NFL Rankings: The 5 Best Quarterback-Head Coach Combinations Entering 2011

The quarterback and head coach are considered to be the only two people in an NFL organization to be held accountable for whether the team is winning or losing. 

In order to have a successful franchise, it'd be an ideal scenario to have a great quarterback and head coach combination. Some of the best in NFL history include Joe Montana and Bill Walsh, and John Elway and Mike Shanahan—both combined for five Super Bowl victories. 

As I took a look at the current quarterback and head coach combinations right now, only a few came to mind. Some of them may be shocking and some may be obvious—you be the judge!

Here are the top five quarterback and head coach combinations in the NFL entering 2011. 

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @   TonySantorsa.   

5. Josh Freeman and Raheem Morris

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks to Head Coach Raheem Morris during a timeout against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty

Career record: 13-12

This be may be a bit shocking to some of you, both Josh Freeman and Raheem Morris are two emerging stars in the NFL. 

Freeman and Morris both took control of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, and they haven't looked back. They may have not made the playoffs, but their certainly on the path for success.

In an interview on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike, Raheem Morris described his relationship with Freeman as "special." He also went onto emphasize how they've both growing together and that "trust is a major part" of their relationship.

The Buccaneers are definitely in good hands with Morris and Freeman steering the ship—2011 should be a breakout year for the quarterback and head coach combination.   

4. Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 and head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate their 24 to 19 win over the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Career record: 40-18

Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin may have been the youngest quarterback and head coach combination to win a Super Bowl in NFL history. 

The only reason why these two aren't much higher on this list is that Roethlisberger had already won a Super Bowl with Bill Cowher back in 2005. 

Tomlin and Roethlisberger are not only close on the field, but they definitely share a close bond off the field. 

In a report by Sean Leahy of USA Today, Tomlin reveals that he and Roethlisberger contact each other on a daily basis. Tomlin went onto state that they talk "about football, about personal life; that's the nature of our relationship."

It certainly shows that Roethlisberger and Tomlin share a close bond as they've brought out the best in each other and have grown and developed into quite the dominant pair atop of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise. 

3. Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets talk on the field during warm ups against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapo

Career record: 19-12

As made clear on HBO's Hard Knocks, Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez share a close relationship with each other. 

Both Ryan and Sanchez arrived in New York in the 2009 off-season. In fact, Ryan and the Jets front office wanted Sanchez so much that they traded up 12 spots in the 2009 draft to select Sanchez to be their franchise quarterback. 

Since then, Ryan and Sanchez have combined for playoff appearances in their first two years and two AFC Title appearances. 

Only time will tell if Ryan and Sanchez can get the Jets over the "hump" and into a Super Bowl.

2. Drew Brees and Sean Payton

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees #9 leave the field in a golf cart after defeating the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami

Career record: 49-30

The quarterback and head coach combination of Drew Brees and Sean Payton can be summed up in one theme: Resurrection.

Brees and Payton joined the Saints organization in 2006 and not only resurrected Brees' career and the Saints franchise, but the entire city of New Orleans. 

Brees and Payton led the Saints, and the city of New Orleans, to a Super Bowl title in 2009—which was one of the most amazing victories in NFL history.

In Payton's offensive system, Brees has become one of the league's best passers, as he's completed an incredible 67 percent of his passes, thrown for 22,918 yards and 155 touchdowns while posting a stellar 95.9 quarterback rating. 

Payton and Brees have emerged as the league's top offensive combinations—they're a pair that a defensive coordinator would not want to game plan against. 

1. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Tom Brady #12 of New England Patriots checks the clock with his coach Bill Belichick in the fourth quarter against the Minnesita Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Get

Career record: 111-32

What is there to say about Tom Brady and Belichick? In my opinion, they're the greatest quarterback and head coach combination in NFL history.

During their 10 years in New England, the two have teamed up to win three Super Bowls and joining a very elite category among NFL greatness: a NFL dynasty.

Under Belichick, Brady has emerged as the NFL's fourth winningest quarterback in league history—not too shabby for a sixth-round draft pick.  

To sum up Brady and Belichick in just one word: winners. Their efforts together have won three 
three Super Bowl championships, four conference titles, six division crowns and 14 playoff victories. 

No one will ever know how Brady and Belichick would have fared on their own. But, together, they're not only the top quarterback and head coach combination in the league right now, but they're the best combination in NFL history.