NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the Best Play-Callers

There is a general formula that teams follow in order to win the Super Bowl.  First, they need talent.  Second, they need a good coaching staff.  If these two needs are met, the chances of success rise exponentially. 

Being an elite team requires that both these needs are met, not just one.  Looking at any past Super Bowl champion, the teams had great players as well as great play-callers. 

Particular coaching is needed to come up with the right schemes, preparation and overall play-call decisions.  From there, the players have to have the ability to go out and execute. 

Great players and equally good coaching staffs are leading the “elite” teams in the NFL to that elusive Lombardi Trophy. 

To rank the “best” play-callers is never a definite science due to all the different factors that makes up a good coach.  However, some general factors will come into play with most rankings. 

The leaders in each division are given the top spots due to their record and position.  From then on, record has a majority factor in deciding which teams gain each ranking.  Depending on if a team is struggling or on a hot streak, their rankings will also factor that into account. 

32. Indianapolis Colts (0-11)

With no wins this season it is tough to say that this coaching staff has done anything remotely resembling productivity. 

Understanding that they lost Peyton Manning, who is potentially a Hall of Fame player, going winless this far into the season is inexcusable. 

31. St. Louis Rams (2-9)

The Rams have no real offensive threats except Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford. 

Bradford is struggling in his sophomore season which means more carries should be going to Jackson. 

They still only have two wins this entire season.  

30. Minnesota Vikings (2-9)

With the exception of Adrian Peterson and the tough defensive front, this team is not looking too solid.  

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)

The Jaguars was just sold to a new owner and the head coach was fired.  Things do not look good for the near future.  

28. Miami Dolphins (3-8)

They do not have a franchise quarterback and with the exception of a pretty decent rush defense, the rest of the team is not looking too good either.  

27. San Diego Chargers (4-7)

San Diego possesses probably one of the most blatant situations of a lack of proper play-calling. 

The San Diego Chargers have plenty of talent with an elite quarterback and great defense.  Yet, after a six-game losing streak they are back to third place in their division and fighting simply to win a game rather than looking towards the postseason.  

26. Kansas City Chiefs (4-7)

They are struggling with a new quarterback who has thrown six interceptions and no touchdowns. 

It is going to be a long road for the Chiefs this season.  

25. Washington Redskins (4-7)

With Rex Grossman leading the team they seem to be doing fine.  However, Grossman does not seem like a franchise quarterback and until they find one, they will always be struggling to get into the playoffs.  

24. Cleveland Browns (4-7)

This situation is tough with a young quarterback in Colt McCoy.  However they do have a pretty good back in Peyton Hillis that they have had a tough time using correctly.  

23. Philadelphia Eagles (4-7)

The “dream team” Eagles are far from matching up with their hype.

Arguably one of the most talented teams in the NFL, the Eagles have stumbled to a 4-7 record. 

Whether that is because of the coaching or lack of production from each player on both sides of the ball, the Eagles are looking to just win a game rather than trying to win a Super Bowl.  

22. Arizona Cardinals (4-7)

With the exception of the rushing attack that is ranked 19th in the league, the rest of their team stats are all at best 20th in the league. 

The Cardinals are struggling and it is a combination of talent and coaching that is to blame.  

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

They are a very good team with a quarterback who started off playing like a legitimate starting quarterback.

Unfortunately the defense was not helping out the offense and the pressure piled on the offense.  Soon after, they could not hold up and are currently on a five-game losing streak.  

20. Tennessee Titans (6-5)

With Chris Johnson not performing the way he was paid to, this offense is going to have some hardships.

Luckily for them, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is playing at a fairly high level.  

19. Detroit Lions (7-4)

They started off hot and if they had maintained that level, they would have been ranked higher.

Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson need to start getting back in sync or else winning is going to be extremely difficult, especially when playing teams such as the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

18. Seattle Seahawks (4-7)

Even with a team that has a maximum of one or two household names, the coaching staff has managed to squeeze out four wins and a few against some impressive teams.  

17. New York Jets (6-5)

They are struggling and barely able to make the playoffs.  Although they have a shot, the chances are slim.

It seems they have lost their identity of a running team.  They are relying too heavily on Mark Sanchez and that is why they are barely over .500.  The Jets thrived on their defense and the run game.  Sanchez was there to manage the game and help out when they stacked the box.

