NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Playing Coaches into Unemployment?

Sometimes, the life of an NFL coach can be the loneliest one possible.

Everything that happens to the team falls on the shoulders of its leader.

When they win, the coach gets a lot of the credit. But if they lose...well that is another story.

They get all the publicity.

OUCH!

Coaches game plan for weeks, days and months. And sometimes, that too does not work. The coach can only do so much trying to will the team to victory. Players have to want it...to smell...it to touch it...and to feel it.

Some players and some teams, just do that.

And because of it, these teams are in disarray or shuffling their feet. And because of that shuffle, these coaches could be headed to the unemployment line.

Andy Reid, Philadelphia

The Eagles won last week. Will that quiet the critics?

Reid is an icon in Philadelphia, and he is unparalleled among coaches who have had the reins of this team.

The offense is very good  and the defense needs to be better.

The question may be how many games must Reid win to remain with the team?

Mike Shanahan, Washington

This is a matter of a team changing quarterbacks and having injuries hurt the team.

Really, it boils down to this: Will John Beck get the Redskins to the playoffs?

Shanahan decided to start Rex Grossman at the start of the season, and now, gives the ball to Beck.

If Beck wins, it could be the start of something great. If he loses, it could be the end of Shanahan as the head coach.

John Fox, Denver

Another team that won this week. But for 55 minutes, they looked like the worst team in the NFL.

This team is still trying to become a work in progress. Tim Tebow's heroics helped this team win, but he cannot play like that every game and expect to win.

John Fox is one year removed from a 2-14 season. And if they cannot win, he may be looking at losing his job.

Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona

Remember when this team was the "hot" pick in the NFL?

No longer does that happen.

The Cardinals have been awful since going to the Super Bowl.

The offense needs to play better, or a great coach may be on the way out.

Leslie Frazier, Minnesota

Can he really keep his job?

I'm not sure.

The offense looks good, then falters.

The defense looks good, then falters.

And when that happens, usually the coach takes the bullet.

Steve Spagnuolo, St. Louis

Steve Spagnuolo must hear footsteps.

Injuries and lack of decent play have caused many to question what happens to the head coach?

After three years, I guess there is some who feel there needs to be more improvement.

If the players cannot step up and show more effort, it could seal the coaches fate.

Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville

He is just trying to play out the string.

The Jaguars played better against the Ravens in getting a much needed win, but it will not be enough for the team to help save Del Rio's job.

If the team wins next week against Houston, then there may be something to salvaging the season.

But until he can get his players to play consistent ball and get into the end zone, he is still on the hot seat.

Tony Sparano, Miami

The Dolphins announced they would not fire their head coach this week.

I guess that was the good news.

But what happens when the team lets the coach down again?

Time keeps on ticking....

Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis

I actually thought there would be a change after Sunday night's 62-7 loss to the Saints.

This team just gave up on its coach.

As professionals, that is just sad.