With 13 games having been played by each team, there’s a good idea which NFL head coaches are secure, and which could be yesterday’s news. Plenty of feel-good stories, such as Detroit now 6-7 after a 1-6 start, and somehow being in the playoff conversation. Others failed miserably. Presenting the Denver Broncos, 3-10 after being listed as preseason contenders.
Check out which NFL coaches are thriving, and which are in deep you-know-what.
Let’s check the latest NFL picks, stats, injury reports, and NFL predictions. We’ve plenty of NFL expert picks for you to consider.
Flourishing at the Top
Sirianni – Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have enjoyed this season. Sitting at 12-1 after last season’s record of 9-8. Philly was a wild-card squad, now a true Super Bowl contender at +450. Nick Sirianni is Coach of the Year’s favorite, odds-on at -450. He has helped craft a near-perfect offense around quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is the MVP award favorite.
Campbell – Lions
If the Eagles’ Sirianni isn’t Coach of the Year, then Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions should win the award. There was off-season excitement around the Lions, but a 1-6 start dampened that. Detroit’s 5-1 over its last six games. Now at 6-7, there’s a chance to make the playoffs (+275). Improvement by the defense has been particularly impressive. A season ago, the Lions were a scrappy team that fought under Campbell. That’s now translating into wins.
Saleh – Jets
The New York Jets went 4-13 last season, one of the NFL’s worst defenses. Coach Robert Saleh built a reputation as one of the league’s best defensive minds. That wasn’t the case in his first season in Gotham. Now, at 7-6, the Jets are enjoying one of the best defensive turnarounds since 2000. They finished at the bottom in scoring defense in 2021. They’re now sixth. New York has a chance of ending the NFL’s longest postseason drought.
Taylor – Bengals
Coach Zac Taylor probably won’t be chosen Coach of the Year (he’s ar +7000), but the Bengals’ turnaround deserves plenty of praise. Taylor did a masterful job in Cincinnati’s odd-defying run to the Super Bowl a season ago. Remember, after a 32-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 8 this season, Cincy was 4-4, with injuries hitting and its playoff hopes fading rapidly. Cincinnati has now won five consecutive games, becoming a Super Bowl favorite at +1000. The offense has dramatically improved since the first month of the season.
Scoop on Free Play from the Locker Room
O’Connell – Vikings
There aren’t coaches who can help fuel a massive turnaround. That is exactly what Kevin O’Connell has done here. Remember last season, the Minnesota Vikings finished 8-9, then missed the playoffs. The offense had skilled players, yet lacked consistency. O’Connell has reshaped the offense, doing a fantastic job utilizing superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson (league-leading 1,500 receiving yards). Sitting at 10-3, with an excellent shot at winning the NFC North, it’s a great success in O’Connell’s first season. Regarding the playoffs…?
McDaniel – Dolphins
After losing back-to-back games in California, some are tempering expectations around the Miami Dolphins. They still stand at 8-5 and are in the playoff equation. When quarterback Tua Tagovailoa started/finished a game, Miami was 8-0, before the last couple. Just a few months ago, we were questioning if Tagovailoa could be a franchise quarterback with the Fish. Coach Mike McDaniel has done a remarkable job as a play-caller, shaping the offense and Tagovailoa.
Wilks – Panthers
The Carolina Panthers were, hands-down, the NFL’s worst team. At 1-4, coach Matt Rhule was fired, and the team traded its best two weapons, wide receiver Robby Anderson and running back Christian McCaffrey. Many stopped paying attention to Carolina, writing them off. Interim coach Steve Wilks established an identity. It’s been lean on the rushing, and dominant on defense. The Panthers are now 5-8, 3-1 in their last four. Carolina has a chance to win the pathetic NFC South, just trailing the 6-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wilks may earn the job, especially if the Panthers make a shocking run to the postseason.
Rivera – Commanders
Coach Ron Rivera is another under-the-radar name. The Washington Commanders were the definition of mediocre, 4-5 after nine weeks. Then, they handed the Eagles their only loss of the season in Week 10. Over the last four, the Commanders are 3-0-1 (a tie against the Giants). Washington will likely make a playoff appearance, Taylor Heinicke as the starting quarterback has been huge. Rivera indeed deserves recognition this season.
Daboll – Giants
It’s been decades since both New York teams were solid. Coach Brian Daboll has turned the New York Giants around in his first season at the Meadowlands. Starting the season at 6-1, finding ways to win every close game. Since then, however, the Giants are 1-4-1, and can still make the playoffs at 7-5-1. Daboll hasn’t many assets as of now, especially after injuries. Keeping New York relevant has been impressive.