The Jets have to get back to that style of play in order for them to start winning again.  

16. New York Giants (6-5)

Tom Coughlin is a tough coach and players around the league know he is an old-school type of person. 

He loves to run the ball and lucky for him he has a Brandon Jacobs, a 6’4” 260-pound back.  Also, Eli Manning is not too bad throwing the ball either.  

15. Chicago Bears (7-4)

They understand the bread and butter for this offense is in Matt Forte.  They have built the offense around him and are winning.

However, with the injury to Jay Cutler, it will be interesting to see how the play-calling changes, or if it even will.  

14. Atlanta Falcons (7-4)

They have the pieces to win.  Matt Ryan is a quality quarterback and Michael Turner is one of the premier backs in the league.

The defense is also full of studs and playing in the dome is not an easy feat for the Falcons’ opponents.  

13. Buffalo Bills (5-6)

Surprisingly they have done well this year.  Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing much better than years prior and the rest of the team is rallying around him.

The Bills will be a team to look out for in the future.  

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

Nothing special.

They are consistently playing well with the focus being on the defense.

Offensively, they have some big plays from their quarterback but most of the damage is done with possession control and the run game.  

11. Carolina Panthers (3-8)

All the credit should not be going to the players but also the head coach and offensive coordinator. 

Even with a rookie quarterback, this team is ranked within the top 10 in both rush and passing. 

The play-calling has been spectacular in using Cam Newton in an effective way.  Although the team’s record is nothing that is spectacular, it is hard to argue that the play-calling has been spot on in order to use the offensive pieces correctly.  

10. Denver Broncos (6-5)

Although they are not winning their division or even having a top-10 record, they deserve to be up here based on the shift in schemes that was necessary for them to acquire six wins. 

With Tim Tebow at the helm, it was vital for them to run an unconventional offensive package. 

Since the start of Tebow, they have marched towards a 5-1 win record and although all the players are working hard, the coaching staff is working equally if not harder to make sure Tebow is put in the right position to succeed.   

9. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

The Cincinnati Bengals are being coached by some of the best in the league.

The offense is led by rookie Andy Dalton and has acquired a record of 7-4.  Unfortunately for them, they play in the AFC North that is dominated by the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers

8. Dallas Cowboys (7-4)

As of late, the Cowboys are playing pretty good football.  Tony Romo is connecting with his receivers and the defense has stepped up.

The play-calling is definitely more effective and it looks like the Cowboys are on their way towards a legitimate playoff spot.  

7. Oakland Raiders (7-4)

Who would have thought the Oakland Raiders would be first in their division this year? 

The offense is being led by free-agent pickup Carson Palmer and the highly efficient play of the running backs and offensive line.  

6. Baltimore Ravens (8-3)

With an average quarterback (for now) in Joe Flacco, the team is still winning the tough AFC North.

The defense has much to do with the team's success, however the coaching staff is doing an excellent job of calling plays and maintaining a winning record for this squad.  

5. Houston Texans

Aside from the passing game, which will most likely struggle due to the injury to both the starting and backup quarterback, the team is playing excellent football. 

They are ranked in the top 10 in both rush and pass defense, as well as rush yards per game on the offensive side.  

4. San Francisco 49ers (9-2)

The 49ers have had the biggest turnaround in recent memory in the NFL in just one short year. 

In that year, the team switched the head coach and a few smaller-name players.  The core group of players from a year ago is still in tact, which makes this feat all the more incredible. 

Jim Harbaugh coming into this team is probably the biggest example of the power of proper coaching and play-calling.  

3. New England Patriots (8-3)

Bill Belichick leads the Patriots to the No. 1 seed in the AFC North. 

His plays are methodical and his approach is numbers-oriented.  It also helps that he has a Hall of Fame quarterback in Tom Brady leading the offense.  

2. New Orleans Saints (8-3)

New Orleans is also playing at a great pace right now.  They have the best passing attack in the league and the rush is also ranked in the top 10. 

The offense is looking almost unstoppable. 

Sean Payton is a play-calling guru and nothing has been shown to prove otherwise.  

1. Green Bay Packers (11-0)

There really is nothing much to say here.  The Green Bay Packers are undefeated. 

They average 34.7 points per game and have no indication that they are about to slow down.  Green Bay is playing so well that even as Week 10 approached, media was speculating on an undefeated season.