The NFL playoffs are a time for celebration—and, in some instances, desperation.
Because the divisional spherical of the playoffs takes place this weekend, the stakes might be excessive for all concerned. That’s very true for every crew’s head coach, the place the end result of those winner-take-all video games can go a great distance towards shaping somebody’s job safety.
Not each teaching scenario is similar, in fact.
In order one other nice weekend of playoff soccer kicks off, listed below are the remaining eight coaches ranked so as of most determined to least determined for a win this weekend.
1. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
That is 12 months 4 for Sirianni in Philadelphia, and the strain is on for him and his teaching workers to indicate that they’ll win when it issues most. Sirianni has a terrific 48-20 report through the common season, together with a 14-3 mark this yr. The playoffs have been extra turbulent, as his Eagles have been knocked out of their first recreation in 2021 and 2023 however have been NFC champions in 2022. A loss towards the Rams this weekend would put a ton of scrutiny on Sirianni going ahead.
2. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Payments
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Payments head coach Sean McDermott reacts towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs through the second half for the 2024 AFC divisional spherical recreation at Highmark Stadium. credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities McDermott is in 12 months 8 in Buffalo, and he nonetheless is looking for his first journey to the Tremendous Bowl. A variety of that has to do with a sure dynasty in Kansas Metropolis that constantly has blocked the way in which within the postseason, however this yr presents one other nice likelihood for McDermott and the Payments to interrupt via. McDermott is 86-45 within the common season however 6-6 within the playoffs. This weekend presents a tricky take a look at towards the Ravens, and McDermott must discover a option to advance.
3. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell appears on at a timeout through the second half towards Buffalo Payments at Ford Discipline in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES Sure, it appears a bit of goofy to place Campbell on the No. 3 spot, however hear me out. First, that is the beginning of a special tier of desperation—Sirianni and McDermott are the clear high two (in no matter order you like). Campbell leads the second tier, maybe just for this weekend, as a result of a loss at residence towards the Commanders can be a giant blemish on his report. Campbell has fully modified the tradition for the higher in Detroit, however typically a franchise’s window for a championship is perhaps just a few seasons. The window is huge open proper now for the top-seeded Lions, they usually can’t falter towards a heavy underdog this weekend.
4. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Harbaugh is clearly an excellent coach, with double-digit wins six instances up to now seven seasons. However time is ticking in Baltimore, and Harbaugh’s Tremendous Bowl title got here a dozen years in the past within the 2012 season. Since then, he’s 4-6 within the postseason, and sooner or later the entrance workplace and the fan base are going to begin to marvel if he has what it takes to get again to the promised land.
5. DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik look on from the sphere earlier than the sport towards the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC wild card recreation at NRG Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Troy Taormina-Imagn Photos Ryans has gone 10-7 in back-to-back seasons in Houston and reached the playoffs in each of his first two years. That may be a actually spectacular begin to his teaching profession. It’s onerous to see main detrimental penalties if he loses this weekend, but when something, he is without doubt one of the coaches with essentially the most to realize from a attainable win. Think about if he and the Texans slay the dragon that’s Andy Reid and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. That might elevate his standing nationally and strengthen his job safety that rather more as he appears to mould the Texans right into a title contender.
6. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay coaches towards the New York Giants through the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports activities It’s onerous to consider that McVay is barely 38—he doesn’t flip 39 till subsequent week. It looks as if he has been teaching ceaselessly already. Now in his eighth yr in Los Angeles, McVay has a Tremendous Bowl ring from the 2021 season and two NFC titles (2018, 2021). He’s 8-4 within the postseason and helped the Rams overcome a gradual begin this yr to win the NFC West and knock off the 14-win Minnesota Vikings within the wild-card spherical. Now he goes up towards Sirianni and the Eagles, and the strain is principally off because the Rams look to drag off an upset and produce extra playoff magic.
7. Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
Quinn and the Commanders are enjoying with home cash proper now. They’ve outperformed expectations at each flip, going 12-5 within the common season and incomes a highway playoff win towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One other playoff problem, this time at Detroit, can solely assist with Jayden Daniels’ growth going ahead. The longer term is wanting vibrant for the Commanders.
8. Andy Reid, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Reid is headed straight to the Corridor of Fame earlier than too lengthy—the one query is what number of wins and what number of championships he brings with him to Canton. He has three Tremendous Bowl titles up to now 5 seasons, and he’ll attempt to make it 4 out of six this yr. A loss to the Texans this weekend clearly wouldn’t be good, however Reid’s future is fully as much as him. He has earned it by this level.