Shanahan – 49ers
It’s nothing new. Coach Kyle Shanahan has been one of the NFL’s best for a few years. As usual, the San Francisco 49ers have good play-calling with a dominant run game. It doesn’t hurt that the Niners boast the best defense in the league Now, after the season-ending injury to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, Shanahan’s challenge is rookie Brock Purdy. In his first start, Purdy and the Niners handily whipped Tampa Bay, so perhaps San Francisco could be just fine. This is the 49ers’ third different starting quarterback of the season, but they continue to win.
Reid – Chiefs
It’s no surprise that the best offensive mind in football would be on this list. Coach Andy Reid continues to do a masterful job with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. This may be Reid’s best job to date. Despite losing wide receiver Tyreek Hill, offensively the team has actually been better. That’s been true with the run game in particular. However, the defense continues to be an issue. Reid may make a defensive coordinator change in the offseason, but now, Reid will chase his second ring.
McDermott – Bills
The Buffalo Bills looked destined to win their first-ever Super Bowl, that after starting 6-1 with several blowout wins. There were some issues (Week 9 to Week 12), but the Bills are seemingly back to normal. As the top seed in the AFC, Buffalo has remained the title favorite at +400. Coach Sean McDermott has been solid, but the postseason is Super Bowl or bust.
Services No Longer Required?
Kingsbury – Cardinals
So, after the Arizona Cardinals made last season’s playoffs (the first time since 2015), quarterback Kyler Murray and coach Kliff Kingsbury were extended in the offseason. They’ve regressed in a disastrous season. Finding no solutions on the defensive side of the ball, with an offense that’s been terribly inconsistent. Murray and Kingsbury’s relationship seems to have soured, too. Now, after Murray’s (non-contact) knee injury in a home loss to New England Monday night, they’re done. Perhaps finishing 4-13, so Kingsbury’s is the hottest seat in the NFL.
Hackett – Broncos
Many rookie coaches deserve a second season, especially when taking over a bad team. That wasn’t the case with Nathaniel Hackett, given the Denver Broncos’ job with an “offensive guru” background. Denver’s last in points per game (14.9), sitting at 3-10. It’s inexcusable with a team that had Super Bowl expectations. The defense has excelled, as it did last season without Hackett. While Injuries have occurred, this team’s three-win total through 13 weeks is not acceptable.
Smith – Texans
The worst team’s coach is always on the hot seat, though The Houston Texans’ season has gone as expected, even at 1-11-1. Coach Lovie Smith has always seemed to be a placeholder, especially since others avoided it. Smith is the same coach fired by the University of Illinois two seasons ago. Once Houston secures the top pick in the draft, the Texans can find their coach.
Allen – Saints
So, after Sean Payton’s retirement, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen took over as coach of the Saints. He wasn’t left with the best situation in New Orleans regarding the quarterback position, which was a mystery. That problem continues, combined with key injuries at other positions, including cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Allen will probably get another chance next season, despite some heat with a 4-9 record.
Bowles – Buccaneers
Through Tom Brady’s first two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they were 24-9 with one Super Bowl win. Coach Bruce Arians retired, and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles took the reins. This was a great situation indeed, so how could it fail? The Bucs are 6-7, in a tight divisional race as part of the NFL’s worst division. The defensive decline is particularly concerning. What used to be a dominant run defense is nearly nonexistent now. Bowles is 32-48 as a coach. He may just be a great coordinator, and that’s it.
McDaniels – Raiders
Josh McDaniels is another first-season (at this post) coach who has struggled mightily. The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to contend after acquiring superstar wide receiver Davante Adams. Instead, a 2-7 start while losing nearly every close game. Vegas seemed to have it figured out after winning three in a row but was given a reality check with one of the season’s worst losses against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14. McDaniels isn’t safe after a disappointing season.
Saturday – Colts
It was a shock to the NFL world when the Indianapolis Colts named Jeff Saturday as interim coach. His previous coaching experience was only at the high school level, perhaps just
“earning” the job due to status as a former Indy standout. Indianapolis was playing better, at first. Then, after back-to-back losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers (24-17) and Dallas Cowboys (54-19), it’s like one of the league’s worst teams. Saturday doesn’t deserve to remain at the job.
Stefanski – Browns
Cleveland Browns fans have been vocal about coach Kevin Stefanski, with his offensive play-calling constantly a sore spot. Week 14’s strange decision to have quarterback Jacoby Brissett on a fourth-and-one sneak was just the latest issue. Deshaun Watson should never come off of the field. Ultimately, this season was viewed as a wash after Watson’s 11-game suspension. However, if Stefanski continues making strange decisions, he may be a lame duck,
Staley – Chargers
Coach Brandon Staley lives and dies analytically. He’s not afraid to go on fourth down. More often than not, Staley hears criticism about being overly aggressive. The defense’s struggles are even more concerning, though, since the coach has a defensive background. However, Sunday’s win over the Dolphins could save Staley, at least now. The defense had an excellent game, despite injuries to their core. So, the Bolts are back in the playoff picture. If Los Angeles misses the postseason, Staley will feel the heat.
