, especially against the pass, but the last six quarters, the Pats have allowed just 10 points.
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