NFL Coach Rankings: Marvin Lewis, Gary Kubiak Feeling the Heat

Another week, another set of losses for some of our troubled coaches.

As the year winds down, we're going to take a look at how our two replacement coaches are doing, kick some names around for permanent coaching replacements and take a look at the opposite end of the spectrum with some Coach of the Year candidates.

Here are the Coach Rankings as we gear up for Week 15.

Coach of the Year

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on in the first half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

As we head toward the end of the season, several coaches have failed, but several have succeeded in the face of some daunting circumstances.

Here's a look at some candidates for NFL Coach of the Year.

Bill Belichick

His teams are legendary, but this year he's winning with a defense of nameless newbies and an offense with only one true star in Tom Brady. This could be his best work to date.

Mike Tomlin

The Steelers were projected as a seven-win team by many. After a stunning 3-1 start without Ben Roethlisberger, Tomlin has continued to will the Steelers along through injuries, questionable officiating and personnel changes.

Todd Haley

Who'd have guessed the Chiefs would be leading the AFC West going into Week 15? Haley has done masterful work in Kansas City, improving the defense and returning the offense to the threat it used to be.

Raheem Morris

Another "who knew" pick. The Bucs were awful last year. Morris has them in the playoff hunt now, and his work with the young defense has shone bright all season.

Jack Del Rio

Yet another one no one saw coming. Del Rio has the Jaguars atop the AFC South and has them playing good football when it matters most: late in the season.

Lovie Smith

The Bears were dreadful last year. This year, with his job on the line, Lovie Smith has them in first place and positioned for a possible first round bye. Mike Martz should win assistant coach of the year honors for his work with Jay Cutler.

Steve Spagnuolo

The Rams were an afterthought in the NFL this year after drafting first overall. Spagnuolo has them in a first place tie and positioned to make a playoff run for the first time since the Mike Martz days.

The Warm Seat: Who We Should Be Watching

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher watches the game from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Here's a look at some potential firings if things don't change quickly.

Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans

Fisher's team battled hard against Indianapolis, but in the end it was another loss. The victory total isn't the problem. The potential showdown with owner Bud Adams over whether or not Vince Young stays on the team is what's got people thinking Fisher will be leaving.

If Adams forces him to keep Young, I could see Fisher resigning. He'd be a shoo-in for any opening out there, so he'll be somewhere with his cool shades in 2011.

Mike Singletary, San Francisco 49ers

Until they're out of playoff contention, which in the NFC West could be never, he's only on the watch list. It's hard to imagine him surviving regardless, but Jed York may look at backing into the playoffs at 8-8 as a sign of progress.

Singletary's got to settle on a quarterback. The carousel method he's been using is going to burn his team in the end.

Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins

We can downgrade him a little after he got his team back over .500 by beating the tough Jets. He's not out of the woods yet, particularly with his team not playing particularly good football. If he can upset a few more teams and affect the playoff picture, he may just stick around. He won't have Bill Parcells to protect him, though.

Eric Mangini, Cleveland Browns

You've got to wonder. The Browns played very well for several weeks, but they have fallen apart with Jake Delhomme back under center. Mike Holmgren surprised everyone by keeping Mangini once. Will he do it again, or will he go for one of his guys?

Turn Out the Lights, the Party's (Almost) Over

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the game against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Bengals 26-10. (Photo by

Here are two coaches you can expect to be fired either now or when the season is over. As the late Don Meredith sang, "All good things must end."

Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans

It was close last night against Baltimore, but in the end it was another heartbreaking, late mistake that coast the Texans a victory. At 5-8 there's next to no possibility that they make a playoff run.

After finishing 9-7 and barely missing the playoffs last year, Kubiak's team has taken a huge step back this year. He has been on the hot seat since last season. With a defense that can't stop anyone, you have to think that Houston will go after a more defensively-minded coach.

Kubiak could wind up in Denver if the Broncos choose to go with another offensive-minded coach.

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals

Another ugly loss. The Bengals had all of the momentum early after scoring on their first possession. After that, however, it fell apart. Carson Palmer had an awful three-interception game. The defense was good but still got torched for a lot of yards. They allowed the Steelers to chew up clock.

Lewis' team has no discipline, has a raft of injuries and is out of sync. He's shown no ability to get the Bengals into the playoffs two years in a row. They've been competitive lately, but they still can't find a way to win games. Instead, they are finding ways to lose.

It's time for a change. Lewis would be an elite defensive coordinator hire if he chooses to stay in the NFL.

How About the Replacements?

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Interim head coach Eric Studesville of the Denver Broncos reacts during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Bron

Here's a look at how our replacement coaches are doing.

Eric Studesville, Denver Broncos

He's our newest replacement, and he's off to a poor start. The Broncos were manhandled by the lowly Cardinals on Sunday, allowing even Arizona's kicker to score a touchdown.

Studesville, who has no experience as a coordinator or head coach at any level, is very obviously not a candidate for the permanent job. He's overmatched and is just keeping the seat warm.

Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings

Frazier's Vikings dealt with some serious issues this week. The roof of their stadium collapsed. They had to travel to Detroit in the snow to play a neutral site game a day late. Their starting quarterback's iron man streak of starts ended. The game almost was an afterthought.

After falling 21-3 to the New York Giants, it seems that Frazier's team is falling apart, but the reality is that this was a tough week. Frazier still has the inside track to keep the job. Now he can safely leave Brett Favre on the bench and find out what Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb have in store.

Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys

Garrett's Cowboys took Philadelphia to the wire on Sunday night. They were very tough to beat. The Cowboys look more disciplined under Garrett. It's apparent he's likely to keep the job even if Jeff Fisher or another experienced coach is available. He certainly has regained his hot candidate status. I'm impressed with how he's recovered this team from a lost season. What a great job.

Kicking Around Some Names

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns defensive coodinator Rob Ryan watches warmups during a game agaisnt the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on November 21, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Here's an early look at three guys who could be in the big chair come spring.

Rob Ryan

He's been a great defensive coordinator for years now and has barely missed head coaching jobs in Oakland and Cleveland. He could be on some teams' lists, particularly in light of several teams having struggling defenses.

Mike Martz

Martz seems happy as a coordinator, but he's certainly rehabilitated his image as a great mind. He should be atop some lists should he wish to return to the top job, and he could land somewhere like San Francisco, where offense is an issue.

Mike Nolan

Could he make a return to coaching after failing in San Francisco? His work as a defensive coordinator before and since makes it a possibility. He's been great, and his disciplined style could play well with teams like Denver and Tennessee, where that seems to be among the problems.