NFL Playoffs 2011: Ranking the Head Coaches, From Pete Carroll To Jim Caldwell

Pete Carroll led the Seattle Seahawks to one of the biggest upsets in playoff history.

Jim Caldwell called a confusing timeout that may have cost the Indianapolis Colts the game.

Overall, four coaches won on Wild Card Weekend and four coaches went home.

So, how did each coach's individual performance match up with the performances of his peers?

Here's a list of the best and worst coaches from Wild Card Weekend, along with my picks for this weekend's divisional playoff games.

8. Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: (L-R) Head coach Jim Caldwell and Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Up by two points with under a minute left, the Colts were trying to keep the Jets out of field goal range.

The Jets still had one timeout and were inside Colts' territory.

As they were scrambling to get another play off and preserve their timeout, Caldwell inexplicably called a timeout.

That allowed the Jets to set up a play that allowed them to attempt a 34-yard field goal instead of the 53-yard field goal they would have attempted without that extra time.

Nick Folk is no sure thing from any distance, but allowing him to move inside 40 yards cost the Colts the game.

7. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints looks on before the Saints take on the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule

The defense really fell apart this game, so most of the blame should fall on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

But, even though the offense put up 36 points, they still made some costly mistakes.

The biggest example was the fourth-and-inches hand-off to Julius Jones.

A quarterback sneak would have sufficed in that situation and the Saints probably would have advanced.

6. Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Head coach Todd Haley of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Ge

Though there weren't any glaring examples of ineptitude, Haley and the Chiefs were thoroughly outplayed in every aspect of the game on Sunday.

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis laid an egg in his last game with the team and the offensive line couldn't protect Matt Cassel.

Dwayne Bowe was a non-factor, and that cost the Chiefs the game.

But, this is a talented team that will rebound and should be in the playoffs again in 2011.

5. Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris

Reid had the Eagles in a position to win the game late in the fourth quarter.

That's all you can ask for from a head coach.

The coaching staff struggled with the Packer attack, but the Eagles were still within one under-thrown pass from Michael Vick away from advancing to the next round. 

4. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers looks on during their game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

The Packers went into halftime on Sunday with a 14-3 lead.

Apparently, McCarthy was satisfied with that lead. In the first drive of the second half, he switched over to some uber-conservative play-calling.

Basically, he took his foot off the gas pedal and started playing not to lose, instead of going for the win.

But, maybe the Eagles' semi-comeback opened his eyes. I guess we'll find out on Saturday night when the Packers play the Falcons.

3. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens calls timeout during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Doug Pen

Harbaugh had the easiest day by far.

His defense shut down the Chiefs and his offense put up plenty of points as they cruised to an easy victory.

He'll have his work cut out for him on Saturday afternoon though, as the Ravens have to go to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers.

2. Rex Ryan, New York Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets looks on during warm ups against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy

Ryan deserves credit for the best defensive scheme of the weekend.

Instead of going after Peyton Manning with his trademark blitzes, he decided to play coverage instead.

That decision gave Manning fits all day and helped the Jets pull off a close win.

The offense will need to step up this week against the Patriots, but the defense is still a force.

1. Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks reacts in the first half as the Seahawks take on the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo

No one outside of Seattle (myself included) gave the Seahawks a chance to beat the Saints.

But, somehow, some way, Seattle got the job done.

Credit for the improbable upset goes to Carroll, who had his team relaxed and ready for everything the Saints threw at them all afternoon.

AFC Picks

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Patriots 34, Jets 28 - It won't be a 45-3 blowout, but the Patriots will once again be victorious against the Jets.

Ravens 21, Steelers 20 - The Ravens will ride the momentum from their thrashing of the Chiefs to pull off a narrow victory in Pittsburgh.

NFC Picks

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons runs upfield during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Falcons 20, Packers 17 - Michael Turner once again runs all over the Packers in an exact repeat of what happened when these teams met during the regular season.

Bears 31, Seahawks 21 - The Seahawks magic doesn't work on the road and the Bears advance to the NFC Championship Game.