It seems like anymore you are either a coach in the playoffs or you are a coach on the hot-seat. Now with the Titans Mike Mularkey you can also be both. Let’s take a look at this years playoff coaches and see how they rank?
1) Bill Belichick, New England Patriots – This is a no-brainer and probably needs no explanation. Belichick is the favorite to win his sixth Lombardi trophy, and even with the injuries the Patriots have sustained, don’t be surprised if he is holding the trophy at the end.
2) Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings – I know what you are thinking? Zimmer has never even won a playoff game! What Zimmer has done this year to overcome injuries has been nothing short of amazing. Don’t be shocked if he is in the Super Bowl when the smoke clears.
3) Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers – I think Tomlin’s clock management can leave a lot to be desired. But Tomlin is a great motivator and has had the Steelers towards the top of the AFC for over a decade. He has guided them to two Super Bowls, as well, winning one.
4) Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints – Payton has rebuilt the Saints into a dominant run team that can now play defense. After years of being out of the playoffs the Saints are a big-time threat with Drew Brees at the helm.
5) Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs – Reid can never seem to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl. But every time the playoffs roll around Reid it seems is always in them.
6) Doug Pederson, Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles would be the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl if it wasn’t for an injury to starting quarterback Carson Wentz. With that being said, the Eagles are a complete, well-coached team and will not be an easy out for anybody.
7) Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons – He cost his team the Super Bowl last year with terrible play calling and clock management. While I feel he is a good coach after last season, I find it hard to rate him any higher than this.
8) Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams – McVay has done a great job from the start when he hired Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips, all the way to the development of quarterback Jared Goff. Can he win in the playoffs? I don’t see why not. The Rams are solid on defense and have Todd Gurley running the ball.
9) Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers – Rivera is an average coach and he has done an average job with this team. I actually would rank him lower but he has a history of some playoff success, so it would be unfair to rank him any lower than this.
10) Doug Marrone, Jacksonville Jaguars – Marrone left Buffalo in 2014 after leaving the players a text instead of telling them in person. Outside of that, Marrone has done a lot in Jacksonville with what was given too him, which was a lot on defense and just enough on offense.
11) Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills – He sat Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Peterman against the Chargers, which in the end was a move that could have cost the Bills their first playoff berth since 1999. He has done a decent job with what he has but the Bills need some big upgrades in the off-season if they ever want to catch the Patriots.
12) Mike Mularkey, Tennessee Titans – I’m sorry but this team is better than 9-7 talent-wise and a first round playoff loss could cost him his job.
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