NFL Playoff Scenarios: Which Doomed Postseason Bids Will Cost Coaches Their Job?

There are just three games left in the careers of the following coaches. Their team's eventual failed attempt to capture a spot in the postseason will be more than their career's can stand.

Norv Turner, San Diego Chargers

The December turnaround won't be enough to save Norv Turner this year.

The Chargers still have an outside shot at the playoffs, but they have to win out, and with games against the Ravens, at the Lions and at the Raiders left, that is not going to happen.

Turner has the backing of his star QB, Phillip Rivers, but that is not going to be enough.

Norv has kept this team moving the sticks, but their defense has fallen off the map.

The Chargers will be looking for a fresh start this offseason, and for a coach that can help fix their shoddy defense.

Turner has had an excellent run as the Chargers coach. He is in his fifth season as the Bolts head coach and has a 47-30 record.

But the perception is that he has underachieved with talented teams.

The regression the team showed this year is more than his status as coach can endure. It is clear that the Chargers organization needs a shot in the arm. 

Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are right in the thick of the playoff race. They are tied with the Giants for the lead in the division.

But they are likely going to have to beat the Giants in New York in the final week of the season, and the way they are blowing games late that is not going to happen.

It is in that late game failure where Garrett's job will meet its end. The Cowboys loss two weeks ago to the Cardinals was directly related to Garret's misuse of timeouts at the end of regulation.

Dallas then followed that up with another late game collapse to the Giants.

Jones was asked if Garrett was on the hot seat following the loss. CBS Sports' Will Brinson quoted Jones as answering the question by saying, "The answer is no. We are just getting started here."

However, anyone who has followed any major sport for more than a season knows that owners denying a coach's job is in jeopardy is the first sign that a coach's job is in jeopardy.

Missing the playoffs will be more than Jones can stomach, and he will look for a new coach.

Hue Jackson, Oakland Raiders

It's been a wild season for Jackson. After the death of his boss Al Davis, Hue has essentially been the team's acting GM.

Jackson had to deal with losing quarterback Jason Campbell to injury, which led to him pulling off a huge trade for Carson Palmer.

Palmer's inability to grow in this offense will now lead to Jackson's demise.

Two weeks ago, things were working out fine. The Raiders had a one-game lead in the division and had won three straight.

Since then, they have been an embarrassment. They have been outscored by a combined score of 80-30 in their past two games.

The team has regressed in every way, and have looked ill-prepared to play. They are now one game behind Denver in the AFC West and are a long shot to make the playoffs.

They will have to finish strong to have any shot at the postseason, and their is nothing in their recent play to suggest that will happen.

Given all that has transpired, Hue might be able to retain his job and get one more season to prove his worth.

However, this organization is likely going to bring in a new GM, and there is the very real possibility that the GM will not want to bring back a coach that oversaw a team that regressed so badly to end the season.